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For many, eating bread is a daily occurrence.
Signs That Your Bread Choice Could Be Healthier
1.
Theres no sign of whole grains.
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Some breads that aren’t as healthy will just have wheat flour listed as the first ingredient.
This robust nutrition is linked with major health benefits.
Body Mass Index (BMI) was developed as a way to categorize people by weight.
However, it is a biased and unreliable metric for making sense of your body weight or health.
In2023 the American Medical Association issued new guidelines around using BMI,including alternatives for screening and interventions.
Theres little to no fiber (less than 2 grams).
Ideally you want to see three to five grams of fiber per serving of bread, Davis says.
It also benefits metabolic health by slowing digestion and steadying theblood sugar response.
Theres a high amount of added sugar.
Seeing loads of added sugar on the ingredients list should also give you pause.
While no added sugar is ideal, it can be tricky to find in the bread aisle.
Its made with a variety of other refined flours (besides wheat).
Wheat flour isnt the only grain flour that can be refined and used in bread baking.
Oftentimes, we dont realize that starches and maltodextrin are actually refined flour products.
Another less-known red flag to be aware of if searching for a healthier loaf.
It has a long ingredient list of additives.
The sodium content is high.
OK, when it comes to sodium, what counts as too high?
Ideally, the best breads for you should have no more than 160 milligrams of sodium per slice.
Sodium is a mineral that can really add up without our realizing it.
Sodium, aka salt, is greatit seasons the bread and gives it irresistible flavor.
It’s important to knowcommon, sneaky sources of sodiumand choose lower-sodium options instead.
There’s little to no protein.
Did you know a hearty whole grain bread also offers a decent boost of protein?
When unrefined, grains are solid sources ofplant-based protein.
Some nutritious options includeDave’s Killer Bread, Ezekial bread, and an excellent gluten-free option isBase Culture."
