Hosts planning a lighter snack table
Compare the energy figures on a per-100g basis, then decide how many portions to set out before the party starts. Pack size alone does not tell you what each guest will take.
Who is this for?
Hosts offering an unsalted option
Check salt and energy separately. The sampled unsalted Sainsbury's mix has a higher declared kcal-per-100g figure than the sampled plain ASDA almonds.
Hosts serving families and mixed dietary groups
Keep nut packaging beside the food so guests can check ingredients and precautionary allergen statements. If small children are attending, offer an alternative to whole nuts.
What should you check?
Start with the per-100g energy figure for comparison, then plan portions and check the salt and allergen information on the packs you will serve.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Energy comparison | Compare declared kcal per 100g across products. Keep flavourings and nut mixtures in the comparison rather than assuming one type has a lower figure. | I want to compare the nuts on the same basis before choosing which to put on the table. |
| Portions | Check the stated serving weight and kcal per serving where labelled. Decide how many portions to decant and keep unopened packs aside. | A shared bowl will be easy to refill, so I want to control how much goes out at one time. |
| Salt | Compare salt per 100g or per stated serving on the same basis. Check whether a product is plain, unsalted or seasoned. | I would like a savoury choice without assuming that 'unsalted' also means fewer calories. |
| Allergens and children | Read the ingredients and any 'may contain' statement on each pack. Keep labels and serving utensils with their respective foods; consider alternatives to whole nuts for small children. | Guests need to identify what is in each dish, and younger children need a suitable option too. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming unsalted means fewer calories
Sainsbury's declares 660kcal per 100g for its Unsalted Mixed Nuts, while ASDA declares 580kcal per 100g for its plain almonds. Salt and energy answer different questions.
Compare kcal per 100g first if energy is your priority; use the salt declaration to make a separate choice.
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Using pack size as the portion size
A pack can provide several servings, while guests may take more than one scoop. For example, Sainsbury's lists 165kcal per 25g serving of its mixed nuts, and Tesco lists 185kcal per 30g serving of KP salted peanuts.
Set out a planned quantity in smaller dishes and retain unopened packs for refills.
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Putting nuts into an unlabelled shared bowl
The Food Standards Agency explains that precautionary allergen labelling communicates possible unintended allergen presence. An unlabelled bowl also makes the original ingredients harder for guests to check.
Keep each packet available beside its dish, use separate utensils and provide an alternative to whole nuts for small children.
Brand and retailer references
These examples show how particular UK product labels differ; a retailer or brand name alone does not establish the nutrition or allergen details of another pack.
ASDA
ASDA Almonds are a plain almond option in a 200g pack.
- ASDA declares 580kcal per 100g and 193kcal per one-sixth of the pack.
- Check the pack's allergen information before serving, particularly for guests with nut or peanut allergies.
Sainsbury's
Its Unsalted Mixed Nuts provide a mixed-nut option in a 200g pack.
- Sainsbury's declares less than 0.01g salt and 165kcal per 25g serving.
- The same product declares 660kcal per 100g; unsalted does not mean lower in energy than the other examples here.
KP
KP Original Salted Peanuts are a roasted, salted peanut option.
- Tesco's KP listing declares 185kcal per 30g serving.
- That serving also declares 0.36g salt; check the product label for allergens before serving.
M&S
M&S Cashew Nuts come in a 70g pack, which a host could open only when needed.
- Marks & Spencer declares 601kcal per 100g for this product.
- Marks & Spencer says it is unsuitable for people with nut, peanut or sesame allergies.
Tesco
Tesco's listing for KP Original Salted Peanuts provides a serving-size reference for that specific product.
- The listing declares 615kcal and 1.2g salt per 100g.
- Check the label on the pack being served, particularly its allergen statement.
Joybuy nut options
These Joybuy options include unsalted peanuts, salted nuts and mixed nuts for a street-party table. Compare the current pack labels for energy, serving size, salt and allergens before choosing what to serve.
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KP Snacks Unsalted Roasted Peanuts 250g
An unsalted peanut option for guests who prefer to avoid a salted snack. Check the pack's energy and serving information when planning bowl portions, and keep its peanut and other allergen information available.
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Laila Roasted & Salted Pistachios 700g
This larger salted pistachio pack can be opened for a shared table. Decide how much to put out rather than treating the 700g pack as one serving, and check its salt and allergen label.
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Morrisons Chopped Mixed Nuts 125g
The chopped format may suit a topping station rather than a bowl of whole nuts. Check which nuts the pack contains and its energy declaration before serving it to a mixed group.
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ONTRUE Roasted Salted Peanuts 300g
A roasted, salted peanut option in a 300g pack. Compare its labelled kcal per 100g and salt with unsalted options, and keep the peanut allergen information beside the serving dish.
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Wo Long Assorted Pure Nuts 500g Tin
A 500g assorted-nut tin provides a mixed option for sharing. Check the label for the particular nuts, energy figure and allergens, and portion out what you plan to serve.
Questions about serving nuts
Are nuts a low-calorie street-party snack?
Do not assume they are: the four products compared using ASDA, Marks & Spencer, Tesco and Sainsbury's declarations range from 580 to 660kcal per 100g. Choose between them using the per-100g figure, then set out a planned portion rather than relying on the pack size.
What portion can I use when planning a nut bowl?
Start with the serving weight on the particular pack. ASDA lists 193kcal per one-sixth of its 200g almond pack, Sainsbury's lists 165kcal per 25g of its mixed nuts, and Tesco lists 185kcal per 30g of KP salted peanuts. Those are different weights, so compare kcal per 100g when choosing between products.
Does unsalted mean lower in calories?
No. Sainsbury's Unsalted Mixed Nuts declare less than 0.01g salt per 25g serving but 660kcal per 100g; ASDA Almonds declare 580kcal per 100g. Check energy and salt separately for the products you are considering.
How should I show allergen information at a shared table?
Keep each original packet beside its serving dish and use separate utensils. The Food Standards Agency explains that a precautionary allergen statement indicates an allergen could be unintentionally present, so guests need access to both the ingredients and any such statement on the particular pack.
What if small children are coming?
Provide an alternative to whole nuts for small children. The ASDA almond and Tesco-listed KP peanut product information warns that small children can choke on nuts; keep that risk in mind when arranging an accessible shared snack table.