Why is bread the enemy?

24

Replies

  • brendacs21
    brendacs21 Posts: 180 Member
    Hi there I have reduced my bread consumption due to being told i was a pre-diabetic and insulin resistant . in my case bread was basically what I lived off of daily. I work 12 hour shifts and would just order a large pizza to eat off of all day. I loved and still love bread but although I don't "count carbs" or completely avoid them, I try to eat a balanced diet and not just bread. I have lost 24 lbs in 3 months :smiley:
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    Because for me it's pretty much empty calories because it doesn't fill me up. Still love it though (and I make my own sourdough bread).
  • nvmomketo
    nvmomketo Posts: 12,019 Member
    I know that there are a lot of people who eat low carb, and I understand the various reasons for that, though I don't eat that way myself.

    But I feel like I'm always seeing people avoiding bread specifically without limiting other carbs or food made from processed grains. What's the reason for this? Why do so many people view bread as adversarial to weight loss?

    These people are not on a low carb diet. They are either misinformed or choosing to not actually follow it - lip service only.

    Sort of like how someone who is following a gluten free diet makes a big deal about ordering GF but then adds on a dessert.... As a celiac, that drives me nuts - it makes it harder to be taken seriously in GF needs.

    I think some see bread as adversarial because it stimulates the appetite. For many, it is much easier to overeat breads and refined carbs than it is to overeat salmon, broccoli or apples. Some find it easier to lose weight when those trigger foods are limited or removed from the diet.

    And then there are the long term low carbers who avoid bread, and other refined carbs, because it makes us feel better. It was good for our health.
  • apullum
    apullum Posts: 4,838 Member
    It's not. Bread can fit just fine into your calorie goals, but like any other food, you might choose to eat a smaller portion of it or switch to a different version. It isn't inherently evil.
  • NikiS_8
    NikiS_8 Posts: 6 Member
    Because processed white bread has a lot of calories and little nutritional value. I wouldn't say it is bread that is demonized but white bread. Whole grain breads are a different story.
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    NikiS_8 wrote: »
    Because processed white bread has a lot of calories and little nutritional value. I wouldn't say it is bread that is demonized but white bread. Whole grain breads are a different story.

    there is nothing wrong with eating white bread, this is the kind of woo woo that makes people think bread is "the enemy"
  • JeepHair77
    JeepHair77 Posts: 1,291 Member
    I'm not purposely low-carb, but I guess I am kind of anti-bread or other random extra "carb." It frustrates me that everyone in my family believes there should be some random white carb (bread, chips, tortillas) on the table at every meal in addition to an otherwise full and balanced meal - just because. It encourages mindless nibbling, and I've had to make a really conscious effort to avoid those extras because they add up fast and add nothing to my dining experience, really. I don't go so far as to order a burger without the bun or anything, but if the bread isn't a reasonably necessary component of the meal, I avoid it and I secretly wish it weren't there in the first place.

    Like others have said, it tends to be high in calories and it's usually just kind of not worth it, to me. It doesn't keep me full and it isn't satisfying in and of itself. I don't think bread is EVERYONE'S enemy, but it's one of my enemies, I suppose.
  • tcunbeliever
    tcunbeliever Posts: 8,219 Member
    Bread is bad because it gives me migraines...except gluten free bread like Udi's which is delicious and which I enjoy on enough of a regular basis to keep the loaf from molding after I've bought it.

    Beyond any health issues specific to the individual person (like celiacs or diabetes or whatever) there isn't any need to avoid bread. Especially if you like it, whiskey tango foxtrot is the point of being healthy if you can't enjoy your good health anyway? And awesome food is totally one of life's great joys!!!
  • dfwesq
    dfwesq Posts: 592 Member
    What is the healthiest bread you can buy at Walmart or similar grocery store?
    A pretty good one is Ezekiel Bread. It's usually sold in the refrigerated or freezer section. It's made from sprouted grains, has got a lot of fiber, and is very satisfying.
  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    NikiS_8 wrote: »
    Because processed white bread has a lot of calories and little nutritional value. I wouldn't say it is bread that is demonized but white bread. Whole grain breads are a different story.

    A standard slice of white bread has about 80 calories. Whatever protein or fat I top it with is probably going to have more calories than the bread itself. It has carbohydrate and a little bit of protein and fat. It also has some calcium and iron, even a bit of magnesium.

    A standard slice of whole wheat bread has about ten fewer calories, 1 gram more of fiber and 1 gram more of protein. The calcium, iron, and magnesium are less.

    I realize some of this is due to fortification, but fortified foods meet our nutritional needs. I don't really see enough of a different to claim that white bread has little nutritional value but that whole grain breads are a "different story."
  • rheddmobile
    rheddmobile Posts: 6,840 Member
    What is the healthiest bread you can buy at Walmart or similar grocery store?

    What would a "healthy" bread be for you? Are you looking for the lowest calorie? Fiber count? Higher protein? Certain micronutrients?

    I guess I'm just looking for a kind that benefits a super healthy diet. I am trying to lose about 10 pounds, but am more concerned with putting good calories in and getting the crap out. So I guess something high in fiber and/or protein but low in carbs.

    For ordinary sandwiches I like Sara Lee 100% whole wheat - like all bread, it's pretty much carbs and empty calories, but it's only 130 calories and 20g net carbs per two slices. I'm a diabetic and eaten with other non-carb food two slices of this bread has a modest effect on my blood sugar.
  • enterdanger
    enterdanger Posts: 2,447 Member
    I feel like I'm too fat here to respond, since I'm struggling with my eating since having the baby 5 months ago...if he would just start sleeping through the night I'd have more energy and eat less. Anyway, I LOVE bread. I think it might be my spirit animal.

