KEY POINTS:
Hot cross buns have become the latest target of the fun police.
The seasonal treat now comes with a health warning labelling it as fuel for the ever-growing obesity epidemic.
Diabetes New Zealand has warned that hot cross buns are equivalent to two to three slices of bread. It advised readers of its magazine to chose a smaller bun or just eat half a bun.
This forum debate has now closed. Here is a selection of your views on the topic.
Rob
All I can say is that I am grateful that I do not read this Diabetic NZ magazine. So I will continue to enjoy the seasonal delight of hot cross buns. I wont eat just a half, nor will I consume a "smaller" bun. Indeed I will enjoy them with lashings of real butter too.
Matt
Dear Diabetes New Zealand. I had four hot cross buns for breakfast this morning. They were good too. Love Matt.
Dolly
Yes, quickly, ban Hot Cross Buns! Then make it illegal to have a BMI higher than that deemed healthy by the Weight Police. Naturally it should be a crime to actually die of anything at all, unless you are killed by somebody else in which case it is society's fault. I am sure that when the inspectors come in to our homes to check that we arent wasting electricity, it would be easy for them to inspect our pantries and fridges at the same time. Thank goodness we have all of these well-paid groups to keep an eye on us.
J Rosco
What's next - Christmas and birthday cakes? Tell the PC mob to get their own life, and stop trying to control mine!
Anne Scott
The Joy Stealers! If dieticians truly did badmouth hot cross buns as the article implies, then they need to be more consistent: they need to caution against Christmas cake and Christmas pudding at Christ,as time, they need to ban cheese cake and chocolate cake for birthdays, they need to picket picture theatres with their coke and sweets and they need to protest ice cream at dairies, in fact every food item that we associate with celebration, special family times and outings. They have totally missed the point. It is only when we take the special celebration foods and make them every day sustenance that we start to have problems. I can not believe they are blaming the food instead of the lack of control of the partaker. Like the silly American who took McDonalds to court for serving her hamburgers. Instead we need to teach people about boundary issues and self control issues.
I hold to the philosophy of moderation in all things. I also hold to the tenet of personal responsibility.
Get real you joy stealers!!!
Mary
Definitely not! It is only a once a year event, so what is the problem? Next we will be banning Christmas puddings on Christmas Day, because they contain a certain amount of calories and as such might cause an obesity epidemic! To the thought and food police ... please stop interfering and leave us alone to enjoy our lives!
Kirstie
So Hot Cross Buns are a little heavier in sugar than normal bread. So are Chelsea buns, Sally Lunns/Boston buns, Raspberry buns, custard twists and the like. In fact all of those contain more sugar and fat than a hot cross bun and are usually bigger to boot.Comedown heavy on the sugar and fat laden evils of that pagan invention, the chocolate easter egg, instead and leave the humble hot cross bun alone. It is no worse that a couple of slices of raisin bread.
John Anderson
I have had a gut full of our politicians sticking their oars into our lifes. The idea that any group feels they have the authority to ban Hot Cross Buns is about as absurd as it gets.
Heather
I think we should worry less about fatty buns from a bakery and more about the fatty buns parked on seats all day not doing a whit of exercise.
Leigh Hendry
As with all food-related items, it is all about moderation! Any time of the year can be a temptation with seasonal treats, even eating too much fruit, they now tell us, which is full of sugar. I fail to see why dieticians need to tell us every time how we should be eating - parents should be regulating childrens food intake, and adults should be consuming in moderation at all times of the year. Let us enjoy our hot cross buns in peace along with our Christmas turkey, Easter eggs, birthday cake, summer ice creams, winter roasts, steamed puddings and custard ...
Paul DK
Problem easily solved by laying the bun on its side and cut into three slices. Reduces intake and buns go further and the thinner slices toast easy.
S Olsen
Groan, will the bagging of any food ever stop? Life is too short and everything in moderation...and you know the rest.
Kevin
Consumers have the right to make their own choices of what they eat. Its a good thing that ingredients are itemised to help us make that choice, but if people choose to eat certain foods, that is their right, we dont need to be told what we should or shouldnt eat. People are not stupid, over indulgence of any type of treat food cant be good for us,but let the individual decide for themselves eh?
Andrew
What do you mean "hot cross buns are available almost a month before Easter?" In Wellington they were selling from late-January! Check for yourself with Wellington City New World.
Mary Carmine
It is ridiculous to blame hot cross buns for contributing to the obesity epidemic. Buns and cakes of that nature have been eaten for centuries and it is not long ago we all sat down to afternoon tea of scones and cakes every day at around 4 o'clock. The difference was that we exercised, drank fizzy drink rarely and our main meals were meat and veges not KFC, fish and chips or burgers and fries. Variety and moderation are the key features of any good diet.
Anthony
It is like the anti-smacking bill.Smart people will not overindulge so they dont need a warning. Those who do overindulge will not heed the warning.
