For shoppers looking for less fat
You want a savoury snack with demonstrably less fat than a comparable standard version. So check which products the claim compares.
Who are these choices relevant to?
For shoppers who want to manage their portions
You want to take a measured amount with you when you’re out and about, so you look at the energy per 100 g as well as how much you actually eat.
For shoppers looking for unsalted nuts
You want to avoid added salt, so you check the ingredients and nutritional information. Unsalted does not automatically mean low in fat or free from added oil.
What should you look for in nuts for your holiday?
First decide whether you’re looking for an explicit comparative fat claim. Then check the energy per 100 g and your portion, as well as the salt, oil and ease of storage.
| What to consider | What to look for when buying | Who this matters more to |
|---|---|---|
| Comparative fat claim | Check which products are used for comparison and compare the fat per 100 g. | If I choose savoury coated nuts, I want to know whether the claim is based on a comparable standard version. Around 36% of shoppers prioritise a demonstrable reduction in fat. |
| Energy and portion size | Compare kcal per 100 g and decide how much you’ll take with you or eat. | If I pack a snack for when I’m out and about, I want to choose my own portion, even if the nuts don’t carry a ‘less fat’ claim. Around 29% of shoppers put portion size and energy content first. |
| Salt and added ingredients | Check the salt content and ingredients list separately for added oil or a coating. | If I’m looking for unsalted nuts, I also want to know what else has been added to the product. Around 21% of shoppers prioritise the ingredients. |
| Taking them with you and storage | Choose an amount that suits how you’ll use them and follow the storage advice on the packaging. | If I take nuts on a day out, I want to be able to reseal the packaging and store them appropriately. Around 14% of shoppers make taking them with them and storage their top priority. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming oven-roasting means less fat
Oven-roasting without added oil tells you something about how a product is prepared, but it does not automatically mean the finished product has a lower fat content. For example, Albert Heijn lists 47 g of fat per 100 g for Duyvis Oven roasted nutmix.
Compare the nutritional values per 100 g, and don’t treat a preparation method as a substitute for an explicit, relevant fat claim.
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Assuming unsalted means oil-free
The ingredients for Jumbo Cashewnoten Ongezouten 200 g list 99% cashew nuts and sunflower oil. The ingredients list for PLUS Cashewnoten ongezouten ongebrand lists cashew nuts.
If added oil matters to you, check the ingredients for the exact version you’re buying.
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Counting a whole bag as one snack portion
The pack size and nutritional values per portion aren’t the same thing. Voedingscentrum recommends a 25 g portion for a handful of mixed unsalted nuts; that’s not the contents of a full pack.
Decide in advance how much you want to take with you, and reseal the rest properly according to the advice on the packaging.
You may be left with more than you need if the pack size doesn’t suit how you use the product or how you can store it.
Relevant brands for reference
Duyvis
The product listings show different preparation methods and claims. These apply to specific versions, not the brand as a whole.
- For Duyvis Oven baked smoked paprika, Albert Heijn listed a claim of 30% less fat than the named standard Duyvis Borrelnootjes/Crac a Nut and Tijgernootjes/Tigernuts.
- Albert Heijn lists this version as discontinued. The same product listing gives 26 g of fat and 509 kcal per 100 g; this is not the same as a ‘low fat’ claim.
- For Duyvis Oven roasted nutmix, Albert Heijn lists 47 g of fat and 605 kcal per 100 g. Dry-roasting therefore does not prove a reduction in fat.
Albert Heijn
AH’s own-brand range includes an unsalted cashew option; the product information relates to the 170 g version.
- Albert Heijn lists 0 g of salt per 100 g for the cashew nuts reviewed.
- The same product information lists 50 g of fat and 622 kcal per 100 g. Unsalted is not a claim about fat reduction.
Jumbo
Jumbo Cashewnoten Ongezouten 200 g is a product listing for unsalted cashew nuts.
- Jumbo lists 99% cashew nuts in the ingredients.
- The ingredients list also includes sunflower oil, so in this case unsalted does not mean no added oil.
Lidl
Lidl names Alesto as its nut range and describes products including Way To Go cashew nuts.
- Lidl lists Way To Go cashew nuts as Fairtrade.
- This information about the brand and product range does not, on its own, tell you anything about fat reduction or the nutritional values of all Alesto products.
ALDI
ALDI lists roasted, unsalted Trader Joe's cashew nuts in a 250 g pack.
- ALDI’s product listing describes the nuts as roasted and unsalted.
- These characteristics do not confirm a ‘less fat’ claim or mean the product is low in fat.
PLUS
PLUS Cashewnoten ongezouten ongebrand 200 g is worth considering if you’re looking for unroasted cashew nuts with cashew nuts as the ingredient.
- PLUS lists cashew nuts as the ingredient and gives the following values per 100 g: 46,5 g of fat, 598 kcal and 0,07 g of salt.
- A simple ingredients list and an unsalted version do not make the product low in fat.
Joybuy products for dry-roasted snacks
This product selection suits anyone looking for cashew nuts roasted without added oil or fat; dry-roasting does not prove a reduction in fat.
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Duyvis Dry Roasted Cashews, 125 g
Suited to anyone looking for cashew nuts roasted without added fat or oil; this does not automatically make them low in fat or lower in fat.
According to the product description, it contains 43 g of fat and 586 kcal per 100 g. The cashew nuts are roasted with sea salt.
The 125 g pack is described as containing 4–5 portions.
Frequently asked questions
Does low fat mean the same as less fat?
No. For the ‘low fat’ claim, the European Commission sets a maximum of 3 g of fat per 100 g for solid foods. The Nederlands Bakkerij Centrum describes ‘less fat’ as a comparative claim that requires at least a 30% reduction compared with similar products. So check the exact reference product and the nutritional values for the version you’re considering.
Does 30% less fat also mean 30% fewer calories?
No, these claims are not the same. The European Commission sets separate conditions for a reduced energy value, including an energy reduction of at least 30%. So make sure you also compare the kcal per 100 g.
Does dry-roasting prove that nuts contain less fat?
No. Dry-roasting without added oil or fat describes how the nuts are prepared, but does not automatically tell you the fat content of the finished product. The Joybuy product description for Duyvis Dry Roasted Cashews lists 43 g of fat per 100 g; compare this with the nutritional information for other products.
How should I store savoury coated nuts during a holiday?
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging and seal the contents properly. Voedingscentrum advises storing savoury coated nuts in a cool, dry, dark place. For opened packs, the Bewaarwijzer recommends 2–5 days in a kitchen cupboard. This advice does not guarantee that they’ll keep in a hot car or tent.
What should I look out for with allergies or nuts for young children?
Check the ingredients and allergen information for the exact version you’ve chosen. The Nederlandse Voedsel- en Warenautoriteit points out that sellers must inform consumers about allergens before purchase. Product listings for whole nuts and peanuts also warn of a choking risk for young children; follow the warning on the product you choose.