Portion-conscious lunch snackers
You want to add nuts to your canteen lunch while keeping track of the energy in the amount you eat. Compare labels using the same quantity, and decide on your portion in advance.
Who is this buying guide for?
Ingredient-conscious eaters
You’re looking for a suitable unsalted option and want to know which nuts, additives and allergens it contains. For loose products sold in a canteen, you’ll need to ask the seller for this information.
Practical on-the-go snackers
You bring nuts from home and want to portion them easily and reseal the pack properly. Follow the storage instructions for the variety you choose.
What should you look for?
First compare the energy per 100 g and calculate it for the amount you plan to take with you. Then check the ingredients and how to store the pack.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who might find this most important? |
|---|---|---|
| Energy per portion | Compare kcal per 100 g, then calculate the energy in the amount you’ll actually eat. | If I want to choose how much to have with lunch, I check the nutritional information and weigh out my portion. Around 50% of consumers give the energy in a portion the greatest priority. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the ingredients, salt content and information about the nuts present and possible traces. If you’re buying loose nuts, ask for specific allergen information. | If I want to know which nuts and added ingredients I’m eating, I check the exact variety and its allergen information. Around 30% of consumers prioritise ingredients. |
| Taking them with you and storage | Check the net weight, whether the pack reseals securely once opened and the product’s storage instructions. | If I bring nuts from home, I want to portion out my lunch in advance and store the rest properly. Around 20% of consumers give convenience when taking food with them the greatest priority. |
Common buying mistakes
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Assuming unsalted or unroasted means low in calories
These terms describe the salt content or how the nuts are prepared, not their energy content. The products reviewed exceed the European threshold for the ‘low energy’ claim.
Check the kcal per 100 g on the label and calculate the amount for the portion you’ll actually eat.
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Treating the whole pack as one snack portion
The packs reviewed contain more than the 25 g portion used for comparison. This 25 g is an example for calculations, not personal calorie advice.
Decide in advance how much you want to take with you, then seal the rest securely.
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Relying on appearance to identify allergens in loose nuts
You can’t always tell which nuts or other allergens are present just by looking at what’s in a bowl.
Before buying, ask the canteen for allergen information about the specific nuts. The NVWA explains what information must be available when food is sold unpackaged.
Brands to consider
Duyvis
Relevant options include Duyvis Unsalted Peanuts and Oven Roasted Nut Mix.
- Nutritional and allergen information is available for Duyvis Unsalted Peanuts.
- Check the ingredients and nutritional information for each variety; unsalted doesn’t, by itself, say anything about its energy content.
Albert Heijn
The AH own brand offers unsalted roasted almonds in a 190 g pack, among other products.
- The product information lists ingredients, nutritional values and allergens.
- The pack warns that other nuts and peanuts may be present. Bear this in mind if cross-contact is a concern.
Jumbo
Jumbo Unroasted Nut Mix is an unsalted mix of walnuts, hazelnuts, cashews and almonds.
- The product information lists nutritional values per 100 g and per 25 g, as well as storage instructions.
- Unroasted describes how the nuts are prepared; it doesn’t automatically make a nut mix low in calories.
Lidl
Nuts are part of the Alesto range, alongside dried fruit and savoury snacks.
- Alesto is a useful range to look out for when searching for different types of nuts.
- Check the nutritional values and ingredients for each variety; the way the brand is presented doesn’t mean it offers a calorie advantage.
ALDI
Trader Joe’s Unsalted Nut Mix is described as a blend of almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts and Brazil nuts.
- The product description lists an unsalted mix containing several types of nuts.
- Always check the information for the exact variety and pack.
PLUS
The PLUS own brand offers an unroasted, unsalted nut mix in a 200 g stand-up pouch.
- The product information lists four types of nuts, their percentages, nutritional values and allergens.
- This information applies to the variety mentioned and not necessarily to the entire range.
Nut products at Joybuy
These products may suit you if you want to portion out nuts for lunch yourself. Check the energy, ingredients and allergen information for each variety.
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Jia Zhou Yuan Ye Original almond kernels 160 g
An option if you’d like to weigh out almonds to have with lunch.
Joybuy’s product information lists 100% almond kernels, 622 kcal per 100 g and a net weight of 160 g. The pack can be resealed after opening.
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g'woon unsalted peanuts 250 g
A good fit for a peanut snack with lunch if you want to choose the portion size yourself.
Joybuy’s product information lists 99% peanuts and sunflower oil. The nutritional value is 2690 kJ and the salt content is 0.02 g per 100 g; the pack contains 250 g.
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g'woon raw unsalted almonds 200 g
An option if you’re looking for almonds with no added salt or oil and want to weigh out your own portion.
Joybuy’s product information lists 591 kcal per 100 g and a net weight of 200 g. The pack can be resealed after opening; store the product in a cool, dry place.
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g'woon roasted unsalted cashews 200 g
An option if you’d like to weigh out roasted cashews for lunch.
Joybuy’s product information lists cashews as an ingredient, 596 kcal per 100 g and a net weight of 200 g. The pack can be resealed after opening; store the product in a cool, dry place.
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g'woon unroasted unsalted mixed nuts 500 g
An option if you want to divide a selection of nuts into a portion of your choice for lunch.
Joybuy’s product information lists hazelnuts, walnuts, almonds and cashews, 663 kcal per 100 g and a net weight of 500 g. It also states that the product may contain traces of peanuts and other nuts.
Frequently asked questions
Can ordinary nuts be described as low in calories?
Not if they exceed the threshold for that claim. According to the European Commission, solid foods must contain no more than 40 kcal (170 kJ) per 100 g to qualify as ‘low energy’. The nut products compared here are above that limit. It’s better to state the energy content of a clearly defined portion.
Is 25 g a recommended daily amount you must stick to?
No. In this buying guide, 25 g is a portion used for calculations and comparisons, not a personal serving size for everyone. Voedingscentrum information about a portion doesn’t replace the nutritional values for the variety you buy.
What can you ask about loose nuts in a university canteen?
Ask which specific nuts and other allergens are present. The NVWA explains that sellers must tell you which nuts are being sold unpackaged. They can give this information verbally, as long as it’s clearly signposted that you can ask for it.
How should you store nuts you bring from home?
Follow the instructions on the pack and seal it securely. Voedingscentrum recommends storing nuts in a dry place in a well-sealed container; additional instructions may apply to a specific variety.
What if you still have the recalled ALDI cashews?
Do not eat Trader Joe’s Unsalted Cashews 170 g with barcode 2003020120930 and best-before date 23-09-2026. The NVWA warning issued on 20 May 2026 mentions possible metal fragments. Check that the pack matches this barcode and date.