A phrase I often hear from new clients is “I stopped eating bread and carbs.”
Firstly, bread is an amazing source of carbohydrate!
Secondly, cutting out carbs are not quite possible. It will be difficult to eliminate carbohydrates entirely from your diet – carbs are the body’s MAIN SOURCE OF ENERGY! In their absence, your body will use protein and fat for energy. It may also be hard to get enough fibre, which is important for long-term health.
Many people mistakenly think giving up carbs, and specifically bread, is the first step to better health. Not all carbs should be avoided and it’s important to gain knowledge about how to choose more nutrient-dense types.
Brown, white, whole wheat, multigrain, whole grain, sourdough or rye?
Yeast breads, sourdough, leavened breads or flatbreads?
ENDLESS OPTIONS, SO WHAT IS THE BEST BREAD OPTION TO GO FOR?
Two of the most important nutrients to keep in mind are FIBER and PROTEIN, since they help slow digestion and keep you full and satisfied after meals! You should also look at the ingredients list and choose one that has “100% whole wheat” or “100% sprouted wheat (or other grains)” listed first, as this is also a good indicator the bread is going to be more nutrient-dense.
Now many people stress when it comes to reading food labels – a simple ingredients list is always a plus, but I recommend not having too much stress about it as long as you’re avoiding breads that contain added sugar like high-fructose corn syrup or “light” versions, which are typically not as filling and contain more junky, processed additives. At the end of the day, it all comes down to the amount of calories consumed, and I always recommend eating the bread type that YOU like the most and that helps you feel satisfied!
No food should be off limits and everything can fit into a healthy, well-balanced diet. Bread can be a great, healthy carbohydrate choice. Did it fit your macros? If yes, then you’re on the right track. ENJOY!
Much love, Lei x
