Deciding to switch some of the food in my diet to their healthier counterparts may seem difficult. In some cases it is! However, I am choosing to live a healthier life without sacrificing food or flavor. This week my switch of choice is bread!
I have rarely bought white bread, although my recent trip to a local bakery for fresh Italian bread may become a more regular occurrence in the future. For as long as I can remember I have bought whole wheat bread from various grocery stores and brands. I rarely found a brand that I did not enjoy, though I preferred whole wheat bread with oats on the top crust. The extra texture is quite pleasing. You may be thinking, why would you choose to switch a seemingly healthy type of bread that you enjoy? The answer is simple, because I am choosing a healthier life!
The Switch to Multi-grain bread
True whole wheat bread is made with ground whole wheat flour that does not include any enriched white flour of any kind. Some whole wheat bread brands are labeled as being “whole wheat” but are falsely labeled. This is also true of several other types of bread labels including “organic” and “preservative-free”. It is up to the consumer to read the ingredients list to make sure they are getting the real deal.
White bread is made with highly processed flour and additives which contribute to obesity and diabetes. Thus making the bread far less healthy. Whole wheat bread is a healthier choice compared to white bread as it is made with whole wheat flour and thus provides a good source of fiber and carbohydrates. But, still, the healthiest bread is multigrain.
Multigrain bread contains several types of grain that are meant to improve the nutritious value of the bread. Primarily the fiber content of the bread which is appealing when trying to lose weight or increase fiber intake. Most multigrain breads include 12 or more grain types which frequently include flax, oats, barley, millet, wheat, whole wheat flour and will likely also include quinoa, flaxseed, chia seeds, and maybe even pumpkin or sunflower seeds.
I chose to switch my whole wheat bread with oats on the crust for Arnold brand Whole Grain Healthy Multi-Grain bread. This brand is wonderful as they use quality ingredients, do not include artificial preservatives, colors or flavors, and it is an excellent source of fiber. It is important to choose based on the ingredients list. The first five ingredients listed are the most important as they are listed by quantity in the product. In the multigrain bread I chose, the top five ingredients are as follows:
- Whole wheat flour
- Water
- Wheat gluten
- Sugar
- Bulgur Wheat
The ingredients list goes on to include the various seeds and yeast that were also included in the making of the bread.
I was truly hesitant when I first made the switch to the multigrain bread. I had tried other brands in the past and they were the equivalent of chewing on cardboard. So, one morning I made my eggs as I do most mornings, sunny side up. I made my toast using the multigrain bread and butter. Still feeling hesitant, I finished making my breakfast and sat down to eat. With the first bite of this new bread, I found the flavor did not resemble cardboard at all. I felt my previous hesitation slipping away with each bite. By the end of my breakfast, I was beyond full! I stayed full for several hours.
I have since found myself quite fond of multigrain bread, especially this brand. I plan to stick with it and feel as though this was a simple switch for me. Now, if I had been a strict white bread eater then maybe the switch would have been more difficult. Multigrain bread is the far healthier option over white bread, though. So, if you can, you should make the switch, too!
