Festival-goers who keep an eye on portions
You want to weigh your snack and work out its calories based on the portion you’ll actually take with you, rather than relying on words such as unsalted or roasted.
Who is this relevant to?
Fans of simple nut snacks
You’re looking for unsalted nuts with a simple ingredient list, and want to compare ingredients and salt separately from energy content.
Festival-goers who bring their own snacks
You want packaging that you can reseal on the go and that will keep the nuts dry. Check the rules for the festival you’re attending, too.
What should you look for in nuts for a festival?
First, compare the energy per 100 grams and the amount you plan to eat. Then look separately at the ingredients, salt content and how you’ll store the packet while you’re out and about.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this most relevant to? |
|---|---|---|
| Energy per portion | Compare kcal per 100 grams and weigh the amount you want to take with you. A 25-gram portion can be used as an example calculation, not as personal dietary advice. | If you want to choose your festival snack portion mindfully, you’ll want to know how much you’re actually eating; around 46% of consumers give calories per portion the highest priority. |
| Ingredients and salt | Read the ingredients list and check the salt per 100 grams. Assess any coating separately from the energy content. | If you’re looking for unsalted nuts with a simple ingredient list, you’ll want to assess the ingredients and salt separately; around 27% of consumers put this choice first. |
| Taking them with you and storage | Check whether the packaging can be resealed and follow the storage instructions. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises keeping nuts tightly sealed and dry. | If you’re taking snacks with you and want to store them after opening, practical resealable packaging is important; around 27% of consumers give convenience on the go the highest priority. |
Common buying mistakes
-
Assuming unsalted means low in calories
The PLUS and Jumbo product pages list 598 and 622 kcal per 100 grams respectively for the cashew varieties checked. For the EU ‘low energy’ claim, solid foods must contain no more than 40 kcal (170 kJ) per 100 grams. The European Commission sets out the conditions for this claim, and the NVWA refers to the applicable European rules.
Compare energy and salt separately, and assess a weighed portion rather than relying on the word ‘unsalted’ alone.
-
Assuming coated nuts always contain more kcal
According to Jumbo’s product information, Duyvis Cocktail contains 541 kcal per 100 grams, compared with 598 and 622 kcal for the cashew varieties mentioned. This difference by weight doesn’t mean the products have the same composition: Duyvis is listed as containing 50% peanuts and 1.4 grams of salt per 100 grams.
Compare the nutrition table and ingredients for the exact variety. Don’t draw a general conclusion about the nutritional choice from one lower kcal figure.
-
Treating a small bag as one portion
Jumbo describes its 130-gram resealable pack of unsalted cashews as containing around five portions. So a small pack isn’t automatically a single portion.
Weigh out how much you want to eat in advance, then seal the rest again.
-
Losing allergen information when portioning snacks in advance
The NVWA says that allergen information should appear on the label of pre-packed products. Peanuts and nuts are separate allergens, and a coating may contain other allergens too. For example, Jumbo’s product information for Duyvis Cocktail lists milk and wheat as well as peanuts.
Keep the original packaging or a clear photo of the label, and check the exact variety before sharing snacks.
Brands to compare
Duyvis
Worth considering if you’re looking for a savoury, coated peanut snack.
- Jumbo’s product page lists Duyvis Cocktail, in a 275-gram pack, as containing 50% peanuts and 541 kcal per 100 grams.
- The same page lists 1.4 grams of salt per 100 grams. These details apply to this variety, not the entire brand.
Albert Heijn
Worth considering if you’re looking for unsalted pistachios.
- Albert Heijn’s product page describes roasted AH Unsalted Pistachios in a 200-gram pack.
- The portion information refers to shelled pistachios. Being unsalted doesn’t, in itself, tell you anything about the energy content.
Jumbo
Worth considering if you want to compare unsalted cashew varieties or different pack sizes.
- Jumbo’s product pages list 99% cashews for the 200-gram pack and describe the 130-gram variety as easy to reseal.
- The varieties checked differ in composition and pack weight; resealability applies specifically to the 130-gram pack.
Lidl
Alesto is Lidl’s range of nuts, dried fruit and savoury snacks, among other things.
- Lidl’s range page features a variety of snacks to explore.
- The range page doesn’t confirm that any specific nut variety is low in calories; check the product’s own nutrition table.
ALDI
Worth considering if you’re looking for roasted, unsalted cashews.
- ALDI’s Dutch product page lists Trader Joe’s roasted, unsalted cashews in a 250-gram pack.
- An NVWA warning dated 20 May 2026 concerned a separate 170-gram pack with barcode 2003020120930 and best-before date 23-09-2026; the warning doesn’t apply to all ALDI nuts.
PLUS
Worth considering if you’re looking for unsalted, unroasted cashews with a simple ingredients list.
- PLUS’s product page lists cashews as the ingredient and 598 kcal per 100 grams for the 200-gram pack.
- These details apply to the variety checked and don’t represent the entire PLUS range.
Nut snacks at Joybuy
This selection includes a range of nut snacks and pack sizes. Compare the nutrition per 100 grams and weigh the amount you want to take with you; the product name alone isn’t enough to call a snack low in calories.
Image unavailable
Titiz roasted chestnuts, 125 g
An option if you want to take roasted chestnuts with you. If calories are your main concern, compare the nutritional information on the pack.
Pack weight: 125 g.
Image unavailable
Jiazhouyuanye Original Flavour Large Cashew Nuts, 160 g
A cashew variety to compare if you’re looking for nuts as a festival snack. Check the nutrition information and ingredients on the pack.
The product name specifies Original Flavour, Large and a pack weight of 160 g.
Image unavailable
Anatolia Badem Natural almonds, 500 g
An almond variety for anyone considering almonds as a snack. Choose an amount that suits your portion and check the nutritional information on the label.
Pack weight: 500 g.
Image unavailable
g'woon roasted, unsalted cashews, 200 g
An option if you’re looking for roasted, unsalted cashews. Compare kcal per 100 grams and weigh the amount you want to eat.
Pack weight: 200 g.
Image unavailable
Golden Turtle Premium raw peanuts with skins, 500 g
An option if you’re considering peanuts as a snack. Check the preparation instructions and nutritional information on the pack before taking them with you.
The product name specifies raw peanuts with skins and a pack weight of 500 g.
Frequently asked questions
When can you call nuts ‘low in calories’?
For the EU ‘low energy’ claim, solid foods must contain no more than 40 kcal (170 kJ) per 100 grams. The European Commission sets out this limit, while the NVWA explains that nutrition claims must comply with European rules. A smaller portion doesn’t change the value per 100 grams.
How do I compare nuts when the portions are different?
First compare the kcal per 100 grams, or calculate both products for the same weight: kcal per 100 grams × portion weight divided by 100. The 25 grams used by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre as an example portion is a basis for comparison, not personal portion advice.
How should I store an opened bag of nuts at a festival?
Keep the nuts tightly sealed and dry. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends storing them this way; also follow the storage instructions on your product’s packaging.
What should I look out for if someone in my group has a food allergy?
Keep the original packaging and check the allergen information before sharing snacks. The NVWA treats peanuts and nuts as separate allergens, and a coating may contain other allergens too. Always check the label for the exact variety.
Which ALDI cashews were covered by the NVWA warning?
The NVWA warning dated 20 May 2026 concerned Trader Joe’s unsalted cashews in a 170-gram pack, with barcode 2003020120930 and best-before date 23-09-2026, due to possible metal fragments. The warning applies to that specific batch, not to the separate 250-gram pack.