Parents looking for less fat
You want to pack a nut snack and understand the difference between a reduced-fat claim, unsalted nuts and a preparation method that uses no added fat.
Who is this guide for?
Parents who pack lunch every day
You’re looking for a practical lunch option and pay attention to nutritional information, portion size, ingredients and storage. The Voedingscentrum emphasises that food choices for children should suit their individual needs.
Parents who need to consider school rules
You check the rules on nuts and peanuts, allergen information and your child’s eating situation. OBS De Venen, for example, sets out rules for specific lower-year classes. Amsterdam UMC advises, in its information on energy- and protein-enriched diets for children under 4, choosing nut butter instead of whole nuts because of the risk of choking.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide what matters most to you: reducing fat, choosing a lunch option for every day, school safety or easy portioning. The Voedingscentrum defines the claim ‘low fat’ for solid foods as no more than 3 g of fat per 100 g; this is different from ‘no added fat’.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Total fat | Check the fat content per 100 g, the exact claim and the comparison product stated on the packaging. | If my main aim is to reduce total fat, I want to compare the claim with the nutritional information and ingredients. Around 33% of consumers make reducing fat their main priority. |
| Everyday lunch choice | Check whether the variety is unsalted and adjust the amount you pack to suit the lunch and your child. | If I pack nuts in lunch regularly, I want to know what the variety contains and what amount works for us. Around 27% of consumers prioritise their everyday lunch choice. |
| School safety | Check the rules at your child’s school or in their class, the allergens listed on the packaging and whether whole nuts are suitable for their eating situation. | If I need to consider school rules or allergens, I check them before choosing a product. Around 27% of consumers make school safety their main priority. |
| Portioning and storage | Check the net weight, whether there are individual portions and the storage instructions once opened. | If I pack lunch in advance, I want to be able to adjust the amount easily and store the packaging properly. Around 13% of consumers prioritise convenience when portioning and storing food. |
Common buying mistakes
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Choosing a reduced-fat variety without checking the school rules
A preparation method or nutrition claim doesn’t change the fact that a product contains nuts or peanuts. Rules can vary between schools and classes.
First check the rules at your child’s school or in their class, then look at the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack.
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Assuming ‘unsalted’ or ‘no added fat’ means ‘low fat’
These terms describe different properties. The AH nut mix reviewed contains 60 g of fat per 100 g, while the PLUS nut mix contains 55.7 g per 100 g, even though both are unsalted varieties. For solid foods, the Voedingscentrum sets the maximum for a ‘low fat’ claim at 3 g of fat per 100 g.
Compare the total fat content per 100 g and treat the preparation description separately from a nutrition claim.
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Treating an old product claim as a current buying option
SPAR Nederland stated that Duyvis Oven Roasted Borrelnootjes Sweet Paprika had 30% less fat than regular peanuts in a crunchy coating, while also noting that the product was no longer available.
Assess a claim only for the exact variety you’re considering, and check the current packaging and nutritional information.
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Assuming a pack’s serving size is right for every child
A serving size on the packaging describes the product; it isn’t automatically the right amount for every child.
Use the information on the packaging as product information, and adjust the amount to suit the lunch and your child’s needs.
Brands to consider
Duyvis
Duyvis sells peanuts, borrelnootjes and nut mixes, among other products; preparation methods vary between varieties.
- Joybuy product descriptions for specific dry-roasted varieties state that they are made without added fat or oil.
- That doesn’t mean they contain less total fat. SPAR Nederland stated a reduced-fat claim for another variety, but also said it was no longer available.
Albert Heijn
An own-brand option that includes the 500 g AH Unsalted Nut Mix reviewed here.
- The product information lists ingredients, allergens, serving size and storage details.
- For this exact mix, Albert Heijn states that it contains 60 g of fat per 100 g. Here, unsalted doesn’t mean low fat or made without oil.
Jumbo
Jumbo sells nut mixes, including a 200 g unsalted nut mix.
- The range includes both unsalted and salted options.
- The range information doesn’t compare fat reduction or nutritional values across the full selection. Check the exact variety.
Lidl
Lidl presents Alesto as a range that includes nuts and dried fruit.
- The range includes products described as snacks or toppings.
