The four unsalted peanut products we looked at do not meet the EU threshold for a ‘low-calorie’ claim: no more than 40 kcal per 100 g for solid foods, according to the European Commission. So compare the energy per 100 g and weigh your own portion. Consider salt, ingredients and packaging separately.
You want to enjoy peanuts with your drinks, but decide in advance how much energy your portion will provide. Compare products using the same quantity and weigh your portion. Voedingscentrum gives 157 kcal for a 25 g handful of unsalted peanuts. This is a category average, not the figure for every brand.
You’re mainly looking for unsalted peanuts. Keep this separate from calorie restriction: unsalted does not mean low-calorie. Voedingscentrum recommends storing nuts in a tightly sealed container in a dry place.
You’re choosing a pack for several people and want to check the ingredients and allergens. Keep the packaging so the information remains available, and seal any leftover peanuts securely. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that allergen information must appear on the label of prepacked products.
First compare the energy in the same-size portion. Then consider salt, flavour and how much you need for your gathering separately.
| What to consider | What to look for when buying | Who is this most relevant to? |
|---|---|---|
| Energy per portion eaten | Compare kcal per 100 g and calculate the figure for the same portion size. | If I want to know how much energy my own portion provides, I weigh it out. Around 39% of consumers say the energy in a portion is their main buying consideration. |
| Added salt | Check the ingredients and nutrition table; unsalted does not automatically mean salt-free. | If I want to avoid added salt, I check the ingredients and salt content, not the energy figure. Around 23% of consumers say this is their priority. |
| Flavour and preparation | Check whether they are plain peanuts, oven-roasted peanuts or coated peanuts, and read the ingredients. | If I’m looking for a particular flavour or texture, I also want to know what other ingredients are included. Around 23% of consumers put flavour and preparation first. |
| Packaging and leftovers | Choose a net weight that suits your gathering and check how to store the opened pack. | If I’m buying peanuts for several people, I want to plan the quantity and seal any leftovers securely. Around 15% of consumers put packaging and leftovers at the top of their list. |
Unsalted tells you about added salt, not energy. The unsalted varieties we looked at contain more than the EU threshold for a low-calorie claim on solid foods.
Compare salt and energy separately, and calculate the energy for the amount you actually weigh out.
Duyvis describes Oven Baked Original as roasted without added oil or fat. This describes how it is prepared; it doesn’t mean the peanuts themselves are fat-free. The variety also has a savoury seasoning mix containing salt.
Read the nutrition table and ingredients alongside the preparation description.
Peanuts are an allergen. A coating may also contain ingredients such as wheat, as is the case with Duyvis Borrelnootjes Provencale.
Check the full information on the pack for everyone who’ll be eating, and keep the label.
The range includes unsalted peanuts, oven-roasted peanuts and coated snacks.
AH Unsalted Peanuts, 300 g, gives portion information for this specific variety.
Jumbo Unsalted Peanuts 250 g is a roasted own-brand variety.
Lidl offers unsalted peanuts, among other products, as well as Alesto peanuts with a spiced coating.
ALDI Netherlands lists Trader Joe’s roasted and unsalted peanuts in a 250 g pack.
PLUS Unsalted Peanuts 250 g is a roasted own-brand variety.
This selection includes unsalted, roasted, flavoured and in-shell peanuts. Check the ingredients, any allergens and the energy information on the packaging for each variety.
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An option if you’re looking for peanuts with no added salt.
The product information lists 99% peanuts and sunflower oil.
May contain cashew nuts.
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A flavoured option if you’re looking for roasted peanuts with a tea aroma.
The product information lists salt, sweetener and flavour enhancers as ingredients.
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An option if you want to serve peanuts in their shells.
The pack contains 500 g; the product information warns that it may contain traces of nuts.
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The 1 kg pack is an option if you’re looking for a larger quantity of peanuts.
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A roasted option if you’re looking for a savoury peanut snack.
The product information lists 606 kcal per 100 g and salt in the ingredients.
No. The four unsalted varieties we looked at do not meet the EU threshold of no more than 40 kcal per 100 g for a low-calorie claim on solid foods. The European Commission sets out this threshold; choosing a smaller portion does not make the product itself low-calorie.
Multiply the kcal per 100 g by your portion weight in grams, then divide by 100. For example, with AH Unsalted Peanuts at 620 kcal per 100 g, a 25 g portion comes to 155 kcal. This lets you compare the same quantity.
Follow the instructions on the packaging and seal the bag securely. Voedingscentrum recommends storing nuts in a dry place in a tightly sealed container; the AH pack we looked at also says to store in a cool, dark place.
Check the allergen information on the packaging for the specific variety. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that allergen information must appear on the label of prepacked foods; a coating may also contain ingredients such as wheat.
No, don’t assume whole peanuts are suitable for young children. The AH, Jumbo and PLUS packs we looked at warn of a choking risk; read the warnings on the packaging.
