Do you eat bread daily? Bread is considered a staple in many households, making it essential in their meals throughout the day. If you consume bread in your meals throughout the day, you may be concerned about its nutritional value.
Even if you only consume it on rare occasions, you may still want to know whether or not it is good for you and your family to consume bread. In this article, we will explore the health benefits of bread.
Is It Healthy to Consume Bread?
Before you head out and fill your pantry with all sorts of bread for its nutritional benefits, you should know that not all bread is made the same.
Certain health benefits can be found only in specific types of bread. For example, a cinnamon roll bread may not have the same nutritional content as a whole wheat sourdough loaf.
You should go for bread products with quality ingredients, and you should always check its nutrition facts to determine how much of it you should consume. Like any type of food and drink, you should consume bread in moderation.
The Health Benefits of Bread
Bread does come with various health benefits, which make them essential to a healthy balanced diet. Some of these include:
High-Fiber Content
Bread has varying amounts of fiber depending on the bread product you are getting. Usually, this constitutes at least 1 gram of fiber per serving, which is essential to daily nutrition. Fiber keeps the digestive system moving and helps with the following:
A lasting feeling of satiation. Eating bread makes your body feel fuller for longer as the body works to break down foods with high fiber content. This helps reduce overeating, and some types of fiber can even help with weight loss.
Regulated blood sugar levels. Foods with high fiber content usually have a low glycemic index (GI) which helps in reducing blood sugar spikes.
Prebiotic Effect
Bread is high in fiber which acts as a prebiotic that helps healthy bacteria or probiotics grow in the gut. Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that naturally exist in the body and protect the digestive system from harmful bacteria and fungi.
A Source of Protein
The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for protein indicates that adults should consume 0.36 times of their body weight in pounds of protein a day in grams. This means that a person who weighs 150 pounds should consume at least 54 grams of protein daily.
Although bread does not contain as much protein as other food, it has little fat, which can help you in meeting your daily protein goals.
Having enough protein daily can help with the following:
Reduce overeating. Consuming protein reduces the production of ghrelin or the hunger hormone in the body. This means you feel fuller while eating less food and can avoid overeating.
Build and maintain muscle. Protein is essential for building muscle mass and maintaining muscle strength. Consuming enough protein helps you lose weight without losing muscle.
Ensure bone health. As we age, we lose bone mass. Consuming enough protein ensures that you maintain your bone mass and reduce the risk of fractures and bone issues.
For vegans and vegetarians who don’t consume meat, it is best to eat bread along with other protein alternatives to help you reach your daily protein recommendation.
Conclusion
Bread is accessible to most people, and you can conveniently purchase them Bread bakery near you. As bread is a daily staple food for many people, it is best to be aware of its nutritional content and health benefits.
Despite its health benefits, not all bread is made the same, so it is best to check its nutritional facts and to consume bread in moderation.
Are you looking for bread and other Norwegian baked goods to add to your daily meal? We at Ana’s Norwegian Bakeri have a wide variety of bread products and baked goods for you to enjoy. Head on to our website to check out our menu and order online!