Some bread is healthier than others.
Although many diets forbid the consumption of breads in an attempt to help you lose weight, you can, in fact, maintain a healthy diet while regularly consuming bread products. Your body needs carbohydrates for energy and to keep the body systems functioning, and bread is one of the most common types of carbohydrate. Eating healthy with bread is not only easy, but possible. Once you know what to look for and how and when to eat it, you can incorporate bread into your healthy diet.
Instructions
1. Know what to avoid. When shopping for bread, avoid all white breads. Don't buy bread that contains high fructose corn syrups, artificial colorings or ingredients, preservatives, and enriched white or wheat flours. Enriched does not always guarantee that the bread is of a healthy variety.
2. Know what to look for. Breads made with sprouted grains, 100 percent whole grain or whole wheat flour and as little amount of sodium and added sugar as possible are the best options. As a general rule, choose breads that contain the most natural products and have the fewest number of ingredients listed on their labels.
3. Watch your servings. It is easy to over-consume bread, whether you are sitting in a restaurant with a bread basket in front of you or you're planning your own meal. Follow the serving suggestions listed on the bread label to be sure you don't over-consume bread, which will lead to an excess consumption of calories and carbohydrates.
4. Time your bread consumption carefully. The best time to eat carbohydrates is when your body will best be able utilize them, such as in the morning, in the early to mid afternoon and immediately following a workout. In order to allow your body to best utilize the nutrients and macro-nutrients found in bread, plan to eat bread during these times.
5. Make your own bread. If you're still confused about buy the best bread and you have the time, try making your own. (See Resources for recipes.) This will ensure that you know exactly what is going into the bread so there will be no need to guess over whether or not the ingredients are wholesome and healthy.
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