The rise in popularity of whole grains has got most of us to choose something which is more nutritionally dense than something which is better to taste. The fact is, any bread which is made of whole grains has a nutritional edge over other kinds of bread. In recent times, it has almost become a diet fad among people.
The rise in popularity of whole grains has got most of us to choose something which is more nutritionally dense than something which is better to taste. The fact is, any bread which is made of whole grains has a nutritional edge over other kinds of bread. In recent times, it has almost become a diet fad among people.
Let us look at reasons on how brown bread earned the reputation of being a healthier option.
Nutrients
Made from whole wheat, brown bread is more nutritious and a healthy snack option as compared to white bread. Whole wheat grains are rich in fibre and are associated with a number of health benefits. The brown bread also contains greater amounts of essential nutrients such as vitamin B-6 and E, magnesium, folic acid, zinc copper and manganese. On the other hand, white bread is low in fibre but contains more calcium than brown bread. You can opt for a few brands of white bread, like Daily Bread, that come with fortified vitamins and fibre. Read how white bread boosts good bacteria in your gut.
Manufacturing
While manufacturing white bread, the manufacturers remove the bran and wheat germ from wheat flour and then bleach it white with compounds such as potassium bromate, benzoyl peroxide and chlorine dioxide gas. When inhaled, swallowed or absorbed in large doses, these compounds can cause a lot of health problems. On the other hand, the germ and bran of brown bread are not removed while manufacturing, thus keeping the nutrients intact.
Calorie count
White bread contains additive sugars and is thus higher in calories as compared to brown bread. If you are including white bread in your diet, make sure that you do not consume more than two slices in a day, whether it is your sandwich or your pizza.
Glycemic Index
Foods with low glycemic index are healthier because they do not cause any spike in the blood sugar levels. Brown bread is low in glycemic index as compared to white bread, which means that it would not affect your blood sugar levels, which in turn would contribute to better health and lowered risk of diabetes, obesity and other cardiovascular diseases. You may also read how foods with low glycemic index help maintain weight.
Tips to keep in mind
- Not all brown breads are made of 100% whole wheat. To make sure that you buy the most nutritious bread, make sure you read the label and check the ingredients present in it. The first ingredient listed should either be whole wheat or whole meal flour. If the label reads ‘enriched’ it means that the flour used in the bread is the same as the one in white flour.
- The presence of the ingredient caramel in the bread would mean that the same white bread has been coloured to brown.
- Always make sure that the bread contains the fewest ingredients possible to ensure that you are buying the healthiest one.
Originally published on www.healthsite.com
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