Quinn on Nutrition: Are cinnamon buns good for athletes? (2024)

A reader writes: “I have a question about eating cinnamon buns on a regular basis. My cycling group likes to ride 40 to 70 miles at least twice a week. They also like to eat cinnamon buns and have gone so far as to rank the best buns. I wonder, considering the high fat and sugar content of these sweets, is it a good idea from a health standpoint to eat one every time ones goes riding? I know the calories are probably burned off but I wonder about the fat and sugar ingestion and the impact on cardiovascular health as well as health in general. I guess what I am getting at, does massive exercise off-set bad dietary choices? Thanks. Tricia

Great question, Tricia,

I assume that you and your riding buddies are in good health. Sports experts say a balanced diet that includes a variety of foods is the key to peak athletic performance. Let’s see if cinnamon buns fit into that equation.

Hard-working athletes like yourself need more energy (calories in food) than, me, for example. And cinnamon buns certainly provide ample amounts of your two main sources of fuel—carbohydrates and fat.

Carbohydrates (sugars and starches in foods such as fruit, grains and cinnamon buns) provide more energy per unit of oxygen you breath than fat. When you are sucking for air on long rides, it’s beneficial to use the energy source that requires the least amount of oxygen per calorie, yes? One popular cinnamon bun contains 880 calories and 127 grams of carbohydrates, way more than most of us need at one time. Yet if you are cycling for 2 to 3 hours, you may be burning up 90 grams of carbs (360 calories) each hour. That may be one justification.

Well-trained athletes can also use calories from fat to fuel long rides, especially when your reserves of carbohydrates are depleted. One cinnamon bun contains 37 grams of fat, almost half of that from saturated fat. That’s a lot. Nutrition experts advise us to limit our daily dose of saturated fat to less than 10 percent of our daily calorie expenditure since this type of fat has been linked to inflammation—a condition closely tied to heart disease and diabetes. A cinnamon bun might fit on your fuel-burning cycling days if you don’t load up on other high fat foods such as burgers and milkshakes on the same day. Excess fat may also slow down your athletic performance, say sports experts.

Does massive exercise offset bad dietary choices? Yes and no. Nutrition experts look at your total diet, not one food, to evaluate your nutritional status. If you routinely eat a diet rich in high quality, lean protein foods, fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and limit the greasy refined foods most of the time, an occasional high fat sweet treat won’t throw you too far off the track.

Thanks for writing.

Barbara Quinn is a registered dietitian nutritionist affiliated with the Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula. She is the author of Quinn-Essential Nutrition: The Uncomplicated Science of Eating. Email her at barbara@quinnessentialnutrition.com.

Quinn on Nutrition: Are cinnamon buns good for athletes? (2024)

FAQs

Quinn on Nutrition: Are cinnamon buns good for athletes? ›

And cinnamon buns certainly provide ample amounts of your two main sources of fuel—carbohydrates and fat. Carbohydrates (sugars and starches in foods such as fruit, grains and cinnamon buns) provide more energy per unit of oxygen you breath than fat.

Why is cinnamon good for athletes? ›

“Cinnamon is one of many natural foods that contain phytonutrients that help improve blood vessel dilation.” This is important to runners, because blood flow is important for peak muscle and cardiovascular performance, however more research is needed to confirm the effect in humans.

Can I eat a cinnamon roll on a diet? ›

Potentially. But it most likely won't leave you looking or feeling good. There are people who play professional sports and burn up to 8,000 calories a day. They can eat as many cinnamon rolls as they want and still be lean and trim.

Why do people like cinnamon buns? ›

Ultimately, the things we love about the classic cinnamon roll are present in your average cinnamon bun. We're obsessed with that flaky, buttery outer pastry, that sweet and spicy filling, and a decadent dollop of shiny icing.

Is Cinnabon good for diet? ›

A classic Cinnabon cinnamon roll has approximately 880 calories. It has 37g of fat, which is 57% of daily values, and has 58g of sugars. It's not that good for you, you'd have to walk 230 minutes to burn it off according to CalorieKing.