- The brand description doesn’t substantiate a specific reduced-fat variety or a particular fat content.
ALDI
ALDI describes TRADER JOE'S Unsalted Nut Mix as a blend of almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts and Brazil nuts.
- The product description makes clear which nuts are included in this unsalted variety.
- The ingredients support an unsalted choice, not a fat-reduction claim.
PLUS
The 200 g PLUS Unroasted and Unsalted Nut Mix reviewed here lists a blend of hazelnuts, walnuts, almonds and cashews.
- The product information gives the ingredients and nutritional values for this variety.
- PLUS states that it contains 55.7 g of fat per 100 g. A different blend of nuts doesn’t, by itself, substantiate a valid reduced-fat claim.
Nut products on Joybuy
These products are a range of nut options for a packed lunch, but they aren’t automatically reduced-fat products. Compare the nutritional information for the exact variety; dry-roasted and unsalted don’t prove that a product contains less total fat. Also check allergens, school rules and storage information.
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Duyvis Dry Roasted Cashews, 125 g
An option if you’re looking for oven-roasted cashews made without added fat or oil; that doesn’t automatically make the product low in fat.
The product information states that it contains 43 g of fat and 0.92 g of salt per 100 g, with 4–5 servings per pack. The listed allergens are cashews, gluten, wheat and peanuts.
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g'woon Cashew Nuts Roasted & Unsalted, 200 g
An unsalted option if you’re looking for cashews with no other listed ingredients; unsalted doesn’t mean lower in fat.
The ingredients list contains cashews only. The nutritional information states that it contains 46.67 g of fat and 0.067 g of salt per 100 g. Store this variety in a cool, dry place, as stated in the description.
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g'woon Unsalted Peanuts, 250 g
An unsalted peanut option; check the ingredients if you want to avoid added fat.
The ingredients list states 99% peanuts and sunflower oil. The nutritional information states that it contains 50 g of fat per 100 g. The product information also notes that it may contain cashews.
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J.ZAO Lin’an Hickory Kernels, 300 g
The description mentions individual portions, which can make portioning easier.
The ingredients list contains hickory nuts, sugar and salt. The nutritional information states that per 100 g, it contains 46.4 g of fat, 1.6 g of salt and 12.4 g of sugars.
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Haoxiangni Thin-Shelled Walnuts, 500 g (8 packs)
The pack is divided into 8 packs, but the walnuts are still in hard shells that you’ll need to crack before eating.
The ingredients list contains walnuts only. The nutritional information states that it contains 66.2 g of fat per 100 g; the storage temperature given in the description is 0–4 °C.
Frequently asked questions
Does low fat mean the same as no added fat?
No. For solid foods, the Voedingscentrum sets the maximum for a ‘low fat’ claim at 3 g of fat per 100 g. ‘No added fat’ describes how a product is made; check the total fat content of the exact variety separately.
Do any schools have specific rules about nuts and peanuts?
Yes, rules may apply across a school or in specific classes. OBS De Venen sets out rules for particular lower-year classes, so check your child’s school policy. This example does not establish a general rule for the Netherlands.
What do cross-contamination warnings on labels mean?
Since 1 January 2026, the NVWA has been enforcing the new rules for cross-contamination warnings on prepacked food labels. Permitted examples include ‘May contain X’ and ‘Not suitable for people with an X allergy’. These warnings are separate from allergens present as ingredients.
At what age can I pack whole nuts for my child?
In its information on energy- and protein-enriched diets for children under 4, Amsterdam UMC advises choosing nut butter instead of whole nuts because of the risk of choking. Older children can choke too, so it’s important to eat calmly at the table and stay with them. This is not a legal age limit, and it doesn’t mean nuts are automatically suitable for every eating situation.
Is the 25 g serving size on a pack recommended for every schoolchild?
No. Albert Heijn lists 25 g as the serving size for the nut mix reviewed; this isn’t universal advice for children. The Voedingscentrum points out that children have different needs.
How should I store an opened pack of nuts?
Follow the instructions for the exact variety. For the mix reviewed, Albert Heijn advises storing it in a cool, dry place and sealing it properly after use. PLUS advises storing the mix reviewed in a dry, dark place.