Bread is the perfect choice for an energy-packed meal while also being highly affordable and broadly available.
However, many people believe that consuming bread is not a wise decision as it largely contributes to their body becoming obese over time. So, it’s a common question, is bread healthy? The answer is both yes and no.
Processed bread is some of the worst food items you can ever put into your body. Therefore, it’s best to avoid it if you have the opportunity.
On the other hand, there are a lot of natural bread variations that can help nourish your body without any side effects.
Continue reading to learn more about the topic.
You may also like: Is Squaw Bread Healthy?
Bread Types and their Benefits
There are a lot of benefits to bread, and they vary according to their types. Here are the most noteworthy ones:
01. Conventional White Bread:
Carbohydrates happen to be one of the main elements of white bread. Mass sold loaves of bread are typically made with grains that go through heavily processing, causing them to have carbohydrates the most.
This variation is meant to act as fuel without making you feel full. It helps the dish fulfill its primary purpose of providing energy and strength to the body.
All types of bread usually have a high level of carbohydrates in them. Therefore, having a slice or two during breakfast is what you need to jump into your everyday tasks. But gorging on too much of it can be counterproductive as it will lead to lethargy, and you won’t get any work done.
You may also like: Is Garlic Bread Healthy?
02. Whole Grain Bread:
Whole grain bread is one of the most popular alternatives because of its nutritional superiority. It can be a treasured addition to your diet if you suffer from obesity or just want to lose a lot of weight. Furthermore, it can help you stay away from various health complications and lead an active life.
Unlike commercially produced bread, the ones made of whole grain have a lot of different nutritional elements to them. The most notable ones include vitamin B, which is vital for protection from diseases like anemia.
Furthermore, it’s also crucial for preventing mental illnesses. Magnesium, iron, and dietary fibers are also included in it.
Adults should opt for wholegrain bread than mass-produced ones. It is especially fruitful for safeguarding you from lethal ailments that can occur during old age. Some of the most noteworthy include heart diseases, colon cancer, and high blood pressure. In short, you should opt for it simply to not end up in an early grave.
03. Ezekiel Bread:
Never heard of Ezekiel bread? We don’t blame you. It’s only recently developed and is famous mainly among health enthusiasts and very cautious people about their diet. However, you will do well to switch to it due to all the goodness it can do to your body. Its ingredients and nutritional content make it worth eating.
Compared to regular loaves, the ingredients involved in making the Ezekiel bread are unique. Whereas most variants mainly consisted of wheat, this product is made of millet, soybeans, barley, and lentils. Therefore, eating just a slice of it can give you more health benefits than commercial ones.
Integrating natural and preservative-free ingredients into Ezekiel bread causes it to have significantly lesser anti-nutrients that can harm your body. It also makes it easier to digest, causing you no discomfort after consuming it.
The presence of no sugar makes it perfect for cutting off overconsumption of calories and helping you have a balanced diet.
You may also like: Is Hawaiian Bread Healthy?
04. Rye Bread:
Rye bread should be the first choice for people who want a high-fiber meal. As the name suggests, its main ingredient is rye, a sort of grain that is quite similar to wheat. However, the loaves tend to be denser and darker than the regular ones, causing you to feel the texture with every bite and experience its rich flavor fully.
If you’re someone who feels that rye bread can be a bit too daunting for breakfast, you can always tone it down by adding wheat to the mixture. Don’t try to eat it if you prefer a gluten-free diet as it has some amounts of that. Furthermore, its flavor is relatively different, so you’ll need some getting used to it initially.
Despite the outlandish flavor of rye bread, it is worth eating simply because of how much good it can do to your health. Eating it will help you lower your blood pressure and ensure that you don’t collapse due to stress or overwork. It can be especially beneficial if you suffer from heart complications.
05. Corn Tortillas:
Mexicans love eating corn tortillas, and it is a vital staple in their everyday diet. It’s light and the texture can be changed to pair up with a plethora of different items. Some popular Mexican dishes that involve this sort of bread include nachos and tacos. Furthermore, it’s relatively easier to eat and packs a good nutrition value.
Corn happens to be the main component of this bread variation. Therefore, each slice contains a lot more protein than the traditional loaves while also carrying a healthy amount of calories. Chowing down on one of them is an excellent option if you’re planning to have a light meal, as it’s easy to digest and will not weigh you down.
Unlike most alternatives, the corn tortilla can easily compete with conventional bread due in terms of energy content. People with gluten energy can safely eat it, and it can function as fuel for the day due to its high amounts of fiber.
It’s also extremely vital, as it can be used as an ingredient for various fast-food items like pizzas and burgers.
06. Pizza Crust:
Italy is acknowledged globally by foodies for introducing the world to pizza bread. Its unique shape, which is similar to a pie, and its light body make it perfect for various meals. Furthermore, it is widely customizable, allowing you to enjoy it in many ways. You will rarely find yourself getting bored of it.
Those looking to get into a diet will want to include the pizza crust in your diet. It’s delicious, unlike most low-carb items, and it won’t fill you up—popular items used for making it include egg, cheese, and spices. You can also add cauliflower to gain more health benefits and not guilt about chowing down on this delicacy.
You may also like: Is Carrot Cake Good for You?
Risks of Eating Bread
Maximum risks related to consuming bread come from the ones made of processed flour and contain preservatives. The artificial ingredients make it lose most of its nutritional value while also adding a lot of harmful substances. Furthermore, the addition of artificial sugar also makes them more dangerous.
The most evident and widespread issue that arises from eating bread is obesity. Eat too many of these, and you will feel lethargic eventually, and your body will bloat up over time. Therefore, you must check if you choose to consume them daily.
Suppose obesity itself doesn’t discourage you from eating processed bread. In that case, it’s also worth knowing that too much of it can lead to a plethora of life-threatening diseases.
The most noteworthy one is type 2 diabetes which can drastically ruin your life. This variety has very little fiber, which causes you to overeat too.
Heart diseases are also a significant problem caused by eating processed bread. The long-term damage it can do to your body is staggering. If you don’t remain aware of its fallbacks, it can even contribute to an untimely death. Therefore, it’s vital to eat at an exemplary level.
You may also like: Is Pound Cake Healthy?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How good is bread for your body?
Bread is perfectly capable of daily consumption as it works as an excellent energy source. Therefore, feel free to eat it frequently and kick-start your day with it.
How many slices of bread can I have in a day?
Overeating bread can lead to your body becoming lethargic. It’s best not to eat more than four bread slices daily.
Can you get belly fat from eating bread?
Carbohydrates in bread do not necessarily cause belly fat. You can only get bloated if you have the processed variation daily.
Conclusion
There you have it! All the information that you can know about bread and its variations. So, is bread healthy? It depends on what type of bread you’re eating.
Choose the one that will fit into your diet the best and start eating without any guilt! Your body will thank you for it, and you can start all your days full of energy and vigor!
