Diet Talk: Bread, which bread is healthy and which bread is not?

Bread is one of the key parts of the standard South African diet. So many of us include this staple food in our breakfast or even lunch, but how many of us know exactly which bread is good for us and what our body can actually benefit from?. Below we have a list of different kind’s bread you should know about and include or remove from your daily.

Brown Bread

Brown Breads are high in fiber and other nutrients as compared to white bread since the flour is not processed much. The fiber present in brown bread can help reduce the risk of some chronic diseases like constipation etc. It also helps keep the blood sugar at lower levels, thus helping one to manage diabetes better.

White bread

White bread is heavily processed to obtain its color and flavor while removing the most healthy nutrients that the ingredients used to make the bread originally had.

Wheat bread

Not to be confused with whole wheat bread. Wheat bread is made with wheat flour, which is processed white flour. Wheat bread is very similar to white bread with the only difference being that it contains a little more nutrients compared to white bread.

Whole wheat bread

Whole wheat bread is made from wheat seeds that have been left whole and not processed. Whole wheat bread is healthier and is more nutrient-rich with nutrients such as protein, fiber, B vitamins, and antioxidants. Whole wheat bread is the healthier choice when compared to white bread and white bread.

Multigrain Bread

Multigrain bread is bread that was made with multiple different grains all mixed within it. This bread could possibly include refined and processed grains with fewer nutrients.

Whole Grain Bread

Whole grain bread is bread that was made with full grains inside it. This type of bread contains wheat, whole barley, brown rice, and so many other healthy grains. The grains usually found in whole grain bread are all high in fiber and are very nutritious.

Sprouted Grain Bread

Sprouted grain bread is bread that is made from grain that has been exposed to warm and moist conditions. This kind of bread helps increase digestion and increases the absorption rate of nutrients in the body.

Sourdough Bread

Sourdough bread is made through the process of fermentation as opposed to utilizing yeast.

Rye Bread

Rye bread is bread made from rye grain. This type of bread is denser and higher in fiber than wheat bread. Rye bread has been linked to many potential health benefits, including weight loss, reduced inflammation, better blood sugar control, and improved heart and digestive health.