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Croissant vs. Danish Pastry — Health Impact and Nutrition Comparison

Article author photo Ani Harutyunyan by Ani Harutyunyan | Last updated on July 25, 2024
Medically reviewed by Astghik Baghinyan Article author photo Astghik Baghinyan

Table of contents

  1. Introduction
    1. What's the Actual Difference?
      1. Nutrition
        1. Macronutrients and Calories
          1. Calories
          2. Fats
          3. Cholesterol
          4. Carbohydrates
          5. Protein
        2. Vitamins
          1. Minerals
            1. Glycemic Index
              1. Acidity
              2. Health Impact
                1. Cardiovascular Health
                2. References
                  Croissant
                  vs
                  Danish pastry

                  Summary

                  Although both croissants and Danish pastries use similar ingredients for the dough, traditional Danish pastries also incorporate eggs into the dough. Croissants provide around 3 times more cholesterol as well as slightly more carbs and calories when compared to Danish pastries. 

                  Generally, croissants contain higher levels of various vitamins than Danish pastries. For instance, they provide 2 times more vitamins B1 and B5 and 5 times more vitamin A. However, the mineral contents in both pastries are quite similar.

                  Table of contents

                  1. Introduction
                    1. What's the Actual Difference?
                      1. Nutrition
                        1. Macronutrients and Calories
                          1. Calories
                          2. Fats
                          3. Cholesterol
                          4. Carbohydrates
                          5. Protein
                        2. Vitamins
                          1. Minerals
                            1. Glycemic Index
                              1. Acidity
                              2. Health Impact
                                1. Cardiovascular Health
                                2. References

                                  Introduction

                                  Croissants and Danish pastries are popular sweets of European origin. In this article, we will be comparing Croissants and Danish pastries while focusing on nutrition.

                                  What's the Actual Difference?

                                  Croissants and Danish pastries are both multilayered laminated pastries, but croissant dough is believed to produce even more layers when baked.

                                  While both croissants and Danish pastries use similar ingredients and recipes to prepare the doughs, traditional Danish pastries also include eggs in the dough.

                                  Different types of these pastries may have various fillings. Croissants and Danish pastries differ in their folding techniques: the former is letter-folded, while the latter is made using a book fold.

                                  Nutrition

                                  The nutritional differences here are depicted for butter croissants and cheese-filled Danish pastries. 

                                  The serving sizes for both are usually one piece. Depending on the size, the weight of the croissant will differ. On average, one medium-sized croissant is about 57 grams, while a large one weighs 67 grams. One Danish pastry weighs about 71 grams. 

                                  However, to keep the comparison between the two pastries simple, we will sometimes refer to 100-gram servings of each in this section. 

                                  Macronutrients and Calories

                                  As can be seen from the macronutrient comparison charts below, Danish pastries and croissants have similar macronutrient compositions. The predominant macronutrients in both are carbs, which make up 46% of the entire macronutrient composition of croissants and 37% of the entire macronutrient composition of Danish pastries. 

                                  Macronutrient Comparison

                                  Macronutrient breakdown side-by-side comparison
                                  8% 21% 46% 23% 2%
                                  Protein: 8.2 g
                                  Fats: 21 g
                                  Carbs: 45.8 g
                                  Water: 23.2 g
                                  Other: 1.8 g
                                  8% 22% 37% 31%
                                  Protein: 8 g
                                  Fats: 21.9 g
                                  Carbs: 37.2 g
                                  Water: 31.4 g
                                  Other: 1.5 g
                                  Contains more CarbsCarbs +23.1%
                                  Contains more OtherOther +20%
                                  Contains more WaterWater +35.3%
                                  ~equal in Protein ~8g
                                  ~equal in Fats ~21.9g

                                  Calories

                                  Both croissants and Danish pastries are high-calorie foods, but croissants provide slightly more calories than Danish pastries.

                                  Per 100-gram serving, croissants provide 406 calories, while the same serving of Danish pastries provides 374 calories.

                                  Fats

                                  Croissants and Danish pastries have similar amounts of fats; however, they differ in the amount of saturated and unsaturated fats they contain. 

                                  Croissants are higher in saturated fats, while Danish pastries provide 2 times more monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.

                                  Fat Type Comparison

                                  Fat type breakdown side-by-side comparison
                                  64% 30% 6%
                                  Saturated fat: Sat. Fat 11.659 g
                                  Monounsaturated fat: Mono. Fat 5.525 g
                                  Polyunsaturated fat: Poly. Fat 1.094 g
                                  33% 55% 12%
                                  Saturated fat: Sat. Fat 6.794 g
                                  Monounsaturated fat: Mono. Fat 11.313 g
                                  Polyunsaturated fat: Poly. Fat 2.575 g
                                  Contains less Sat. FatSaturated fat -41.7%
                                  Contains more Mono. FatMonounsaturated fat +104.8%
                                  Contains more Poly. FatPolyunsaturated fat +135.4%

                                  Cholesterol

                                  Croissant is 3 times richer in cholesterol when compared to Danish pastry.

