Regular lunch planners
If you often prepare packed lunches, a 500 g pack can be handy for portioning out yourself. Albert Heijn and PLUS have examples of unsalted nut mixes in this size. Check, too, that you can store the opened pack properly.
Who is this buying guide for?
Occasional nut eaters
If you only buy nuts now and then, or want to see which mix you like best, a 200 g pack means buying less at a time. Jumbo has a 200 g unsalted mix, while ALDI describes a resealable, unroasted mix in the same size.
Parents following school or allergy policies
First check whether nuts or peanuts are allowed under your school’s policy and are suitable given any personal allergy requirements. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergen information for prepacked products appears on the label. Read the information for the exact product variant.
What should you look for when buying?
First check the school’s policy and any allergy requirements. Then work out how much you need based on how often you use nuts, and compare the ingredients, portions and storage instructions.
| What to consider | What should you look for? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| School policies and allergens | Check your school’s policy and the ingredients and allergen information for the exact product. | When I buy nuts for a school lunch, I want to know first whether they’re allowed under the school’s policy and meet any allergy requirements. Around 29% of consumers put school policies and allergen information first. |
| Quantity and usage | Choose a pack size that suits how much you use, and compare the ingredients in different mixes. | If my household eats nuts regularly, I want to keep enough in stock without buying more than we’ll use. Around 29% of consumers put choosing the right amount to keep in stock first. |
| Salt and preparation method | Check separately whether the nuts are unsalted, unroasted or roasted, and whether any oil has been added. | If I’m specifically looking for an unsalted mix, I don’t want to assume that it’s also unroasted or free from added oil. Around 21% of consumers prioritise an unsalted mix and its preparation method. |
| Portioning and storage | Check whether the pack is resealable and follow the storage instructions for the product you buy. | If I open a bag more than once, I want to be able to reseal it and keep the product information to hand. Around 21% of consumers prioritise portioning and storage. |
Common pitfalls
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Assuming peanuts are automatically a nut-free alternative
Peanuts and nuts are separate allergen categories. Duyvis also states that its unsalted peanuts may contain traces of nuts.
Before choosing an alternative, check the allergen information for the exact product and your school’s current policy.
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Assuming a large bag is automatically the right choice
Pack sizes can differ in weight, types of nuts and preparation method. The size of the bag alone doesn’t make the products equivalent.
Choose an amount that matches what your household actually uses, and compare the ingredients in each product.
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Confusing unroasted with unsalted or free from added oil
The 500 g AH mix lists sunflower oil, while ALDI describes its roasted mix as having no added oil or salt. These product features don’t mean the same thing.
Check the preparation method and ingredients separately, rather than relying on a single claim on the pack.
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Throwing away the original label after portioning
Without the original packaging, you can’t easily check the product information or storage instructions for your homemade portions.
Keep the packaging or store the label information with your supplies, and reseal the bag after use as instructed. For its 200 g mix reviewed here, Albert Heijn says to store it in a cool, dry place and reseal it securely after use.
Brands and product ranges to consider
Duyvis
The Pinda’s Ongezouten range is worth considering if you’re specifically looking at peanuts.
- Duyvis states that its peanuts contain 0 g of salt per 100 g.
- Peanuts are an allergen, and the product information says they may contain traces of nuts. They’re not automatically a suitable alternative if allergies are a concern.
Albert Heijn
The 500 g AH Unsalted Nut Mix is an example of a larger pack for anyone who wants to portion it out themselves.
- Albert Heijn lists a mix of almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts and Brazil nuts, with sunflower oil, and states that it contains 20 manufacturer-defined portions of 25 g.
- The stated portion is product information, not general portion guidance for children. The pack size alone doesn’t prove it offers better value.
Jumbo
The Jumbo Noten Mix Ongezouten 200 g reviewed here is a smaller pack option.
- The product name and pack size have been confirmed for this product.
- Compare the ingredients in the exact mix before treating it as equivalent to another nut mix.
Lidl
Lidl sells nuts and dried fruit under the Alesto brand, including Way To Go cashews.
- Lidl describes the Way To Go cashews mentioned as Fairtrade.
