For years health experts have sounded off about the nutritional pitfalls of eating too much bread. If we keep up with dietary guidelines, that means our culinary life is probably short on paninis, dinner rolls, garlic bread and pizza crust. One of the top problems cited is bread has high carb in its content. Our body breaks down carbohydrates into glucose, which is released into the bloodstream to give us energy. In an ideal world, we burn all this fuel. But if we eat more carbs than we need, the excess is converted to fat. Not surprisingly, high carb diets put us at elevated risk for obesity, heart disease and Type 2 diabetes.
The rub with bread is that one slice (of most kinds) averages 13 to 18 grams of carbohydrates. It might not sound like much, but the recommended daily carb limit for a 1,500 calorie diet is 150 grams. It is not hard to see how overeating in bread can help push us over the mark.
Another drawback is that bread grains also contain antinutrients, plant compounds that prevent our body from absorbing certain minerals like magnesium, calcium and iron.
If life without bread feels a little less radiant, there is no need to keep saying no. Not all bread is created equal when it comes to health. Some types are far better for us than others and can be part of a healthy diet.
One point in favor to eat bread all breads are high in carbs, but not all carbs have the same effect on the body. Whole grain bread is made from flour that contains the entire grain (bran, germ and endosperm). We can recommend too that looking for breads made from sprouted grains. This option helps we avoid most of the nutritional drawbacks of other breads. One of the most popular sprouted grain breads is Ezekiel bread, made via an ancient method that involves soaking organic whole grains (like wheat, lentils, soy and barley) in water and allowing them to sprout before baking. No flour is used. The sprouting process confers numerous health benefits. These breads not only contain more fiber, protein, vitamins and minerals than other breads.
Enjoy, but do not overdo it. If we love bread, there is no need to give it up altogether. Just look for the healthiest options and eat it in moderation. In addition to bread which has high carb in its content, they are relatively rich in calories. Even so, with a little discipline and smart shopping there is no reason we cannot have our bread and eat it too.
LaBread Bakery 