If you pack lunches regularly
You want to take a snack on several school days and decide how much to pack yourself. A larger pack and portions prepared at home could work well.
Who is this guide for?
If you want something quick to take with you
You want to keep preparation to a minimum and are looking for a sealed or resealable pack. Check whether it contains one portion or is a larger pack.
If you need to consider allergies or school guidelines
Your choice depends on personal allergies and the rules at your child’s school or in their area. Check the current packaging for peanuts, nuts and any cross-contamination warnings.
What should you look for when choosing?
First check whether nuts and peanuts are suitable given any allergies and school guidelines. Then choose the type you want, and decide whether a larger bag or individual pack better suits how you prepare lunches.
| What to consider | What should you look for? | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Packing a portion | Check the weight of each bag and whether it contains a separate portion or is simply resealable. | If I want to keep preparation to a minimum and don’t want to take the whole pack, I look for a practical pack to take with me. Convenience is the top priority for around 25% of consumers in this set of preferences. |
| Unsalted option | Read the full product name and ingredients list; don’t rely on the brand or packaging alone. | If I’m specifically looking for an unsalted snack, I want to be sure which option I’m buying. An unsalted recipe is the top priority for around 25% of consumers in this set of preferences. |
| Allergens and school guidelines | Check the ingredients, allergens and any warnings about possible cross-contamination; follow the guidelines for the school or area. | If there’s an allergy or a school rule to consider, I need to know whether this product is suitable. Allergies or school guidelines are the deciding factor for around 25% of consumers in this set of preferences. |
| Storage and keeping stock | Compare prices for the same quantity and ingredients, and follow the storage advice on the label once opened. | If I regularly prepare portions, I want to store the pack properly and choose how much to take. Managing stock and cost per portion are the top priorities for around 25% of consumers in this set of preferences. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming a sealed bag is automatically safe
The packaging doesn’t change which allergens are present. The NVWA lists peanuts and nuts as separate allergens, so a different type of nut isn’t automatically a suitable alternative.
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging, look out for cross-contamination warnings, and follow the guidelines that apply to the pupil and school area.
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Assuming a retail pack is one school portion
A resealable 200 g bag is a larger pack. A 60 g individual bag isn’t automatically a personal portion recommendation either.
Decide in advance how much you want to take and portion out a larger pack at home. For dietary advice, use the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s guidance based on age, rather than relying on the pack weight alone.
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Mixing up salted and unsalted options
Duyvis sells both options; the 60 g size mentioned is for Pinda’s Gezouten (Salted Peanuts). The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists unsalted nuts as a snack option for teenagers.
Check the full product name and ingredients, not just the brand or packaging colour.
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Buying a large bag without a plan for storing it once opened
A 500 g larger pack needs to be portioned and stored properly. Nuts can go rancid, become chewy or go mouldy.
Choose a size that suits how you’ll use it, seal the rest properly and follow the storage advice on the product label.
Stock that isn’t stored properly or eaten can go to waste.
Brands to compare
Duyvis
Worth considering if you’re looking for peanuts in a salted or unsalted option.
- The product information distinguishes between the salted and unsalted options; the 60 g size is listed for Pinda’s Gezouten (Salted Peanuts).
- Duyvis warns that traces of peanuts and/or nuts may be present. Check the current packaging if you have allergies.
Albert Heijn
AH Unsalted Nut Mix is an option if you’re looking for an unsalted mix.
- The product information confirms that it’s the unsalted option.
- Albert Heijn advises checking the current packaging, as ingredients and allergen information may change.
Jumbo
Jumbo Unsalted Nut Mix 200 g is a larger pack you can portion out at home.
- The product information lists an unsalted option and a pack size of 200 g.
- The 200 g bag isn’t a single portion to take with you.
Lidl
Alesto is Lidl’s range of nuts and dried fruit.
- The range is worth considering if you’re looking for nuts or dried fruit at this supermarket.
- Not every option is unsalted or comes in individual portions. Check the label of the specific product.
ALDI
TRADER JOE'S Unroasted Nut Mix 200 g is a larger pack with resealable packaging.
- ALDI lists hazelnuts, cashews, walnuts and almonds, and says the packaging is resealable.
- Resealable doesn’t mean individually portioned or suitable for every allergy or school rule.
PLUS
PLUS Unroasted Unsalted Nut Mix 500 g is a larger pack to portion out at home.
- The product information lists an unroasted, unsalted mix weighing 500 g.
- This size needs to be portioned and stored. PLUS advises checking the current packaging.
Nut snacks at Joybuy
These product picks are suited to nut snacks for school lunches, including larger unsalted packs to portion out at home and individual packs. Check the option, ingredients and allergen information for each product.
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g'woon unsalted peanuts 250 g
A good fit if you’re looking for a larger unsalted pack to portion out at home.
The product name lists peanuts and a pack size of 250 g. The product information says traces of cashews may be present; check the current packaging and school guidelines.
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g'woon roasted unsalted cashews 200 g
A good fit if you’d like to buy unsalted cashews and prepare your own portions at home.
The product name lists roasted, unsalted cashews and a pack size of 200 g. Contains cashews; check whether these are suitable given any allergies and school guidelines.
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J.ZAO Classic Daily-Nut Mix 750 g / 30 sachets
Individual packs could work well if you’d rather not transfer a snack into another bag at home.
The product name lists a nut mix, 750 g and 30 sachets. Check the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging; the product name doesn’t say that the mix is unsalted.
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Be&Cheery walnuts in shell 128 g
Could work well if you want to take walnuts with you and can crack them open when you’re ready to eat.
The product name lists walnuts and 128 g. The walnuts are in their shells, so you’ll need to crack them open before eating. Check whether walnuts are suitable given any allergies and school guidelines.
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Bon Appétit unsalted walnuts 110 g
A good fit if you’re looking for unsalted walnuts and want to decide how much to take yourself.
The product name lists unsalted walnuts and 110 g. The walnuts are in their shells and need to be cracked open. Check whether walnuts are suitable given any allergies and school guidelines.
Frequently asked questions
How many nuts should you put in a bag for school?
Pack a separate portion to take with you, and don’t treat the weight of a retail bag as personal dietary advice. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s general advice is to have a handful of unsalted nuts, with further guidance based on age and eating preferences. Adjust the amount you pack to what you’ll eat for the rest of the day.
What allergen information should appear on packaging?
According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information for pre-packed food must appear on the label. Peanuts and nuts are listed separately on the official allergen list. Since 1 January 2026, the Netherlands has also had rules on cross-contamination warnings; these labelling rules don’t determine whether a product is allowed at a particular school.
How should you store nuts after preparing school portions?
Follow the label and seal the rest of the pack properly. For Duyvis Unsalted Peanuts 235 g, the product information says to store the product in a cool, dry place and transfer the contents to a light- and airtight container after opening. For opened mixed unsalted nuts, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives general advice to store them in a kitchen cupboard for six months. Nuts that are rancid, chewy or mouldy are signs of a loss of quality or spoilage.
What should you do if the contents or product information are incorrect?
Keep the packaging and contact the seller or the consumer service listed on it. Albert Heijn and PLUS direct customers to their customer or consumer service teams with questions; Duyvis explains on its product overview how to submit a product complaint.