- This doesn’t mean all Alesto products are unsalted or that there’s a specific value pack for school lunches.
ALDI
Under its Trader Joe’s range, ALDI describes a 200 g unroasted nut mix and a 200 g roasted nut mix.
- The unroasted version is described as resealable; according to ALDI, the roasted version contains no added oil or salt.
- These features apply to the specific products mentioned and don’t establish an overall brand or price ranking.
PLUS
The PLUS Notenmix ongebrand ongezouten 500 g is an example of a larger stand-up pouch.
- The product information confirms that it’s unroasted and unsalted and comes in a 500 g pack.
- These features don’t prove that it will suit everyone’s taste or offer a consistent price advantage.
Products at Joybuy
These Joybuy options range from nut mixes and individual types of nuts to chestnuts. Before choosing one for a school lunch, check the ingredients, preparation method, portion packaging and allergen information for each product.
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g'woon unroasted, unsalted nut mix, 500 g
A larger pack if you want to portion out an unroasted, unsalted mix yourself.
Contains 30% hazelnuts, 30% walnuts, 20% almonds and 20% cashews.
Contains hazelnuts, walnuts, almonds and cashews, and may contain traces of peanuts and other nuts. Check that it meets any allergy requirements and your school’s policy.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises giving children under 4 nut butter with no added sugar or salt instead of whole nuts, due to the risk of choking.
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J.ZAO S++ Grade whole chestnuts, 1 kg (10 sachets)
An option if you’re looking for peeled, ready-to-eat chestnuts in individual sachets.
The pack contains 1 kg, divided into 10 sachets of 100 g; the product information states 0 g of salt.
The product contains chestnuts. Check that it’s suitable under your school’s policy and any allergy requirements.
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BE&CHEERY pine nuts, 500 g
This pack could suit you if you’re specifically looking for pine nuts and plan to use them soon after opening.
The product information states that it contains at least 98% pine nuts and palm oil.
According to the product description, it’s ready to eat and intended to be consumed straight after opening. This makes it less suitable for dividing between several lunches.
Check that pine nuts are allowed under your school’s policy and meet any allergy requirements.
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J.ZAO Large-Kernel Unbleached pistachios, 1 kg
A large pack if you’re looking for roasted pistachios but don’t need an unsalted variety.
The ingredients list 99% pistachios and 1% salt; the nutritional information states 0.77 g of salt per 100 g.
Check that pistachios are allowed under your school’s policy and meet any allergy requirements.
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J.ZAO roasted pecans, 500 g
This pack could suit you if you’re looking for roasted pecans and are happy with sugar and salt in the ingredients.
The product information lists 87.6% pecans, sugar and salt; the salt content is 2.0 g per 100 g.
Check that pecans are allowed under your school’s policy and meet any allergy requirements.
Frequently asked questions
Is the serving size on a pack of nuts automatically suitable for my child?
No. The stated product serving size isn’t automatically a recommendation for children or for a school lunch. For the 500 g mix reviewed here, Albert Heijn states a manufacturer-defined portion of 25 g and 20 portions in total. This is information about that pack.
What about children under 4?
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises giving children under 4 nut butter with no added sugar or salt instead of whole nuts, due to the risk of choking. This advice is age-specific; also check your school’s policy and any allergy requirements.
How should I store a bag that I open more than once?
Follow the storage instructions for the exact product and close the pack as directed. For the 200 g nut mix reviewed here, Albert Heijn says to store it in a cool, dry place and reseal it securely after use. Keep the original packaging so you can check the ingredients, allergen information and best-before date.
What allergen information should I check on prepacked products?
The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergen information for prepacked products appears on the label. Check the information on the exact pack. Since 1 January 2026, rules have also applied in the Netherlands on how and when businesses must warn about allergens that may accidentally end up in a product, for example through cross-contamination.
Are peanuts a suitable alternative if a school is nut-free?
Don’t assume they are: peanuts and nuts are separate allergen categories, and Duyvis states that its unsalted peanuts may contain traces of nuts. Follow your school’s current policy and check the allergen information for the exact product.