                                  Per 100-gram serving, Danish pastries provide 23mg of cholesterol, while croissants contain 67mg.

                                  Carbohydrates

                                  Croissants are slightly higher in carbs than Danish pastries. Per 100-gram serving, they contain 45.8g of carbs, while Danish pastries contain 37.2g. 

                                  Croissant is higher in sugar content. It also provides 2 times more fiber than Danish pastry.   

                                  Protein

                                  Croissants and Danish pastries contain some proteins due to the ingredients they are prepared from. Croissant contains 0.2g more protein per 100g; hence, this difference is negligible.

                                  Again, keep in mind that we are referring to butter croissants and cheese-filled Danish pastries; hence, the nutritional values presented above may change if we compare different fillings of these pastries. 

                                  Vitamins

                                  Croissants have higher vitamin content than Danish pastries. 

                                  Croissants are more than 2 times richer in vitamins B1 and B5 and 5 times richer in vitamin A compared to Danish pastries. They also contain higher amounts of folate. 

                                  Danish pastries provide slightly more amounts of vitamin K and vitamin B12. Both croissants and Danish pastries also contain similar amounts of vitamin B2 and vitamin B3.

                                  Vitamin Comparison

                                  Vitamin comparison score is based on the number of vitamins by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" charts below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food.
                                  Vitamin C Vit. C Vitamin A Vit. A Vitamin E Vit. E Vitamin D Vit. D Vitamin B1 Vit. B1 Vitamin B2 Vit. B2 Vitamin B3 Vit. B3 Vitamin B5 Vit. B5 Vitamin B6 Vit. B6 Vitamin B12 Vit. B12 Vitamin K Vit. K Folate Folate Choline Choline 0.67% 69% 17% 0% 97% 56% 41% 52% 13% 20% 4.5% 66% 21%
                                  Vitamin C Vit. C Vitamin A Vit. A Vitamin E Vit. E Vitamin D Vit. D Vitamin B1 Vit. B1 Vitamin B2 Vit. B2 Vitamin B3 Vit. B3 Vitamin B5 Vit. B5 Vitamin B6 Vit. B6 Vitamin B12 Vit. B12 Vitamin K Vit. K Folate Folate Choline Choline 0.33% 12% 7% 0% 48% 60% 38% 18% 9.2% 25% 17% 45% 11%
                                  Contains more Vitamin CVitamin C +100%
                                  Contains more Vitamin AVitamin A +488.6%
                                  Contains more Vitamin EVitamin E +140%
                                  Contains more Vitamin B1Vitamin B1 +104.2%
                                  Contains more Vitamin B5Vitamin B5 +183.2%
                                  Contains more Vitamin B6Vitamin B6 +45%
                                  Contains more FolateFolate +46.7%
                                  Contains more CholineCholine +93%
                                  Contains more Vitamin B12Vitamin B12 +25%
                                  Contains more Vitamin KVitamin K +283.3%
                                  ~equal in Vitamin D ~0µg
                                  ~equal in Vitamin B2 ~0.26mg
                                  ~equal in Vitamin B3 ~2mg

                                  Minerals

                                  The mineral composition of these two pastries is quite similar. The predominant minerals found in both are selenium, iron, phosphorus, sodium, and manganese. 

                                  They both contain similar amounts of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, and manganese. Croissants are slightly higher in iron and potassium, while Danish pastries are slightly higher in sodium and copper.

                                  Mineral Comparison

                                  Mineral comparison score is based on the number of minerals by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" charts below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food.
                                  Magnesium Magnesium Calcium Calcium Potassium Potassium Iron Iron Copper Copper Zinc Zinc Phosphorus Phosphorus Sodium Sodium Manganese Manganese Selenium Selenium 11% 11% 10% 76% 27% 20% 45% 61% 43% 124%
                                  Magnesium Magnesium Calcium Calcium Potassium Potassium Iron Iron Copper Copper Zinc Zinc Phosphorus Phosphorus Sodium Sodium Manganese Manganese Selenium Selenium 11% 11% 8.6% 68% 30% 19% 46% 54% 46% 103%
                                  Contains more PotassiumPotassium +20.4%
                                  Contains more IronIron +12.8%
                                  Contains more SeleniumSelenium +20.1%
                                  Contains more CopperCopper +11.3%
                                  Contains less SodiumSodium -10.7%
                                  ~equal in Magnesium ~15mg
                                  ~equal in Calcium ~35mg
                                  ~equal in Zinc ~0.7mg
                                  ~equal in Phosphorus ~108mg
                                  ~equal in Manganese ~0.351mg

                                  Glycemic Index

                                  Both croissants and Danish pastries are considered to have a medium glycemic index value. However, the glycemic index of croissants (56) is slightly higher than the glycemic index of Danish pastries (50). 

