Eating Right - What Kind of Breads are Best?

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Eating Right - What Kind of Breads are Best?

Eating Right - What Kind of Breads are Best?

Date : 07-16-2003 - 05:38 PM - Readers : 7221

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What kind of breads?

I don't quite understand what breads are okay to eat. I've read that wheat, rye, pita, and sourdough breads are okay. Now the only grocery store in my little town has a very limited selection of breads and I'm not sure which ones are okay. I'm sure none of them are good since the grocery store caters to people who want to get diabetes and hypertension. Are there any particular brands that are healthy?

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I'd like to know the answer to this question too. I like the hearty breads (bran, oatmeal) but I also like the European breads that the specialty stores sell. I'm not sure they're 'good' for me, but they sure taste good.

Catherine

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High fiber, whole grain

Even though I don't practice it I actually have done a lot of research on nutrition. So healthy bread is bread with a high fiber content made from whole grains. So white bread is out. Check the labels for fiber content and whole grains as the top ingrediants. Now some of us are insulin resistant and even bread can be not so good as a high carb it converts to sugar. But you counteract that with the fiber that helps keep reduce the insulin affect.

Sheri
TAH/BSO;

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You know, Sheri, I was thinking that. there are also those that claim that the yeast isn't good. (and we've been meaning to look up that whole yeast thing some time).

But whole grain and lots of fiber are the best.

Actually pasta made of semolina even though it looks white and soft is less glycemic than most bread, but bread is a vice of mine.

Trish

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I am a registered dietitian and have practiced in the wellness and maternal/child health arena for over 25 years.

Breads that are best are anything that is predominantly whole grain. But you have to read labels, you can't just go by color or even the description on the label. Whole is the key word in the first few ingredients in the list of ingredients. The list of ingredients should have whole wheat, whole oat, whole barley, whole rye, etc. and/or have added germ or bran. Also, look for breads that have at least 3 g of fiber (or more) per slice. Most of these are going to be a denser, heavier, more substantial bread than the fluffy stuff we are used to.

Wheat just means it is made from the grain, wheat. White bread is wheat bread. Even some of the "grainy" looking breads or brown breads are simply white bread with brown sugar or molasses added for color and maybe a sprinkling of seeds added for looks. As an example, "Roman Meal" says whole grain goodness on the label, but if you look at the list of ingredients and the fiber content, it is pretty dismal.

As far as the yeast issue, most people do fine with yeast in their diets. There are some, however, especially women, who have a hard time dealing with yeast. For the vast majority of people, yeast is not an issue. The glycemic index is an issue for a small number of people as well. Most people handle changes in blood sugar just fine. For most healthy individuals, whole grains should comprise the foundation of the diet, making up 50% or more of their calories. In the US, our diet tends to be high in protein and fat and low in grains.

tmg

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I want a nice big slice of some good whole grain bread, maybe with a little lean turkey and some lowfat mayo

Oh well, I can dream can't I???

Remember me, I'm the lactose, fiber, yeast intolerant one.

Kim M

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tmg, THANKS! You told me exactly what i was looking for. I've been eating Roman Meal lately and just knew that wasn't the right thing (remember I live in a town with the worst grocery store). Now I know what to look for. I'm just about to head to a grocery store in another town and will see if they have decent breads. I'll let you know how it goes. You can tell me if I got the right kind of bread.

Lauren

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Lauren, where's your apron?

You could make you own out of all that good stuff. People say kneeding bread is stress reducing. Maybe you can ask for a bread machine for your birthday.

__________________
Sheri

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What about that Ezekiel bread that you can buy at the health food store? You have to keep it in the fridge cuz it doesn't have any preservatives... and I've never tasted it.... but it's supposed to be very good for you. The name of it is Ezekiel something, it's a bible verse "address" where the bible mentions all the grains you should use... I think.

Anyone familiar with it? I know if you just ask for Ezekiel Bread they'll know what you're talking about, and send you to the fridge area for it.

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Ezekial Bread Enthusiast

Ezekiel bread is great, very tasty, is made from freshly sprouted Live grains, and contains no flour. I was introduced to it by a naturopath about 5 years ago, and it is the only bread I will purchase to eat. (Pizza, sandwiches, etc. are ok for occasional meals out, but this bread is a mainstay.) The main ingredients are sprouted wheat, barley, beans, lentils, millet and spelt.......It comes in different varieties- incuding sesame, and cinnamon-raisin and sodium free, neither of which I have tried yet. (Because the wheat is in ground sprouted form, not flour, many people who cannot tolerate gluten can eat it with no problem.)

It's great, toasted, with some flax seed oil, and a poached egg in the morning. It's a real power breakfast. This bread makes it easy to keep pretty high energy and keep the body well functioning- it is a very clean fuel, with lots of natural sources of vitamins retained.

Processed flour, even "organic whole grain", loses a lot of its vitality in processing, making it more of a "dead" food. Breads and pastas can turn into "glue" in the intestines, contributing to stagnation and taxing the immune system...........

Sorry if this info. bums any bread lovers out, but I've noticed such a change in health since leaving behind traditional flour products years ago that I think the information is very important to share. If you're interested, check out this bread- it is delicious, averages about $3.+ a loaf, and is really worth it, for good food. You can keep it in the freezer and take slices out for sandwiches in the AM, etc.

Bon appetit and Happy Healing!

Barbara

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I wish I could go to my grocer and ask him for Ezekiel bread.

I went to a grocery store out of town hoping to find some decent bread. There was nothing! The closest thing I could find to health was "stone ground whole wheat flour" with the rest of the ingredients being some type of sugar.

Do you think if I ordered Ezekiel bread over the Internet it will be fresh enough by the time it arrived?

Sheri, I'll just see if my mom will let me borrow her bread machine that she used for about six months before she got tired of it. Then when I get tired of making bread, I can give it back to her.

Lauren

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Lauren-
No whole foods/natural foods stores around you? Sometimes the larger grocery stores will order "natural foods" if you request them, since they are becoming quite the consumer trend. (In southern Maine, many of our large supermarkets have mini-natural food stores in them) - hope those recipe links from Lisa help, if not.
By the way, it is easy to keep one's weight down on Ezekiel bread- it provides consistent energy for hours after consumption, and since it is a "live" food, it metabolizes well, leaving little to turn to fat, unless a large amount is consumed.
I'm really glad to see it came up in this column- when I saw the "Bread" topic, I immediately wanted to share this info., but didn't know if many were familiar with/open minded about this kind of bread......

glad to add some info for the topic

Barbara

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