Nutrition Info: Calories in Singapore Buns

Posted on | November 9, 2010 | No Comments

Bread based treats have well and truly infiltrated the Asian Palate.  It’s very common for western country folk to snack on buns and savoury pastries from outlets like your local bakery, brumby’s or bakers delight but up to 3 – 5 years ago, a bread bun treat would almost have been impossible to find easily in most Asian countries.

How things have changed! Now, in every shopping centre food court you can find at least one of these popular outlets in Singapore: Bread Talk, Bread Society, Le Provence.

You often don’t need a sign to find where these outlets are because you generally just have to follow the smell of freshly baked bread wafting through the shopping centres.  Baked fresh on site, the uniquely asian varieties of buns and pastries make them the perfect snack as they are quick, cheap and tasty.  Amazingly, the selection changes throughout the day also.  Most offer ‘breakfasty’ options containing some ham, cheese, chicken, tuna, tomato, turkey, mushroom, nuts and leave the sweet cream, custard and fruity options for later in the day.

Some of the unique asian flavours that can be found are:

• Chicken floss bun
• Pork floss bun
• An Pan
• Raisin/ Cranberry scones
• Sausage bun
• Chocolate or cream Wassant
• Apple worms
• Custard logs
• Teriyaki pan
• Raisin Bread
• Hokkaido Buns (Red & White Beans)
• Dragon Fruit Danish

Unfortunately when searching around for exact nutrition information, not too much is available – but if you know the individual ingredients nutrition you can add things up to give you a close ball park figure for what you’re eating.

Rule 1: These buns are made with LOADS of sugar and butter which makes them so yummy and melt in your mouth delicious.

• 1 tablesoon sugar = 70 calories
• 1 tablespoon butter = 145 calories

Rule 2: If it contains cream or creamy ingredients it’s generally going to be worse for you.

• 1 tablespoon cream = 80 calories
• 1 tablespoon custard = 80 calories

Rule 3: Don’t forget to add up the other bits that make it tasty

• 1 tablespoon icing/frosting = 100 calories
• 1 tablespoon apple filling = 50 calories
• 1 tablespoon currants = 30 calories
• 1 tablespoon nuts = 100 calories
• 1 tablespoon chicken or pork floss = 20 calories
• 1 tablespoon red beans = 40 calories
• 1 tablespoon flavoured chicken = 60 calories
• 1 tablespoon mayonnaise = 130 calories
• 1 tablespoon cheese = 70 calories
• 1 mini sausage = 60 calories

Rule 4:  Don’t forget the bread bit

• 1 average bun = 200 calories
• 1 average sweet pastry = 230 calories

Here’s what I could find on-line (sorry – not much)

Pork Floss Bun:  389 Calories.  12g Protein.  36g Carbs.  22g Fat.

Steamed Cake:  200 Calories.

What you can do:

I know it’s quite tempting to succumb to the smell of these treats, but ask yourself are you really going to feel satisfied after eating it? Because remember, it won’t fill you up as they are so small – and you may even be tempted to eat more. They are loaded with calories, fat and sugar which is going to make it easier to gain weight.

If you are feeling like you need a snack when you’re out – drop into a Cold Storage (Woolworths) and grab a piece of fruit and bottle of water. It’s always best if you don’t go shopping when you’re hungry as you’re more tempted to snack.  And I always remind myself that my stomach doesn’t really care what goes into it – my eyes, nose and brain decide that.  So, your stomach won’t care if you put an apple and 500ml of water in – instead of a chicken floss bun.  Satisfy your hunger with something healthy, and you’ll be much happier when you feel full and taken at least 50% less calories.

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