Is a currant bun healthy or not?

For many Dutch people it is a standard way of filling the bread bin: currant buns. Not surprising, because you can easily grab a pair. In countless families there are bags of it every week. Whether you're going to work, school or just taking a leisurely stroll, currant buns are the ideal lunch.

But is a currant bun healthy as a lunch or snack? Or do they rather fall into the category of cheese sticks and croissants - types of bread that you should especially not eat too often? Today we will discuss in detail all the factors that make currant buns healthy or unhealthy.

Calories in a currant bun

The first thing many people often want to know about these types of questions is how many calories are in a food. That is not very strange. After all, calories largely determine the influence of your diet on your weight. While you shouldn't let everything depend on them, they are undoubtedly an important factor!
The first thing that many people often want to know about these kinds of questions is how many calories are in a food. That is not very strange. After all, calories largely determine the influence of your diet on your weight. While you shouldn't let everything depend on them, they are undoubtedly an important factor!

A currant bun contains 270 calories per 100 grams. Most currant buns are now lighter, about 50 grams (although that is of course something depending on the size). With one currant bun you get an average of about 135 calories. That's not a whole lot, just right for a quick snack to avoid cravings between meals.

But where exactly do those calories come from? A currant bun consists largely of carbohydrates. Part of the bun consists of currants, which, like all dried fruit, are very rich in sugars. Currant buns therefore provide about 52 grams of carbohydrates per 100 grams. Then there are 3 grams of fat, of which 0.5 grams is saturated, and finally 8 grams of protein.

Of course that is all exclusive of toppings. When you, like many people, always spread a thick layer of butter on the currant buns, it increases the number of fats and calories considerably. For example, the currant bun is considerably less suitable as a slim snack.
Of course that is all exclusive of toppings. When you, like many people, always put a thick layer of butter on the currant buns, it increases the number of fats and calories considerably. For example, the currant bun is considerably less suitable as a slim snack.

However, there is still one factor that we will really have to take into account to determine whether a currant bun is healthy. Despite the fact that a currant bun does not contain a lot of calories, the number of sugars is relatively high! They can still raise your blood sugar significantly, with all that that entails.

Moreover, the high sugar content ensures that you will soon be hungry again. When you realize that the vast majority of the Dutch eat too much sugar, this is perhaps the strongest argument against the currant bun.

So, all things considered, is a currant bun healthy? It kind of falls into the 'middle category'. There are healthy alternatives such as wholemeal bread or spelled bread. In any case, a currant bun comes off considerably better than many other high-calorie sandwiches such as sausage bread or sausage bread.

A currant bun contains a very reasonable amount of nutrients, and the amount of calories is not bad. For athletes there is not much protein in it, but that can of course be compensated by adding protein-rich toppings on the currant bun, such as cottage cheese with ham, chicken fillet or roast beef.
A currant bun contains a very reasonable amount of nutrients, and the amount of calories is not bad. For athletes it does not contain much protein, but that can of course be compensated by adding protein-rich toppings on the currant bun, such as cottage cheese with ham, chicken fillet or roast beef.

And actually, as with many of these types of products, health depends on the rest of the diet. Does the total amount of nutrients also reach a point where you want it with the currant buns? Then you can choose it now and then without any problems.
And actually, as with many such products, health depends on the rest of the diet. Does the total amount of nutrients also reach a point where you want it with the currant buns? Then you can choose it now and then without any problems.

And do you really want to know for sure what exactly disappears in your currant buns? Then it is of course also very easy to make them yourself. That way you can be sure that you do not have products from the supermarket that could contain all kinds of unnecessary additives. The next recipe will take you a while, but that time is mainly in the rising. It yields about twelve currant buns.

Take 300 grams of currants (or raisins) and let them soak for ten minutes. Then drain and pat dry. Then make the dough: knead 450 (spelled) flour with 6 grams of dry yeast, 25 grams of sugar (optional - or less to taste), 30 grams of softened butter and 300 ml of milk. Add another 8 grams of salt after kneading for 5 minutes. You can add a little more flour or water if the dough is too wet or dry.
Take 300 grams of currants (or raisins) and let them soak for ten minutes. Then drain and pat dry. Then make the dough: knead 450 (spelled) flour with 6 grams of dry yeast, 25 grams of sugar (optional - or less to taste), 30 grams of softened butter and 300 ml of milk. After kneading for 5 minutes, add another 8 grams of salt. You can add a little more flour or water if the dough is too wet or dry.

Finally knead the raisins into the dough, until well mixed. Let the dough rise for about an hour with a tea towel over the bowl. It now roughly doubles in size. Then make about 12 equal balls. Let them lie for a while, and then cover them with (greased) cling film. Let rise again for an hour. Finally, bake the currant buns at 200 degrees for 15 minutes. You can also freeze them perfectly!