If you want to serve peanuts while keeping the energy per snacking occasion in check, weigh out a smaller portion and compare products on the same basis. The regular peanut varieties here are not low in calories. Unsalted does not mean low in calories, and being oven-baked without added oil does not in itself prove a lower energy value. Make sure you also have the allergen information for the specific pack to hand.
You want peanuts on the Christmas buffet, but you also want to keep an eye on the energy in each snack portion. Compare kcal per 100 g and weigh out your own portion; a healthy appearance doesn’t tell you how much energy is in the portion you eat.
You’re looking for peanuts with no added salt and don’t want to confuse unsalted with low-calorie. So compare the ingredients and salt content on the pack you’re actually serving.
You’re buying for several guests and want to choose packaging, check allergen information and plan how to serve the peanuts to suit your group. Professional food providers have information requirements for unpackaged foods; the NVWA explains the rules for this specific situation.
Start with the portion you want to serve, then compare the nutritional values, salt content and product information that matter to your guests.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Energy per portion | Compare kcal per 100 g, then weigh out the same portion for each option. | If I want to limit the energy in each snack portion, I’d rather weigh mine than rely on different handfuls. Around 39% of consumers prioritise calories per portion. |
| Salt and preparation | Read the ingredients list and check the salt content and kcal per 100 g. | If I want to avoid added salt, I check the ingredients rather than just how the peanuts are prepared. Around 23% of consumers give avoiding added salt top priority. |
| Allergens and serving | Check the allergen information on the specific pack and keep it next to the bowl. | When there are guests with food allergies or young children, I want to know what’s in the bowl and how to serve the peanuts safely. Around 23% of consumers say safe serving is their main concern. |
| Pack size and leftovers | Check the net weight, work out your own portions and follow the storage instructions. | If I’m buying for several guests, I want to match the quantity to the buffet and store any leftovers properly. Around 15% of consumers prioritise portion planning and leftovers. |
A product can contain no added salt and still provide a lot of energy per 100 g. For solid foods, the European Commission sets a maximum of 40 kcal per 100 g for the ‘low energy’ claim.
Check the ingredients, salt content and kcal per 100 g separately. Don’t use ‘unsalted’ to suggest that a product is low in energy.
Calculated energy per portion can vary because manufacturers use different portion sizes. On the product pages reviewed, Albert Heijn gives a portion size of 25 g and Jumbo 30 g.
Compare products per 100 g first, then calculate the values for the same buffet portion, weighed out by you.
Warnings about the possible presence of other nuts vary by product. If you can no longer check the packaging, you could miss important product information when serving the peanuts. The NVWA requires professional food providers to inform customers about allergens present in unpackaged foods.
Keep the packaging and note which product is in each bowl. Check the information again if you switch to a different variety.
The varieties reviewed include unsalted and salted peanuts, as well as Oven Baked Peanuts Original.
The AH Ongezouten peanuts reviewed are a useful option if you want to plan serving portions in advance.
The Jumbo Pinda’s Ongezouten variety reviewed is a suitable option if you’re looking for unsalted peanuts for a buffet.
The 250 g unsalted pack reviewed is an option to include when comparing labels.
The Dutch product page describes a 285 g unsalted peanut variety, available in store only.
The Dutch product page reviewed lists Trader Joe’s roasted, unsalted peanuts in a 250 g pack.
This selection includes unsalted and roasted peanuts, as well as peanuts in their shells and raw peanuts. Compare the nutritional values listed per 100 g, and always refer to the information on the specific pack for allergens and ingredients.
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Suitable if you’re looking for an unsalted variety and want to weigh out your own portion.
The description lists 99% peanuts, sunflower oil and 2690 kJ per 100 g. Contains peanuts and may contain cashews.
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Suitable if you’re looking for a sweet and savoury oven-roasted peanut snack and don’t need to avoid salt.
The description lists 561 kcal per 100 g and 1.4 g salt per 100 g. The pack contains 175 g; the ingredients include honey and wheat starch. Contains wheat and gluten and may contain other nuts. The description warns that the product poses a choking risk for young children.
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Suitable if you want to serve peanuts in their shells and plan portions by weight.
The description lists 2515 kJ and 0.12 g salt per 100 g. Contains peanuts; whole peanuts can pose a choking risk for young children.
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Suitable if you’d rather choose how to prepare the peanuts than serve them ready-roasted.
The description lists raw peanuts with skin and 567 kcal per 100 g. The pack contains 500 g; roast or cook the peanuts first if you want to serve them roasted.
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Suitable if you’re looking for a roasted, unsalted peanut snack and want to weigh out your own portion.
The description lists 100% peanuts, dry-roasted, and 626 kcal per 100 g. The pack contains 210 g.
Not if they exceed the permitted limit for that claim. For solid foods, the European Commission allows a maximum of 40 kcal (170 kJ) per 100 g for the ‘low energy’ claim; the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority refers to the applicable European rules. The peanut varieties discussed here are well above that limit. You could describe a smaller portion, but don’t call the peanuts themselves low-calorie.
No. Here, 25 g is a standard amount for comparison, not a required portion size or personal dietary recommendation. The product pages reviewed list 25 g as a portion for Albert Heijn and 30 g for Jumbo. For a fair comparison, weigh out the same amount for every product.
A professional food provider selling unpackaged foods must inform customers about allergens present. The NVWA explains this requirement for food providers; for peanuts, keep the product information for the specific variety. This answer does not automatically make a private family buffet a professional activity.
Whole peanuts can pose a choking risk for young children. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre also advises older children to eat calmly at the table and to be supervised when they are given whole nuts. Changing the form of the peanuts does not make them suitable for someone with a peanut allergy.
Seal the pack tightly and store the peanuts in a dry place, following the instructions on the packaging. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises keeping nuts tightly sealed and dry, and says storing them somewhere cool is a suitable option. Follow the information on your specific pack for shelf life.
