Shift worker looking for a bread snack to bring along
You want something you can pack individually and eat during your shift. Compare the weight and nutritional values per bun, not just the figures per 100 g.
Who is this choice for?
Colleague looking to bring in a treat
If sharing and variety are the main things you’re looking for in a snack, a chocolate assortment could be a good fit. It won’t help with tiredness, though: the Netherlands Nutrition Centre says chocolate’s stimulating effect is very weak.
Shopper who needs to check allergens
Check the ingredients and allergen warnings for the product you’ve chosen before buying. The currant buns described by Albert Heijn and Jumbo contain wheat and milk, among other ingredients; ingredients vary between chocolate assortments.
What should you look for when choosing?
Currant bun
Best for: an individual bread snack you can take with you.
Bear in mind: the weight and nutritional values per bun vary by product.
Box of chocolates
Best for: a treat to share with colleagues.
Bear in mind: according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, chocolate’s stimulating effect is very weak.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Portion and nutritional value | Compare the nutritional values per 100 g and per bun, and check the actual weight of a portion. | I want to bring one bread snack and be able to estimate how much I’ll eat in advance. An individual portion is the priority for around 50% of consumers. |
| Buying a treat to share | Check the pack size and decide how much chocolate you want to hand out. | If I want to share something with colleagues, the treat matters more than a bread portion. Around 30% of consumers are thought to prioritise sharing. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list, the allergens listed and any warnings on the current packaging. | I need to know which ingredients and allergens the product contains before choosing it. This is the most important selection criterion for around 20% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Choosing chocolate to stay awake
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre describes chocolate’s stimulating effect as very weak. A box of chocolates is therefore not a proven solution to tiredness during a night shift.
Choose chocolate as a treat to share, and decide in advance what portion is right for you.
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Assuming every currant bun is the same size
The nutritional values the Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives for an average currant bun are based on a 50 g bun. The products described by Albert Heijn and Jumbo list buns weighing 65 g, so the values per bun aren’t directly comparable.
Start by comparing the nutritional values per 100 g, then check the weight of the bun you’ll actually be taking with you.
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Relying on the product name alone when you have allergies
The currant buns described by Albert Heijn and Jumbo contain wheat and milk. A name such as ‘currant bun’ or ‘chocolate assortment’ won’t tell you what other ingredients or warnings apply to the product you’ve chosen.
Check the current label every time you buy, even if you’ve bought the product before.
Brands to consider
Jumbo
Jumbo’s product information for Jumbo Rozijnen Krentenbollen refers to a pack of six.
- For this product, Jumbo lists the ingredients, allergens and nutritional values per 100 g and per 65 g bun.
- According to Jumbo, this particular product contains gluten, wheat and milk. Check the other warnings on the packaging too.
Albert Heijn
The product information for AH Rozijnen krentenbollen shows which details you can compare when choosing a pack of currant buns.
- For this particular product, Albert Heijn lists six 65 g buns, with 30% raisins and 4.2% currants.
- The product page in question says this item is no longer in the range. Don’t use its details as the label information for another product.
Chocolate assortments on Joybuy
These products are a good match if you’re choosing chocolate as a treat to share during a night shift. If you’re looking for an individual bread snack, compare currant buns by portion size and label instead.
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Merci Petits Chocolate Collection, 125 g
A chocolate collection to enjoy as a treat or share with others. The pack contains 125 g; check how many individual pieces you want to hand out, and read the current label if you have allergies.
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Milka Chocolate Assortment Party Pack, 143 g
A chocolate assortment for sharing. The pack contains 143 g; check the current product information for the portion size per chocolate and allergen details.
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Lindt Lindor Cornet Assorted, 200 g
An assortment of chocolate truffles to enjoy as a treat or share with others. The cornet contains 200 g; check the portion size per truffle and the current allergen information if these are important to your choice.
Frequently asked questions
Does chocolate help you stay awake during a night shift?
Don’t rely on chocolate to keep you awake. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, certain substances in chocolate have a stimulating effect, but it’s very weak. So choose a box of chocolates as a treat to share, not as a way to stay alert.
How do I compare the portion of a currant bun with a portion of chocolate?
First compare the nutritional values per 100 g, then consider how much you’ll actually eat. For an average 50 g currant bun, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists, among other things, 134 kcal, 15.9 g of sugars and 2 g of fibre. The currant buns described by Albert Heijn and Jumbo weigh 65 g each. For chocolate, use the portion information on the pack you’ve chosen.
How can I check whether a currant bun contains iodised salt?
Read the ingredients list for the currant buns you want to buy. Albert Heijn lists iodised salt in the variant described, but that doesn’t tell you anything about the ingredients in another currant bun.
Where can I find allergen information for a packaged snack?
Check the ingredients list and any warnings on the current packaging. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergens which must be declared are identified in the ingredients list of prepacked foods. Don’t rely on the product name alone for currant buns or chocolate.