The four unsalted packs reviewed from Jumbo, Duyvis, Albert Heijn and PLUS contain 602–625 kcal per 100 g. This means these peanuts are not low in calories under the EU threshold of no more than 40 kcal per 100 g for that claim. If you want to snack mindfully, you can weigh your own portion and compare labels per 100 g. Also keep adult snacking peanuts separate from the suitable form for introducing peanuts to a baby.
You want to know how much energy your own portion provides. Checking the label and weighing your portion are more helpful than assuming unsalted peanuts are low in calories. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists 157 kcal for 25 g of unsalted peanuts.
You’re looking for a variety with no added salt, so check the specific product name and ingredients. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre includes unsalted nuts in the Dutch Wheel of Five.
You want to distinguish adult snacking peanuts from a suitable form for introducing peanuts to your baby. Check the texture and allergen information separately.
When choosing peanuts for mindful snacking in a household with a new parent, the main considerations are portion size, ingredients, family use and storage.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Energy per portion | Check the kcal per 100 g and weigh your own portion; compare products using the same weight. | If I want to limit my snack, I want to know the energy content of my own weighed portion. Around 39% of consumers prioritise the energy content of a snack portion. |
| No added salt | Check the ingredients for added salt and look at the salt content per 100 g. | I’m looking for peanuts with no added salt, so I check the ingredients list. Around 23% of consumers prioritise an unsalted product. |
| Adult snack and baby food | Check the texture, allergen information and relevant introduction advice. | When I shop for my family, I want to distinguish an adult snack from a suitable form for introducing peanuts to a baby. Around 23% of consumers prioritise safe family use. |
| Pack size and storage | Compare pack sizes and unit prices; follow the storage instructions on the packaging. | When I shop, I look for a pack that suits my routine and is easy to store properly. Around 15% of consumers prioritise practical shopping and storage. |
Salt content and energy content are different things. The four unsalted packs reviewed contain 602–625 kcal per 100 g.
Check the energy per 100 g and, if you like, calculate the energy content of your own weighed portion. Don’t call a product low in calories just because you eat a small portion.
The AH pack reviewed lists a 25 g portion, while Jumbo uses 30 g. Comparing calories per portion without taking the weight into account isn’t a like-for-like comparison.
First compare the values per 100 g, then calculate them for the same portion weight.
The preparation method alone doesn’t tell you how much energy or salt the whole product contains. Duyvis describes Oven Baked Original as roasted without added oil or fat.
For the specific pack, also check the ingredients, energy and salt content.
Ordinary snacking peanuts have a different texture from the form the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends for introducing peanuts.
Keep these two uses separate and follow the advice on introducing peanuts to your baby.
A different suitable form or preparation may be needed to introduce peanuts to a baby.
This comparison covers the 235 g unsalted peanuts and the separate Oven Baked Original range.
The own-brand variety reviewed is AH Unsalted Peanuts, 300 g.
The variety reviewed is Jumbo Unsalted Peanuts, 250 g.
The Dutch product information covers 285 g of unsalted peanuts.
The Dutch product page reviewed is for Trader Joe’s roasted unsalted peanuts, 250 g; ALDI is the retailer.
The own-brand variety reviewed is PLUS Unsalted Peanuts, 250 g.
These product choices are intended for adult snacking and include unsalted, roasted and flavoured peanuts. They are not products for introducing peanuts to a baby.
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Suitable if you’re looking for an unsalted option for adult snacking.
The product description lists 2.690 kJ and 0,02 g salt.
The description warns that cashews may be present.
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The product description mentions snacking and using them in dishes.
The ingredients list names peanuts; the product description lists 2.515 kJ and 0,12 g salt.
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The product description says these are roasted peanuts with no added salt.
The ingredients description lists 100% peanuts; the nutritional information states 626 kcal per 100 g.
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A flavoured option if you’re looking for snacking peanuts with a walnut flavour.
The nutritional information lists 2.420 kJ per 100 g. The ingredients list includes sugar and salt.
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A ready-to-eat snack option if you’re looking for garlic-flavoured peanuts.
The nutritional information lists 540,2 kcal per 100 g; the ingredients list states 2,50% salt.
No, not just because the portion is small. According to the European Commission, the claim ‘low in calories’ for solid foods requires a maximum of 40 kcal (170 kJ) per 100 g. For ordinary peanuts, it’s better to state the energy content of a clearly weighed portion.
Multiply the kcal per 100 g by the weight of your portion in grams, then divide by 100. For Jumbo Unsalted Peanuts, which contain 602 kcal per 100 g, 25 g works out to 150,5 kcal. This is a calculation based on the label, not a recommended daily amount.
No, the preparation method alone doesn’t tell you how much energy the finished product contains. Duyvis describes Oven Baked Original as roasted without added oil or fat; also check the nutrition table and ingredients for the specific pack.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, your body needs more energy and nutrients than usual to produce breast milk. So don’t automatically let your choice of snack turn into a calorie-restricted diet.
Use a suitable form to introduce peanuts: the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends smooth peanut butter stirred into a weaning food. The general advice is to introduce peanuts before the age of 8 months. If your baby has eczema or a predisposition to allergies before 6 months, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises speaking to a doctor or dietitian about how to proceed.