                                  You can check the GI values for the other foods by visiting our glycemic index chart.

                                  Acidity

                                  One way to understand the acidity of foods is through their potential renal acid load (PRAL) value, which shows how much acid or base the given food produces inside the organism. 

                                  Based on our calculations, the PRAL values of croissants and Danish pastries are 4.5 and 5, respectively, meaning both values are acidic.

                                  Health Impact

                                  Cardiovascular Health

                                  Section reviewed by cardiologist Astghik Grigoryan Article author photo Astghik Grigoryan

                                  Croissants and Danish pastries are considered to be processed food products. They can contain trans fats and saturated fats that increase the amounts of LDL cholesterol, causing a higher risk of heart disease and stroke (1, 2, 3). 

                                  Both croissants and Danish pastries are made with refined flour, which has a high glycemic index. Consuming these pastries in large amounts can contribute to insulin resistance, obesity, and cardiovascular disease (CVD). 

                                  It is important to consume them in moderation and occasionally to minimize their impact on CVD risk. Opting for healthier alternatives or homemade versions with less sugar and fat can be beneficial for those concerned about their heart health.

                                  References

                                  1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31336535/
                                  2. https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/eat-smart/fats/trans-fat
                                  3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30084105/
                                  Article author photo Ani Harutyunyan
                                  Education: General Medicine at YSMU
                                  Last updated: July 25, 2024
                                  Medically reviewed by Astghik Baghinyan

                                  Infographic

                                  Croissant vs Danish pastry infographic
                                  Infographic link

                                  All nutrients comparison - raw data values

                                  Nutrient Croissant Danish pastry DV% diff.
                                  Saturated fat 11.659g 6.794g 22%
                                  Vitamin A 206µg 35µg 19%
                                  Vitamin B1 0.388mg 0.19mg 17%
                                  Cholesterol 67mg 23mg 15%
                                  Monounsaturated fat 5.525g 11.313g 14%
                                  Vitamin B5 0.861mg 0.304mg 11%
                                  Polyunsaturated fat 1.094g 2.575g 10%
                                  Folate 88µg 60µg 7%
                                  Selenium 22.7µg 18.9µg 7%
                                  Fiber 2.6g 1g 6%
                                  Vitamin K 1.8µg 6.9µg 4%
                                  Carbs 45.8g 37.2g 3%
                                  Choline 38.8mg 20.1mg 3%
                                  Iron 2.03mg 1.8mg 3%
                                  Vitamin E 0.84mg 0.35mg 3%
                                  Vitamin B12 0.16µg 0.2µg 2%
                                  Calories 406kcal 374kcal 2%
                                  Sodium 467mg 417mg 2%
                                  Potassium 118mg 98mg 1%
                                  Fats 21g 21.9g 1%
                                  Manganese 0.33mg 0.351mg 1%
                                  Copper 0.08mg 0.089mg 1%
                                  Vitamin B2 0.241mg 0.26mg 1%
                                  Vitamin B3 2.188mg 2mg 1%
                                  Vitamin B6 0.058mg 0.04mg 1%
                                  Protein 8.2g 8g 0%
                                  Vitamin C 0.2mg 0.1mg 0%
                                  Net carbs 43.2g 36.2g N/A
                                  Vitamin D 0IU 2IU 0%
                                  Magnesium 16mg 15mg 0%
                                  Calcium 37mg 35mg 0%
                                  Sugar 11.26g 6.95g N/A
                                  Zinc 0.75mg 0.7mg 0%
                                  Phosphorus 105mg 108mg 0%
                                  Tryptophan 0.099mg 0.089mg 0%
                                  Threonine 0.284mg 0.293mg 0%
                                  Isoleucine 0.365mg 0.371mg 0%
                                  Leucine 0.623mg 0.644mg 0%
                                  Lysine 0.329mg 0.43mg 0%
                                  Methionine 0.175mg 0.174mg 0%
                                  Phenylalanine 0.416mg 0.402mg 0%
                                  Valine 0.41mg 0.412mg 0%
                                  Histidine 0.187mg 0.205mg 0%
                                  Omega-3 - EPA 0.003g 0g N/A
                                  Omega-3 - DHA 0.002g 0.001g N/A

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                                  References

                                  All the values for which the sources are not specified explicitly are taken from FDA’s Food Central. The exact link to the food presented on this page can be found below.

                                  1. Croissant - https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/174987/nutrients
                                  2. Danish pastry - https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/172754/nutrients

                                  All the Daily Values are presented for males aged 31-50, for 2000-calorie diets.

                                  Data provided by FoodStruct.com should be considered and used as information only. Please consult your physician before beginning any diet.