People who want to weigh out their portions
You want to keep eating peanuts while keeping an eye on the fat in each snack. Compare the fat content per 100 g and weigh out the amount you’re taking with you.
Who is this relevant to?
People who snack on the go
You’re looking for something that’s easy to take with you. Check the total pack size and decide in advance how much you want to eat; a small-looking bag isn’t automatically a single portion.
People looking for unsalted peanuts
You want an unsalted variety and make up your own snack portions. Check the nutritional information and ingredients on the exact pack you choose, too.
What should you look for when choosing?
Portioning from a larger bag yourself
Choose this if: you can weigh out a portion at home and want to decide how much to take with you.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to prepare your portion in advance and store the rest according to the instructions on the pack.
A small, pre-packed bag
Choose this if: being able to take it with you without any preparation is important to you.
Bear in mind: the whole pack may contain more than you want to eat. For example, Duyvis lists a 60 g bag of salted peanuts; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre uses 25 g as a reference portion for unsalted peanuts.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Fat per snack portion | Check the fat per 100 g and weigh your portion; calculate it as fat per 100 g × portion weight ÷ 100. | If I want to keep track of my fat intake at each eating occasion, I weigh my snack and use the value on the pack to work it out. Around 42% of consumers prioritise portion size and fat content. |
| Taking it with you without preparation | Compare the net weight with the amount you plan to eat; check whether you’ll be taking the whole pack with you. | If I want something to eat on the go without any preparation, I check how much is in the bag. Around 33% of consumers give taking it with them top priority. |
| Unsalted ingredients | Check the ingredients, salt and total fat separately; also check the allergen information on the exact pack. | If I want unsalted peanuts, I check the ingredients and nutritional information for the variety I’m buying. Around 25% of consumers prioritise these ingredients. |
Common pitfalls
-
Confusing unsalted with low fat
The unsalted varieties reviewed contain 48–52 g of fat per 100 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that solid foods can contain no more than 3 g of fat per 100 g to carry the ‘low fat’ claim.
Check salt and fat separately. Treat ‘unsalted’ as information about the ingredients, not as an indication of low fat content.
-
Assuming a bag is one portion
The pack size and the portion size aren’t the same. For the 300 g bag reviewed, Albert Heijn lists twelve 25 g portions.
Decide in advance how many grams you want to eat and stick to that amount, even if you take a pre-packed bag with you.
-
Comparing nutritional information for different portion sizes
Albert Heijn lists a 25 g portion, while Duyvis product information gives an average portion of 30 g for its unsalted variety. These portion values aren’t directly comparable.
Compare the values per 100 g first. Then use the same weighed amount for all varieties.
-
Buying a larger bag without planning what to do with the rest
Making several portions to take with you requires preparation. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises storing nuts in a well-sealed container in a dry place; also follow the storage instructions on your pack.
Only prepare portions that are practical to take with you, and seal the rest carefully after use.
If the rest isn’t stored according to the instructions, it could go to waste.
Brands to consider
Duyvis
Duyvis lists unsalted peanuts in a 235 g pack and salted varieties in several sizes, including 60 g.
- For its unsalted variety, Duyvis lists 52 g of fat per 100 g and peanuts and sunflower oil as ingredients.
- The smaller 60 g pack is part of the salted range. Neither pack size makes the peanuts low in fat.
Albert Heijn
AH Unsalted Peanuts 300 g is a larger bag for weighing out your own portions.
- For this variety, Albert Heijn lists twelve 25 g portions and 51 g of fat per 100 g.
- The bag isn’t an individual on-the-go portion. The nutritional information given applies to this pack.
Jumbo
Jumbo Unsalted Peanuts 250 g is a bag for making up your own portions at home.
- Jumbo product information lists 48.0 g of fat per 100 g, 99.5% peanuts and sunflower oil.
- The nutritional information applies to this exact variety; unsalted does not mean low in fat.
Lidl
Lidl lists a 285 g pack of unsalted peanuts, intended for portioning yourself.
- Lidl product information confirms the pack size and that the peanuts are unsalted.
- The pack isn’t an individual snack portion, and its weight tells you nothing about the fat content.
ALDI
ALDI Netherlands lists Trader Joe’s 250 g peanuts as roasted and unsalted.
- ALDI product information confirms the variety and pack size.
- Roasted and unsalted doesn’t mean the peanuts are low in fat.
PLUS
PLUS Unsalted Peanuts 250 g is a larger bag for weighing out your own portions.
- For this variety, PLUS lists 50 g of fat per 100 g, 99% peanuts and sunflower oil.
- PLUS advises storing the peanuts in a cool, dark place. The nutritional information given doesn’t automatically apply to other varieties.
Joybuy products for on-the-go snacking
This selection includes peanuts you can weigh out yourself, including an unsalted variety, as well as peanuts in their shells.
No image available
g’woon unsalted peanuts, 250 g
This unsalted variety may suit you if you want to weigh out an amount to take with you.
The product description lists roasted peanuts, 100% peanuts and 50 g of fat per 100 g. Seal the pack securely after opening.
No image available
g’woon peanuts in their shells, 500 g
This variety may suit you if you want to eat peanuts in their shells on the go and don’t mind shelling them.
The pack contains 500 g. You’ll need to remove the peanuts from their shells before eating; take a weighed portion with you for each snack.
Frequently asked questions
How do you work out the fat in your portion to take with you?
Multiply the fat per 100 g by the weight of your portion, then divide by 100. Jumbo Unsalted Peanuts 250 g lists 48.0 g of fat per 100 g; a weighed 25 g portion contains 12.0 g of fat. The 25 g is a calculation example, not a recommended amount for you personally.
Can a small bag of peanuts be advertised as ‘low fat’?
A small pack on its own isn’t a reason to call peanuts ‘low fat’. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, solid foods can contain no more than 3 g of fat per 100 g to carry this claim; the varieties reviewed from Jumbo, PLUS, Albert Heijn and Duyvis list 48–52 g per 100 g. EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 applies to nutrition claims in commercial communications.
How should you store the rest after preparing a portion?
Store the rest in a well-sealed container in a dry place and follow the storage instructions on the pack. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises storing nuts in a well-sealed container in a dry place; Albert Heijn also advises storing the pack reviewed in a cool, dark place. Duyvis product information recommends keeping an opened bag in a light- and air-tight container.
What allergen information should you check on a pack?
Peanuts are an allergen that must be listed on the label of pre-packed products. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that allergen information must appear on the label. If you have other relevant allergies, also check the warnings about possible traces of nuts on the exact pack you’re planning to buy.
Is this portion guide intended for young children?
This guide isn’t a recommendation to give whole peanuts to young children. Product information from Albert Heijn, PLUS and Duyvis warns that young children can choke on peanuts; this guide doesn’t specify a safe portion for children.