Who should consider this choice?

Anyone who wants to eat shortly before setting off

If your training is about to start, the size of your snack matters most. The Voedingscentrum advises against having a large portion or lots of fat, protein or fibre just before exercise.

Anyone who plans their meal in advance

If your training doesn’t start for another 2 to 3 hours, you can consider having a currant bun as part of a meal or a larger snack. The Voedingscentrum recommends eating a regular meal around 2 to 3 hours before exercise.

Anyone who reads food labels carefully

If you’re comparing wholemeal flour, fibre, salt or allergens, check the packaging of the variant you choose. According to the Voedingscentrum, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt, so don’t assume it’s included based on the product name.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, think about when you’ll be exercising and how much you want to eat. The Voedingscentrum recommends having a regular meal around 2 to 3 hours beforehand and advises against eating a large portion just before exercise. Then use the label to compare different options.

What to consider What to check when buying Who should pay particular attention?
Portion and timing Check the weight of each bun and, if needed, choose a mini version or eat part of a regular bun. If I’m eating shortly before setting off, I don’t want a large portion just before training. Around 36% of consumers would put portion size and timing first.
What you eat just before exercise Compare fibre per 100 g and take the toppings and the rest of your snack into account too. If you’re prone to feeling uncomfortably full during exercise, you’ll want to tailor your whole snack to what feels comfortable. Around 29% of consumers would make this their first consideration.
Wholemeal and fibre Look for wholemeal flour in the ingredients list and compare fibre per 100 g. If I eat currant buns at other times too, the make-up of my everyday bread choices may matter more. Around 21% of consumers would prioritise wholemeal and fibre.
Allergens and salt Read the latest allergen information and check whether baker’s salt or iodised salt is listed. For anyone who needs to know exactly what’s in a bun because of allergens or the type of salt used, checking the label comes first. Around 14% of consumers would make this their main consideration.

Common mistakes

  • Treating a large or generously topped bun as a small snack

    According to the Voedingscentrum, a large portion and lots of fat, protein or fibre can stay in your stomach for longer if you eat them just before exercise.

    Adjust the amount to suit your start time. Have a regular meal around 2 to 3 hours beforehand, and choose a smaller portion closer to your training that feels comfortable for you.

  • Assuming a dark currant bun is wholemeal

    The colour or a reference to grains doesn’t tell you whether it’s made with wholemeal flour. The Voedingscentrum recommends replacing white bread with wholemeal or brown bread as often as possible, but if you’re eating before exercise, you’ll also need to consider the timing of a higher-fibre option.

    Check the ingredients list for wholemeal flour and compare fibre per 100 g.

  • Assuming every currant bun is made with baker’s salt

    Not every baker uses baker’s salt, according to the Voedingscentrum. So you can’t tell whether a bun contains iodine just by making a general assumption.

    Look for baker’s salt or iodised salt on the packaging. If the bun is sold loose, ask which type of salt was used.

  • Relying on an old product listing instead of the packaging

    Ingredients and allergen information can vary between products or change over time. This matters particularly if a specific ingredient is a deciding factor for you.

    When you buy, read the label on the packaging you’ve chosen rather than relying only on a product page you viewed earlier.

Brands compared

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn lists AH Raisin Currant Buns in a pack of six: white wheat buns that, according to the product page, contain 30% raisins and 4.2% currants.

  • The product information gives a serving size of 65 g and lists iodised salt.
  • The listed allergens include wheat, milk and rye. Check the packaging if the ingredients or allergens are important to you.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists Raisin Currant Buns in a pack of six.

  • For the standard version, Jumbo provides nutritional information per 65 g bun and lists baker’s salt.
  • According to the product listing, a separate wholemeal mini version was no longer available online. Don’t assume it’s available without checking the current range.

PLUS

PLUS lists regular currant buns, mini currant and raisin buns, a longer-life pack and giant currant and raisin buns.

  • The different sizes let you choose a pack that suits the portion size you want.
  • A mini or giant size doesn’t tell you anything about the nutritional make-up per 100 g; compare your chosen version using the label.

Lidl

Lidl Netherlands lists currant buns in packs of six, as well as mini raisin and currant buns.

  • You can compare a regular pack with a mini size to see which suits your preferred portion.
  • Check the label of the version you choose for ingredients, allergens, fibre and the type of salt used.

ALDI

ALDI Netherlands lists raisin and currant buns in packs of six, as well as separate packs of four giant raisin buns.

  • The product listings give you a starting point for comparing regular currant buns with a larger raisin bun.
  • A giant raisin bun isn’t the same product as a regular raisin and currant bun. Check the label of the version you choose for nutritional information and allergens.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Can I eat a currant bun just before exercising?

A small portion may suit you if you find it comfortable, but it’s best to avoid a large meal just before exercise. The Voedingscentrum recommends having a regular meal around 2 to 3 hours beforehand and advises against large portions or lots of fat, protein or fibre just before exercise.

Is a wholemeal currant bun always the best choice before exercise?

No, the timing of your training still matters. For everyday bread choices, the Voedingscentrum recommends choosing wholemeal or brown bread more often instead of white bread, but advises against having lots of fibre just before exercise. Check the ingredients list to see whether the currant bun is actually made with wholemeal flour.

Are all Dutch currant buns made with baker’s salt?

No. According to the Voedingscentrum, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. For packaged currant buns, look for baker’s salt or iodised salt on the label. If the buns are sold loose, ask which type of salt was used.

Can I choose a regular currant bun if I have a gluten or milk allergy?

Don’t assume so without reading the label on the specific pack. The standard versions from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS in this comparison list cereals containing gluten and milk ingredients; the allergen information on the product you choose is what matters.

Can I freeze currant buns?

It depends on the storage instructions for the pack you choose. PLUS says its regular currant buns can be frozen at home on the day of purchase; for other versions, follow the storage instructions on the label.