Mindful snackers
You’re looking for a familiar peanut snack for the buffet and want to know what a difference in fat or calories is based on. Compare labels on the same basis and choose your portion separately.
Who is this guide for?
Fans of unsalted peanuts
You’re choosing mainly by salt content and don’t want to confuse that with a reduced-fat claim. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre includes unsalted nuts in its Wheel of Five healthy eating guidelines.
Buffet hosts catering for different guests
You want to take allergens into account, as well as how guests will eat the peanuts. Amsterdam UMC recommends nut butter rather than whole nuts for children under 4 because of the risk of choking.
What should you look for when choosing?
Peanuts with a reduced-fat claim
A good choice if: you want to compare fat content with the specific reference products on the label.
Bear in mind: Albert Heijn states that Duyvis Oven baked sundried tomato and herbs has 30% less fat than certain Duyvis borrelnootjes; this is not a comparison with all peanuts or every portion size.
Unsalted peanuts
A good choice if: choosing unsalted matters more to you than a fat-reduction claim.
Bear in mind: unsalted does not automatically mean less fat or fewer calories.
Roasted peanuts
A good choice if: you’re looking for a roasted variety and will take the specific product information into account.
Bear in mind: terms such as ‘oven baked’ and ‘dry roasted’ do not, by themselves, prove that a product has less fat.
First decide whether you’re mainly weighing up fat, calories and portion sizes, salt or suitability for your guests. Then check the relevant product information.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this most relevant to? |
|---|---|---|
| Reference for fat comparison | Check what the claim relates to and compare fat per 100 g. | If you’re looking for a substantiated reduction in fat, you’ll want to identify the reference products; around 31% of consumers prioritise fat reduction. |
| Calories and portion size | Compare kcal per 100 g, then use the same portion size for each product. | At a buffet, you’ll want to decide for yourself how much to serve; around 31% of consumers prioritise calories and portion sizes. |
| Choosing unsalted | Check the salt content; don’t treat ‘unsalted’ as another word for less fat. | If you’re mainly looking for an unsalted snack, that’s a different choice from focusing on fat; around 15% of consumers prioritise unsalted products. |
| Suitability for guests | Read the ingredients and allergen information, and bear in mind the advice about whole nuts for young children. | If you’re hosting guests with different needs, you’ll want to consider allergens and how the peanuts are served; around 23% of consumers prioritise suitability for guests. |
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives an average of 157 kcal per 25 g portion of unsalted peanuts; this is not a product-specific figure. Check the label of the product you choose. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) points out that allergen information for prepacked products is shown on the label.
Common mistakes
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Assuming less fat means fewer calories in your portion
The claim compares fat content with specific reference products. Energy per 100 g and the amount you serve are separate figures.
Compare labels per 100 g, then choose the same portion size for each product.
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Assuming all oven-baked and dry-roasted peanuts are the same product
Duyvis Oven baked sundried tomato and herbs and Duyvis Oven Baked Pinda’s Original are different varieties. A claim for one variety does not automatically apply to the other.
Check the full variety name, ingredients and nutrition table.
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Confusing unsalted with low-fat
Unsalted is a choice about salt, not proof of a lower fat or calorie content.
Check salt, fat and energy as separate figures on the label.
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Putting a nutrition claim before guest suitability
A fat claim does not change the fact that peanuts are an allergen or that whole nuts pose a choking risk to young children.
Read the allergen information and, for young children, follow Amsterdam UMC’s advice to serve nut butter rather than whole nuts.
Brands to consider
Duyvis
The product range includes different types of peanuts and savoury snacks. Albert Heijn states that Duyvis Oven baked sundried tomato and herbs has a relative fat reduction compared with the named Duyvis borrelnootjes.
- The claim names the reference products.
- The claim does not automatically apply to other Duyvis varieties.
Albert Heijn
The product listings include an unsalted AH peanut variety as well as the Duyvis variety mentioned above.
- Products are listed for different selection needs.
- An unsalted product name is no proof of fat reduction; check the current packaging.
Jumbo
The range includes Jumbo Pinda’s Dry Roasted and Duyvis Oven Baked Pinda’s Original.
- Different types of product are listed.
- Preparation terms do not prove a reduced-fat claim.
Lidl
Lidl Netherlands lists unsalted peanuts in a 285 g pack.
- The product description explicitly says unsalted.
- The listing does not identify this as a reduced-fat variety.
ALDI
A product listing from ALDI Netherlands names Trader Joe’s roasted and unsalted peanuts, 250 g.
- The description says both roasted and unsalted.
- These characteristics are no proof of fat reduction.
PLUS
PLUS lists its own-brand peanuts as an unsalted variety in a 250 g bag.
- The product description clearly identifies the unsalted variety.
- Check the latest product and allergen information on the packaging.
Peanuts at Joybuy
These Joybuy products are roasted, unsalted or in-shell peanuts. The product information provided does not, by itself, substantiate a reduced-fat claim.
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Dahaoda Walnut Flavour Peanuts 258g
For anyone looking for a peanut snack with a walnut flavour to share.
The product description lists roasted peanuts, individually wrapped portions and 46.2 g of fat per 100 g.
The ingredients include peanuts, sugar and salt; the listing also mentions soya.
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Lao Jie Kou Yashi Xiang Tea-Infused Roasted Peanuts 500g
For anyone looking to serve roasted peanuts with tea as a flavour note at a get-together.
The pack is 500 g; the product description lists 35.6 g of fat and 544 kcal per 100 g.
The ingredients list mentions tea, salt and flavourings; the product contains peanuts.
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G'woon Peanuts in Shell - 500 g
For anyone who wants to serve peanuts in their shells, ready to eat straight from the shell.
The pack is 500 g; the product description lists 49 g of fat per 100 g.
The product information lists peanuts and mentions nuts in the allergen information.
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g'woon Unsalted Peanuts - 250g
For anyone looking for an unsalted peanut snack.
The pack is 250 g; the product description lists 50 g of fat and 0.02 g of salt per 100 g.
The ingredients include peanuts and sunflower oil. The allergen information states that the product may contain cashew nuts.
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Verse Extra Large Roasted Peanuts - 210 g
For anyone looking to serve roasted peanuts or use them in cooking and baking.
The product description lists 50 g of fat and 0.02 g of salt per 100 g, and describes the peanuts as unsalted.
The product contains peanuts.
Frequently asked questions
What does the statement ‘30% less fat’ mean?
Albert Heijn links this statement for Duyvis Oven baked sundried tomato and herbs to regular Duyvis Borrelnootjes, Crac a Nut, Tijgernootjes and Tigernuts. It is a product-specific comparison, not a statement about all peanuts.
How do I compare labels if the portions are different?
First compare per 100 g, then choose the same portion size for each product. You can multiply the label value per 100 g by the number of grams in your portion and divide by 100.
Are lower-fat peanuts suitable for someone with a peanut allergy?
No, not if the product contains peanuts. A fat-reduction claim does not change the fact that peanuts are an allergen; check the ingredients and allergen information.
Can I serve whole peanuts to children under 4?
Amsterdam UMC recommends nut butter rather than whole nuts for children under 4 because of the risk of choking. Bear this age-specific advice in mind when putting together your buffet.
How should I store an opened bag of peanuts after the buffet?
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists rancidity, a tough texture and mould as signs that salted peanuts have spoiled; this product-specific information does not automatically apply to every coated variety.