Early version. Nutrient values from USDA FoodData Central; dietitian review in progress. Not medical advice.

How healthy is croissant?

Is croissant healthy? It can fit a healthy diet occasionally. Croissant scores 12/100 on the HowHealthyIs Score: 100 g provides 406 kcal, 206 µg vitamin A and 8.2 g protein. A butter croissant is made of refined flour and butter, so it is high in saturated fat and low in fiber. Source: USDA FoodData Central.

  • Source of vitamin A
  • High in saturated fat
  • Contains added sugar
Score explained

The score compares nutrient density per 100 kcal across every food we cover (NRF9.3 method). Croissant ranks higher than 12% of them.

Counts in favor (% daily value per 100 kcal)

  • Vitamin A6%
  • Protein4%
  • Iron3%
  • Fiber2%
  • Vitamin E1%
  • Magnesium1%
  • Calcium1%
  • Potassium1%
  • Vitamin C0%

Counts against

  • Saturated fat14%
  • Added sugars3%
  • Sodium4%

Raw NRF9.3: 18 minus 21 = -3. The score is not a verdict on whether to eat a food; portion, the whole meal and your own health matter more. Full methodology

How many calories are in croissant?

Calories231kcal
Protein4.7g
Carbohydrates26g
Fat12g
Fiber1.5g
Sugars6.4g
Nutrition facts for croissant. Per 100 g and for the selected portion (57 g). %DV uses FDA Daily Values.
NutrientPer 100 gPer portion%DV
Energy and macronutrients
Calories406 kcal231 kcal
Protein8.2 g4.7 g9%
Carbohydrates46 g26 g9%
Fiber2.6 g1.5 g5%
Sugars11 g6.4 g
Added sugars6 g3.4 g7%
Fat21 g12 g15%
Saturated fat12 g6.6 g33%
Vitamins
Vitamin A206 µg117 µg13%
Vitamin C0.2 mg0.1 mg0%
Vitamin E0.8 mg0.5 mg3%
Minerals
Calcium37 mg21 mg2%
Iron2 mg1.2 mg6%
Potassium118 mg67 mg1%
Magnesium16 mg9.1 mg2%
Sodium384 mg219 mg10%

Source: USDA FoodData Central, "Croissants, butter" (FDC 174987). Values rounded.

Why is croissant good for you?

  • 117 µg vitamin A in 1 medium croissant, 13% of the daily value. Vitamin A contributes to the maintenance of normal vision.

Good ways to use it

  • An occasional breakfast
  • Pairing with fruit and yogurt

What should you watch out for?

  • Filled croissants add more sugar or fat.

What can you eat instead of croissant?

Foods you can use the same way with a higher HowHealthyIs Score.

How does croissant compare?

Common questions about croissant

How many calories are in croissant?
100 g of croissant has 406 kcal. A typical portion, 1 medium croissant (57 g), has about 231 kcal.
How much protein is in croissant?
Croissant has 8.2 g of protein per 100 g, or about 4.7 g in 1 medium croissant.
Is croissant good for weight loss?
Croissant is fairly calorie-dense (406 kcal per 100 g), so portion size matters more than the food itself. 1 medium croissant is about 231 kcal.

Sources

  1. U.S. Department of Agriculture. FoodData Central, SR Legacy: "Croissants, butter", FDC ID 174987. fdc.nal.usda.gov
  2. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Daily Value on the Nutrition and Supplement Facts Labels (21 CFR 101.9).
  3. Fulgoni VL, Keast DR, Drewnowski A. Development and validation of the Nutrient-Rich Foods Index. J Nutr. 2009;139(8):1549-1554.
  4. Monteiro CA, et al. Ultra-processed foods: what they are and how to identify them. Public Health Nutr. 2019;22(5):936-941.

Review and updates

Last updated
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Pending. A registered dietitian signs off every food page before launch. Our reviewers

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