5 Crucial Facts You Need to Know About Bread
As much as bread is a staple in many diets all over the world, it’s an easy way to gain weight when you’re stressed or tired. With the wrong kind of bread, you increase the risk of all kinds of conditions, such as weight gain and dental caries. But the good news is you can still enjoy it and other baked goods when you make better choices. To get you started, here are a few crucial facts you need to know about bread:
Marketing makes it difficult
The actual impact that “hi-fiber” or “multi-grain” flour has on dietary fiber, nutrition, and salt levels is minimal. You should especially be wary if the bread says “multi-grain” on the label. The reason for this is that terms such as “hi-fiber” or “multi-grain” can mean all kinds of things for both manufacturers and consumers alike.
All grains are the same
Health food stores might sell different breads made from different varieties of wheat, but keep in mind that that milled flour is the same no matter what grain you use. Instead, having different seeds and grains such as chia, flax, and rye in the flour might add more nutritional value, but can make the bread denser and more expensive as a result.
There are different types of flour
There are three different types of flour you need to keep in mind: whole wheat flour, which is the most nutritious since it contains almost everything in the grain or seed that has the nutrient content; dark flour, which contains fewer dietary fibers; and finally, white flour, which is the least nutritious of the three.
Gluten-free doesn’t do anything unless you’re allergic to it
When kneaded with a small amount of water, wheat flour contains a protein that adds greatly to the texture of the bread. This protein is known as gluten. However, keep in mind that while some people, particularly those suffering from celiac disease, definitely benefit from gluten-free bread, there’s a good chance it will do little for you since this condition is really rare. This means that gluten-free foods aren’t necessarily healthier options, and they usually cost more than typical bread.
Bread can still be healthy
There’s no need to worry about not being able to enjoy delectable bread when you make the right choices. To start, be sure to read the label carefully to know the bread’s sugar, salt, and fiber content. If it’s possible, choose bread that’s whole-grain. Whole-grain foods that contain all the essential nutrients can give you a lot of health benefits, and they also make for a great way to help you lose weight. Healthy spreads are also a great way to add more flavor to your bread without necessarily adding the extra calories.