Are cinnamon rolls good for athletes? ›

A cinnamon bun might fit on your fuel-burning cycling days if you don't load up on other high fat foods such as burgers and milkshakes on the same day. Excess fat may also slow down your athletic performance, say sports experts. Does massive exercise offset bad dietary choices? Yes and no.

When not to eat cinnamon? ›

Given the lack of evidence about its safety, children, pregnant women, and women who are breastfeeding should avoid cinnamon as a treatment. Lower blood sugar. It may affect your blood sugar, so if you have diabetes and take cinnamon supplements, you might need to adjust your treatment.

What is the cinnamon trick for weight loss? ›

It adds a delightful flavor while potentially helping to regulate blood sugar and control cravings. Mix a teaspoon of Cinnamon with warm water, ginger juice and honey. Consuming this mixture before meals may help manage appetite and support weight loss efforts.

What is the most unhealthy Cinnabon? ›

Worst: Caramel Pecanbon

The Caramel Pecanbon, while a delicious treat from Cinnabon, is considered an unhealthy choice due to its high calorie, sugar, and fat content. A single serving packs a hefty caloric punch, often exceeding the daily recommended sugar intake in just one pastry.

Do cinnamon rolls have a lot of carbs? ›

Cinnamon Roll (1 small) contains 21.2g total carbs, 20.4g net carbs, 6.4g fat, 1.9g protein, and 149 calories.

Is it OK to eat cinnamon buns for breakfast? ›

Most things in moderation are great. If you wanted to eat a cinnamon bun every day, you could maybe research ways to make healthier, whole grain buns in smaller servings. But for a once in a while treat, I think it's a totally fine and normal breakfast.

What's the difference between cinnamon rolls and cinnamon buns? ›

Yes: the difference lies in how they're formed. While buns are braided and rolled to create a more traditionally bun-like result, cinnamon rolls are, as the name suggests, rolled to form a spiral that contains all the oozy butter and brown sugar filling.

Should I refrigerate cinnamon buns? ›

Do you need to refrigerate cinnamon rolls? Unfrosted cinnamon rolls do not need to be refrigerated and will keep best at room temperature. Iced cinnamon rolls, and especially rolls with cream cheese frosting, should be stored in the fridge.

Which type of cinnamon is healthiest? ›

All types of cinnamon contain a compound known as coumarin, which is known to be harmful in large amounts. Ceylon cinnamon has much less coumarin than cassia cinnamon. If you are concerned about coumarin, Ceylon cinnamon is a safer option for your spice rack.

Why are cinnamon rolls so addictive? ›

In fact, in one study, researchers included cinnamon rolls in the same category with other sweets that might be craved. Eating sugar activates the same brain chemicals that create addictions to other substances, such as alcohol. As a result, you can become addicted to sweets.

What are the benefits of eating cinnamon? ›

In addition to being an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, anticancer, lipid-lowering, and cardiovascular-disease-lowering compound, cinnamon has also been reported to have activities against neurological disorders, such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases.

The Benefits And Limitations Of Eating ...bittersweetindy.comhttps://bittersweetindy.com ›

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Is cinnamon good for gaining muscle? ›

Conclusion. While not as glamourous as the most-hyped supplements on the market, cinnamon is an understated but valuable weapon for a bodybuilder, or anyone for that matter, who is seeking to improve their body composition.

What does cinnamon do to testosterone? ›

As the use of cinnamon leads to the elevation of testosterone secretion, it could enhance its fertility properties (18, 19).

Does cinnamon increase stamina? ›

Both cinnamon and ginseng powder have been shown to have potential benefits for increasing stamina and endurance, but the specific effects may vary depending on individual factors and the form of consumption. How could I increase stamina?

What does cinnamon help fight? ›

There are plenty of reasons to add warming cinnamon to your diet. It's high in antioxidants, which may help protect against disease, inflammation and ageing. What's more, it may improve gut health, dental hygiene, reduce cholesterol levels and lower blood pressure.

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