Who is this choice relevant to?

Cyclists who eat an organic breakfast

You’re looking for whole organic almonds to add to your breakfast, and want to check the organic designation on the exact packaging.

Cyclists who set off soon after breakfast

You cycle soon after breakfast and want to plan your meal around your departure time and what suits you, while keeping your sources of carbohydrates in mind. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre offers advice on eating and drinking around exercise.

Regular breakfast shoppers

You buy almonds regularly and pay attention to pack size, storage instructions and comparisons between the same type of product, rather than judging by the packaging alone.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether the almonds are an addition to your breakfast and how soon you’ll be setting off afterwards. Then check the organic information, allergens and packaging of the exact product.

What to consider What should you check? Who is this most important for?
What’s in your cycling breakfast? Check the carbohydrates, fat and fibre per 100 g on the packaging, and consider the almonds as part of your whole breakfast. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre emphasises the importance of getting enough carbohydrates for endurance exercise. If I want to plan my breakfast around cycling, I look at the whole meal, not just the almonds. Around 29% of consumers prioritise what’s in their cycling breakfast.
Organic designation Check the EU organic logo, control code and indication of agricultural origin. According to the European Commission, the logo is intended for organically certified products. If I want to buy organic almonds, I want to be able to check the designation on the exact packaging. Around 29% of consumers prioritise organic credentials.
Departure time and portion size Consider how long you have before setting off and what’s in your whole meal. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends eating a proper meal around 2 to 3 hours before exercise, and advises against large portions and foods high in fat, protein or fibre just beforehand. If I’m cycling soon after breakfast or I’m prone to feeling too full, I want to plan my meal accordingly. Around 21% of consumers prioritise timing and digestion.
Pack size and storage Compare the net weight and storage instructions on the packaging. The AH and PLUS products reviewed contain 150 g; the Jumbo product reviewed contains 175 g. If I buy almonds regularly, I want to choose a pack that suits how much I use and compare pack sizes fairly. Around 14% of consumers prioritise packaging and cost.
Allergens Check the ingredients and any warnings about other allergens separately from the organic designation. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how allergen information is shown on labels. If I need to manage a specific food allergy, I check the ingredients and warnings for the product I’ve chosen. Around 7% of consumers prioritise allergen suitability.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming an energy-rich nut is a main source of carbohydrates

    The energy content alone doesn’t tell you how many carbohydrates a product provides. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre emphasises that endurance athletes need enough carbohydrates.

    Check the nutritional information and enjoy almonds as part of your breakfast, not as a replacement for other sources of carbohydrates.

  • Confusing unroasted or unsalted with organic

    How a product is prepared and whether salt has been added are separate characteristics from organic certification. According to the European Commission, the EU organic logo can only appear on products that are certified for it.

    Check the organic designation on the exact packaging; don’t assume a product is organic just because it’s described as unroasted or unsalted.

  • Eating a large portion just before setting off

    The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against large portions and foods high in fat, protein or fibre just before exercise, partly because they may cause stomach problems.

    Adjust the size of your meal to your departure time and what suits you. A suggested serving size on a pack isn’t personalised cycling nutrition advice.

  • Assuming organic means allergen-safe

    Organic origin doesn’t change the fact that almonds are an ingredient. Warnings about the possible presence of other allergens vary by product.

    Read the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging you’ve chosen. If you have a known almond allergy, almonds aren’t suitable for you.

Relevant brands for comparison

Albert Heijn

The product information for AH Organic Unroasted Almonds describes a 150 g organic, unroasted and unsalted variety.

  • Albert Heijn lists an EU organic logo, control code IT-BIO-009 and EU Agriculture.
  • The product page says it’s sold in store; check the current packaging and availability for yourself.

Jumbo

Jumbo Organic Unroasted Almonds is a 175 g organic, unroasted variety.

  • The ingredients information lists almonds of organic origin, and the product page names NL-BIO-01.
  • The allergen warnings also mention other nuts, peanuts and sesame; read the label on the pack you choose.

PLUS

PLUS Organic Almonds is a 150 g product with skins on.

  • PLUS lists organic almonds and EU Organic Farming.
  • Follow the storage instructions on the packaging; nutritional values apply to the product as sold.

Duyvis

Duyvis Almonds Original is a useful comparison for a roasted almond variety.

  • Duyvis describes the 125 g variety as oven-roasted, with no added oil or fat.
  • The preparation method doesn’t prove organic certification; check the designation on the exact packaging.

Lidl

The Dutch product page lists unsalted almonds.

  • The product description confirms that they’re unsalted.
  • Unsalted doesn’t mean organic; check separately whether the packaging includes organic information.

ALDI

The product page describes unroasted TRADER JOE'S almonds in a resealable 200 g pack.

  • According to the product information, the pack is resealable.
  • Unroasted doesn’t in itself say anything about organic certification; check the packaging if organic is a requirement.

Product on Joybuy

A Joybuy product that works as an addition to a cycling breakfast.

g'woon almonds, raw and unsalted, 200 g

g'woon almonds, raw and unsalted, 200 g

Enjoy as an addition to a breakfast with other sources of carbohydrates; these almonds aren’t a main source of carbohydrates for cycling.

The product title says raw and unsalted; net weight: 200 g.

Nutritional values per 100 g: 4.8 g carbohydrates, 50 g fat and 13 g fibre.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

How can you include almonds in breakfast if you’re cycling afterwards?

Enjoy almonds as an addition and consider the make-up of your whole meal. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends eating a proper meal around 2 to 3 hours before exercise; large portions and foods high in fat, protein or fibre are less suitable just beforehand.

Which organic certification should you check on almonds?

Check the EU organic logo, control code and indication of agricultural origin. According to the European Commission, the logo can only be used on products that are certified organic.

How should you store organic almonds?

Follow the instructions on the packaging. For the almond products reviewed, Albert Heijn and PLUS recommend storing them in a cool, dark and dry place.

Are organic almonds suitable if you have an almond allergy?

No. Organic origin doesn’t change the fact that these products contain almonds; also check the warnings about other allergens on the exact packaging.

How can you compare packs if you buy almonds regularly?

Compare the net weight, storage instructions and current cost per kilogram for the same type of product. The AH and PLUS products reviewed contain 150 g, while the Jumbo product reviewed contains 175 g.