Roll, NS as to major flour
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
A generic white or light wheat roll, this is a soft, pillowy staple with a mild, slightly sweet flavor and a tender, springy crumb. It's a carbohydrate-dense food, providing quick energy with its high starch content and minimal fiber. At 279 kcal per 100g, it's a moderate-calorie base for meals, but its nutritional profile is dominated by simple carbs.
Calorie split: 14% protein · 73% carbs · 13% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People adore its soft, comforting texture and mild taste that acts as a perfect canvas for other flavors, from butter and jam to deli meats. It's a universal, nostalgic staple in lunchboxes, breakfasts, and dinners across countless cultures.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
Its high glycemic index can cause rapid blood-sugar spikes, making it less ideal for diabetics or those managing insulin resistance. As a refined grain, it lacks the fiber and nutrients of whole-grain versions, and it's a common gluten allergen. To counteract blood sugar impact, always pair it with protein (like turkey or cheese) or healthy fat (like avocado or nut butter), and consider a smaller portion.
Key benefits
- Provides quick, accessible energy from carbohydrates
- Low in fat, making it a lighter bread option
- Contains some plant-based protein from wheat flour
- A versatile, neutral base for both sweet and savory fillings
- Low in sodium compared to many processed breads
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The 'NS' in its database name stands for 'Not Specified,' meaning it's a catch-all category for rolls where the primary flour type isn't identified—a testament to the sheer ubiquity and generic nature of this simple bread.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 34.3 g |
| Energy | 279 kcal |
| Protein | 9.8 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 3.9 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 50.1 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 1.8 g |
| Total Sugars | 7.3 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 144 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 3.4 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 23.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 101 mg |
| Potassium, K | 122 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 494 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.73 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.11 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 27.2 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 1.3 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.54 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.30 mg |
| Niacin | 4.2 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.06 mg |
| Folate, total | 94.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 53.0 ug |
| Folate, food | 41.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 131 ug |
| Choline, total | 14.6 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.20 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 0.00 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 6.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.27 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 4.8 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.84 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.52 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.25 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.75 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.02 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.71 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.02 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 1.8 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 1.6 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.18 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Candies, TOOTSIE ROLL, chocolate-flavor roll — USDA does not publish this profile for Roll.
| Tryptophan | 0.19 g |
| Threonine | 0.04 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.06 g |
| Leucine | 0.11 g |
| Lysine | 0.09 g |
| Methionine | 0.01 g |
| Cystine | 0.00 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.05 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.02 g |
| Valine | 0.08 g |
| Arginine | 0.06 g |
| Histidine | 0.03 g |
| Alanine | 0.06 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.20 g |
| Glutamic acid | 0.28 g |
| Glycine | 0.05 g |
| Proline | 0.03 g |
| Serine | 0.08 g |
| Hydroxyproline | 0.00 g |
FAQ
Is this roll the same as a hamburger bun?
Very similar, but not identical. Hamburger buns are specifically shaped and often slightly denser to hold up to a patty. A generic 'roll' can be rounder, softer, and used for any purpose.
How does it differ from a whole wheat roll?
This roll is made from refined white flour, which has the bran and germ removed. This gives it a lighter color and softer texture but significantly less fiber, vitamins, and minerals compared to a whole wheat roll.
Can I freeze these rolls?
Yes, they freeze very well. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or place in a freezer bag. To use, thaw at room temperature for an hour or warm briefly in an oven or toaster to refresh the texture.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 2.79 kcal/g · 14% calories from protein · 1.8 g fiber · 7.3 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 4.05 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.