Is bread good or bad for you?
Bread, bread, is it really good to reach out for it?
Bread is one of the most popular breakfast foods, it's also widely eaten as a snack or for tea time and also just because it's bread!
But it has also developed a vilified reputation as bad for health and after gluten free eating has taken off in recent times, it has become more demonized. Besides when people start aiming for the waif-thin look which is so in vogue, bread is usually the first casualty on a low carb diet.
But is bread really so bad that it is worth shunning? After all, bread is one of the oldest foods out there from the dawn of human history and people have been surviving on it for ages - so can it be all that bad?
Let's break it down in this article.
Most people reach out for fluffy white bread or a croissant, fresh from the bakery which tastes like a dream but is so unhealthy. White bread is so super processed that it bears scarce resemblance to its origin, the humble wheat grain. Factory made white bread is loaded with chemicals and preservatives and has poor nutritional value.
Purchase instead bread labeled 100 percent whole wheat and check the list of ingredients on the packaging. Research whether those ingredients are healthy to consume and create a favorite brand so that it's fuss free to shop for bread in the future. Better still, try out a new bread recipe at home.
Tips to eat healthy
1) Avoid white bread which is made from refined white flour and has the healthy nutrients in the bran and germ stripped off it. Eating white bread will spike up your blood sugar levels and is not good for diabetes.
2) Avoid heavy pastries like pain au chocolat or sweet fruit danishes which masquerade as bread but are nothing but sweet treats.
3) Say no to the bread basket during your meals. Bread is an unnecessary filler and you can better savour your main course of vegetables and meat.
4) Incorporate more whole grain into your diet.
5) Too much of yeast in bread is not good for your gut and can lead to inflammation. Try to eat more unleavened breads. This is also a good opportunity to check out other world culture cuisines and try out different varieties of bread like Piadina bread from Italy, Lefse from Turkey, Phulka from India, Lavash from Armenia etc.
6) Pair your bread with some protein like a scrambled egg or some healthy fat like avocado for a filling snack that won't spike up your blood sugar levels. Do take a look at my article on a healthy avocado toast diet plan.
Carbohydrates are essential to get energy for your daily life and activities. Just make sure not to overeat or binge on them and remember calories in vs calories out. Moderation is the key here- so don't go overboard on the bread basket!
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