BalajiChips & Snacks#18 of 49 in categoryRating 3/5

Balaji Shing Peanuts

Red flags

  • Red flag: High sodium (798mg per 100g)
  • Red flag: High saturated fat (12g)
  • Red flag: Palm oil listed

Green flags

  • Green flag: High protein (20.3g per 100g)
  • Green flag: No added sugar

Ingredients, decoded

8 listed
  • Peanut (63%)
  • Chickpea Flour (13%)
  • Edible Vegetable Oil (Palmolein, Rice Bran)
  • Corn Flour
  • Black Gram Flour
  • Spices & Condiments 2% (Chilli, Black Pepper, Ginger, Dry Mango, Clove, Carom Seeds, Tamarind)
  • Edible Common Salt
  • Acidity Regulator (INS 330)
ConcernWorth watchingIn label order. Tap a highlighted one to learn more.

DA4

Nutrition per 100 g
DNutritionAIngredients4Risk
VerdictFAIR
Energy640 kcal
Protein20.3 g
Carbohydrates26.5 g
Total sugars2 g
Added sugars0 g
Total fat47.4 g
Saturated fat12 g
Trans fat0.1 g
Sodium798 mg
Highlighted values exceed FSSAI and UK FSA front of pack thresholds.

Our take

CleanPlate review

Mostly peanuts, heavily fried and salted.

Balaji Shing Peanuts are 63% peanuts coated in chickpea, corn and black gram flours, fried and spiced.

CleanPlate scores it DA4. The D for nutrition reflects that good protein is outweighed by very high energy. The A for ingredients reflects real spices and a single additive. The 4 for risk comes from energy density and sodium.

Claims vs reality

What the pack says, checked against the ingredient list and nutrition panel.

  • Product name

    “Shing (Peanuts)”

    Holds

    Peanuts are 63% of the pack.

How DA4 breaks down

Each grade is scored on its own. Here are the label numbers behind each one, per 100 g.

How we score →
01 Nutritional valueA to E
D

Low nutrient density

Protein
20.3 g
Fibre
Not declared
Vitamins and minerals
None declared
Energy
640 kcal

Scored on eight nutrients (protein, fibre, calcium, iron, vitamins A, C, D and zinc), per 100 g and per 100 kcal.

02 Ingredient & label integrityA to E
A

Clean, minimally processed

Base
Peanut
Main fat
Edible Vegetable Oil
Sweeteners
None added
Additives
1
Flagged
Palmolein

Scored on six things: base processing, fat quality, sweeteners, additives, colours and flavours.

03 Risk nutrients1 to 5
4

High risk

Added sugar
0 g
Sodium
798 mg
Saturated fat
12 g
Trans fat
0.1 g

Scored on added sugar, sodium and saturated fat, with a penalty for trans fat.

A closer look

Does the label add up?

Peanuts are 63%, chickpea flour 13%, fried in palmolein and rice bran oil, with corn and black gram flours. Spices (2%) include chilli, black pepper, ginger, dry mango, clove, ajwain and tamarind. The only additive is citric acid.

Per 100 g: 640 kcal, 20.3 g protein, 47.4 g fat (12 g saturated), 0 g added sugar and 798 mg sodium.

Ingredients to watch

  • Energy densityConcern

    640 kcal per 100 g. A 50 g pack is 320 kcal.

  • SodiumConcern

    798 mg per 100 g.

  • PalmoleinWorth watching

    Part of the frying oil.

Common misconceptions

Myth: "Peanuts are healthy, so masala peanuts are too"

The coating, frying and salt change the picture.

Myth: "Protein snacks are always light"

This one is extremely energy-dense, even for a snack.

How often, and how

  • AdultsA small handful
  • ChildrenSmall handful occasionally
  • Watching blood pressureLimit

Smarter ways to eat it

Roasted peanuts

Dry-roasted peanuts with a pinch of chaat masala keep the protein with far less fat and salt.

Portion out

Measure 25 g into a bowl.

Common questions

Is Balaji Shing Peanuts healthy?

Balaji Shing Peanuts scores DA4 (Fair) on CleanPlate, which makes it an occasional-use product, where the concerns start to outweigh the positives. The main concerns are: High sodium (798mg per 100g); High saturated fat (12g); Palm oil listed. On the plus side: High protein (20.3g per 100g); No added sugar.

What does the DA4 score mean?

The first letter (D) grades nutritional value: low nutrient density. The second letter (A) grades ingredient and label integrity: clean, minimally processed. The number (4) grades risk nutrients (sugar, sodium, saturated fat): high risk.

Which ingredients in Balaji Shing Peanuts should I watch?

Edible Vegetable Oil (Palmolein, Rice Bran) (Palmolein).

Last reviewed 2026-07-17. Scored with the CleanPlate method from the published label.

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