The peanuts examined are not low-calorie products. If you want to manage the energy content of your walking snack, compare kcal per 100 g and weigh out your own portion. Of five varieties from Duyvis, Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS, Jumbo Unsalted Peanuts 250 g has the lowest stated energy value, at 602 kcal per 100 g. For a long, strenuous walk, you should also make sure your overall plan includes enough food and carbohydrates.
You want to know how much you’re taking with you and eating. The energy per 100 g and the weight of your own portion are a more useful guide than the product name alone. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists 157 kcal per 25 g handful of unsalted peanuts as a general nutritional reference.
You want your snack to fit into your overall nutrition plan. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre stresses the importance of getting enough carbohydrates during endurance sports, so a small portion of peanuts is not automatically a complete source of fuel for exercise.
You want to keep an eye on salt and ingredients, but unsalted doesn’t always mean oil-free. Check the ingredients and allergen information for the exact variety on the packaging, too.
First compare the energy per 100 g, then calculate the amount for your own portion. For a long, strenuous walk, you should also consider how the snack fits into your overall nutrition plan.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Energy per portion | Check the kcal per 100 g for the exact variety and weigh out the amount you’re taking with you. | I want to know in advance how much energy my snack portion will provide. Consumers who prioritise the energy content of a portion make up around 42% of consumers with this purchasing priority. |
| Fuel for your walk | Distinguish between a gentle walk and prolonged, strenuous activity; also consider carbohydrates and your overall diet. | For a long, strenuous walk, I don’t want to base my nutrition plan solely on a low energy value. Around 25% of consumers give nutrition for these kinds of walks top priority. |
| Salt and ingredients | Check the salt, ingredients and allergen information on the packaging for the exact variety. | I want to know what’s in my snack and make an informed choice based on the salt content and ingredients. Consumers with this priority make up around 17% of consumers with this purchasing priority. |
| Packaging and storage | Check the net weight, portion out the amount you want in advance and follow the storage instructions after opening. | I want to take my portion with me easily and store the rest properly at home. Around 16% of consumers prioritise practical shopping and portability. |
A product can be unsalted and still contain sunflower oil. Duyvis product information lists 614 kcal per 100 g for the unsalted variety examined.
Check the energy value, portion weight, salt and ingredients separately.
The Jumbo Unsalted Peanuts 250 g examined lists a 30 g portion; the AH and Jumbo Kingsize varieties examined list a 25 g portion. This means their per-portion values are not based on the same amount.
Compare the values per 100 g first, then calculate them all for the same portion weight.
A pack may contain several portions. The 300 g AH pack examined lists twelve 25 g portions.
Weigh out the amount that suits your snacking needs at home and take it with you separately.
Getting enough food, including carbohydrates, plays a different role during prolonged, strenuous activity than it does on a gentle walk. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s advice does not mean that guidance for strenuous exercise applies to every walk.
First consider the type of walk and your overall nutrition plan, then use the energy value to work out a suitable portion.
The Duyvis Unsalted Peanuts examined are a 235 g variety.
The AH Unsalted Peanuts examined are a roasted variety in a 300 g pack.
The varieties examined include regular unsalted peanuts in a 250 g pack and Kingsize peanuts in a 350 g pack.
Lidl Netherlands describes a 200 g variety of roasted, unsalted peanuts.
ALDI Netherlands sells 250 g packs of roasted, unsalted peanuts under the Trader Joe’s name.
The PLUS Unsalted Peanuts examined are roasted peanuts in a 250 g bag.
These product picks are peanuts to take with you as a snack. Check the nutritional information and preparation method for each variety before weighing out a portion.
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An option if you want to portion out unsalted peanuts yourself.
The product information lists 99% peanuts and sunflower oil.
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An option if you’re looking for peanuts as a snack; check the nutritional information for this variety to work out the energy content of your portion.
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An option if you want to take peanuts in their shells with you as a snack.
The peanuts need to be shelled before eating.
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An option if you’re looking for a tea-flavoured peanut snack.
The product information lists salt and tea flavouring; this variety is not unsalted. The peanuts are in their shells and need to be shelled.
The product description lists 626 kcal per 100 g.
No. The five varieties examined from Duyvis, Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS with nutritional information contain 602–625 kcal per 100 g. According to the European Commission, the nutrition claim ‘low energy’ for solid foods has a limit of 40 kcal per 100 g. So compare portions without describing the products as low-calorie.
Multiply the kcal per 100 g by the weight of your portion, then divide by 100. For a 25 g portion of Jumbo Unsalted Peanuts 250 g, that’s: 602 × 25 ÷ 100 = 150.5 kcal. This calculation is based on the nutritional value stated by Jumbo.
Not automatically. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists 3 g of carbohydrates per 25 g of unsalted peanuts as a general nutritional reference, and discusses additional sports nutrition for prolonged, intensive training. Consider your overall nutrition plan, and don’t automatically apply advice for strenuous exercise to a gentle walk.
Check the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging for the exact variety. Peanuts are an allergen in their own right, so don’t choose peanut products as a snack if you have a peanut allergy. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that allergen information must appear on the label of prepacked products.
Take your weighed portion separately and follow the storage instructions on the packaging for the rest. For the variety examined, Albert Heijn recommends storing it in a cool, dark, dry place and sealing the pack securely after use; PLUS says to store it in a dry, dark place. Check the current packaging for the best-before date.
