Compare peanuts for a student dinner by pack weight and nutritional values per 100 g, then weigh the amount you use. None of the varieties reviewed is low in calories under the EU claim threshold. Choosing a smaller portion doesn’t change how the product is classified, but it does change how much you eat.
You want to use peanuts as a snack or add them to a meal, and decide for yourself how much to eat. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists 157 kcal per 25 g of unsalted peanuts; always check the label too for the nutritional values of a specific pack.
You’re looking for a pack that suits the amount you’ll actually use. Compare the pack weights and think about how you’ll store the peanuts once opened.
You want an ingredient for a simple dinner and are choosing between an unsalted variety and peanuts with extra flavourings. Lidl describes its roasted unsalted peanuts as suitable for cooking or snacking; Duyvis lists recipes as a use for its oven-roasted variety.
First decide whether you’re mainly concerned with how much you eat, the pack size, how you’ll use the peanuts in a dish or the ingredients in the variety.
| What to consider | What should you look for? | Who is this important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Calories per portion | Compare kcal per 100 g and calculate the value for the amount you weigh out. | If I want to know how much energy my portion contains, I weigh the peanuts and use the nutritional values for the exact pack. Around 34% of consumers prioritise calories per eating occasion. |
| Amount in the pack | Check the pack weight and choose an amount that suits what you’ll use. | I want a pack that suits my limited student budget, without buying more than I’ll use. Around 33% of consumers prioritise the amount for a student dinner. |
| Use in a dish | Check whether the variety is unsalted or seasoned, and whether it suits your recipe. | If I’m adding peanuts to a simple dinner, I consider how the flavourings will work with the rest of the dish. Around 20% of consumers mainly choose based on how suitable the product is for cooking. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients and allergen information for the exact variety. | I want to know whether a variety contains extra salt, sugar or allergens before I cook with it. Around 13% of consumers prioritise the ingredients. |
Unsalted describes the flavour variety, not its energy content. Duyvis Ongezouten lists 614 kcal per 100 g, while Duyvis Oven roasted Original lists 606 kcal per 100 g. For solid foods, the European Commission sets a maximum of 40 kcal (170 kJ) per 100 g for the ‘low energy’ claim.
Compare kcal per 100 g, then decide on your portion. Consider salt and the preparation method as separate characteristics.
The Duyvis honey variety reviewed lists 561 kcal per 100 g, but also 25 g of sugars and 1.4 g of salt per 100 g. The product page also lists peanuts and wheat as allergens.
First decide whether you’re looking for an unsalted ingredient for a meal or a sweet-and-savoury snack. Then compare the nutritional values for the same amount.
The packs reviewed range from 225 to 300 g. If pack weights differ, comparing the bags alone isn’t like for like.
Compare nutritional values per 100 g and, if needed, calculate them for the same portion weight.
Duyvis Ongezouten, Oven roasted Original and the honey variety differ in their ingredients, salt content and nutritional values.
Check the full variety name, pack weight, ingredients and nutrition table for the product you want to use.
The varieties listed let you compare unsalted, oven-roasted and honey peanuts.
The 300 g AH Ongezouten pack listed is an unsalted roasted variety for snacking or using in recipes.
Jumbo Ongezouten 250 g is an example of an unsalted variety to compare nutritional values on an equal-weight basis.
PLUS Ongezouten 250 g is a useful comparison if you’re looking for an unsalted variety.
The Dutch product page describes 200 g of roasted unsalted peanuts for cooking or snacking.
A Dutch ALDI product page describes Trader Joe’s 250 g peanuts as roasted and unsalted.
These Joybuy options include peanuts for snacking and use in dishes, in a range of varieties and formats.
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An unsalted variety for anyone wanting to use peanuts as a snack or in a recipe.
The product description lists 99% peanuts, sunflower oil and 0.02 g of salt.
The product information warns that it may contain cashew nuts.
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The 1 kg pack may be a good option if that amount suits what you use for dishes or snacks.
Check the exact variety and ingredients before using these peanuts as an unsalted option.
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These roasted peanuts are in their shells, so allow extra time to shell them before use.
The product description lists tea, salt and flavourings.
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The product description suggests using these in sweet and savoury dishes; shell the peanuts before use.
The product information warns that traces of nuts may be present.
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Peanut powder is a different format from whole peanuts; the product description suggests using it in sauces and baking.
Peanuts are an allergen.
No. The nutrition tables compared here don’t meet the EU threshold for the ‘low energy’ claim. For solid foods, the European Commission sets a maximum of 40 kcal (170 kJ) per 100 g. Choosing a smaller portion doesn’t change how the product is classified.
No. According to the European Commission, the ‘reduced energy’ claim requires at least 30% less energy than a comparable product, and the characteristic responsible for the reduction must be stated. ‘Unsalted’ or ‘without added cooking fat’ alone doesn’t prove that a product meets this claim.
Choose one weight in grams for your comparison and calculate each nutritional value for that amount. To work out a label value per 100 g for a portion, multiply it by the portion weight and divide by 100. This lets you compare the same amount, even when packs list different portion sizes.
Follow the instructions on the exact pack. Albert Heijn recommends storing the unsalted peanuts listed in a cool, dark, dry place and sealing the pack well; Duyvis recommends keeping an opened bag in a light-proof, airtight container. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says unsalted peanuts can be kept in a kitchen cupboard for six months, after which their quality may deteriorate.
Read the allergen information on the exact pack. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, peanuts must be listed as an allergen on prepacked foods. Seasoned varieties may also list other allergens; for example, the honey variety reviewed lists wheat and cereals containing gluten.