    That said, I learned a couple of years ago that I have a bunch of pretty mild food allergies and wheat is one of them. When I cut back to only eating my delicious homemade bread and only at 1 meal a bunch of my tummy troubles and swelling issues went away.

    I would cut someone who tried to take bread away from me all together.
  • singingflutelady
    singingflutelady Posts: 8,736 Member
    NikiS_8 wrote: »
    Because processed white bread has a lot of calories and little nutritional value. I wouldn't say it is bread that is demonized but white bread. Whole grain breads are a different story.

    All bread is processed btw. The only bread I eat is sourdough bread but I guess itsthe devil because it's white.
  • jgnatca
    jgnatca Posts: 14,464 Member
    I read a local pioneer story who wrote about the disappointing "black" flour she got from the only operating mill in town. I get the sense that winter fare was pretty stark way back in the days before food security; even for the relatively well-off.

    Then came the great waves of immigrants out west who created a whole new western North America bread basket.
    This became the picture of health:

    bdc05855f3bbeb0316f1e538fab4d11d.jpg

    gerber23n-4-web.jpg

    Now soft, white, fluffy, sanitary, individually wrapped bread is sniffed at for being "unhealthy".
  • J72FIT
    J72FIT Posts: 6,002 Member
    What is the healthiest bread you can buy at Walmart or similar grocery store?

    What would a "healthy" bread be for you? Are you looking for the lowest calorie? Fiber count? Higher protein? Certain micronutrients?

    I guess I'm just looking for a kind that benefits a super healthy diet. I am trying to lose about 10 pounds, but am more concerned with putting good calories in and getting the crap out. So I guess something high in fiber and/or protein but low in carbs.

    For ordinary sandwiches I like Sara Lee 100% whole wheat - like all bread, it's pretty much carbs and empty calories, but it's only 130 calories and 20g net carbs per two slices. I'm a diabetic and eaten with other non-carb food two slices of this bread has a modest effect on my blood sugar.

    What?!?!?!?!
  • ShrinkingViolet1982
    ShrinkingViolet1982 Posts: 919 Member
    I find carbs in general tend to make me want to eat more and leave me hungry shortly thereafter. I don't completely avoid them, but have minimized their role in my diet compared to protein and many more veggies/fruit than I ever ate before.
  • PhylinAZ
    PhylinAZ Posts: 15 Member
    I'm a 1200 calories a day diet. I eat two slices a day. I eat whole wheat or rye. As toast or as part of a sammie. Bread is not the enemy unless you're gluten intolerant or too tempted to eat the whole loaf.
  • rheddmobile
    rheddmobile Posts: 6,840 Member
    J72FIT wrote: »
    What is the healthiest bread you can buy at Walmart or similar grocery store?

    What would a "healthy" bread be for you? Are you looking for the lowest calorie? Fiber count? Higher protein? Certain micronutrients?

    I guess I'm just looking for a kind that benefits a super healthy diet. I am trying to lose about 10 pounds, but am more concerned with putting good calories in and getting the crap out. So I guess something high in fiber and/or protein but low in carbs.

    For ordinary sandwiches I like Sara Lee 100% whole wheat - like all bread, it's pretty much carbs and empty calories, but it's only 130 calories and 20g net carbs per two slices. I'm a diabetic and eaten with other non-carb food two slices of this bread has a modest effect on my blood sugar.

    What?!?!?!?!

    Were you thinking that bread was a great source of nutrients? It's really not. It's not the devil, but neither is it nutrient-dense. It's not even a good source of the nutrients which usually come from grains. On a 1200 calorie a day diet, that's relevant - two slices of low calorie bread form one tenth of everything you get to eat in a day.
  • stevencloser
    stevencloser Posts: 8,911 Member
    J72FIT wrote: »
    What is the healthiest bread you can buy at Walmart or similar grocery store?

    What would a "healthy" bread be for you? Are you looking for the lowest calorie? Fiber count? Higher protein? Certain micronutrients?

    I guess I'm just looking for a kind that benefits a super healthy diet. I am trying to lose about 10 pounds, but am more concerned with putting good calories in and getting the crap out. So I guess something high in fiber and/or protein but low in carbs.

    For ordinary sandwiches I like Sara Lee 100% whole wheat - like all bread, it's pretty much carbs and empty calories, but it's only 130 calories and 20g net carbs per two slices. I'm a diabetic and eaten with other non-carb food two slices of this bread has a modest effect on my blood sugar.

    What?!?!?!?!

    Were you thinking that bread was a great source of nutrients? It's really not. It's not the devil, but neither is it nutrient-dense. It's not even a good source of the nutrients which usually come from grains. On a 1200 calorie a day diet, that's relevant - two slices of low calorie bread form one tenth of everything you get to eat in a day.

    http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/baked-products/4872/2

    It's actually got surprisingly good amounts of some minerals.
  • AnvilHead
    AnvilHead Posts: 18,343 Member
    J72FIT wrote: »
    What is the healthiest bread you can buy at Walmart or similar grocery store?

    What would a "healthy" bread be for you? Are you looking for the lowest calorie? Fiber count? Higher protein? Certain micronutrients?

    I guess I'm just looking for a kind that benefits a super healthy diet. I am trying to lose about 10 pounds, but am more concerned with putting good calories in and getting the crap out. So I guess something high in fiber and/or protein but low in carbs.

    For ordinary sandwiches I like Sara Lee 100% whole wheat - like all bread, it's pretty much carbs and empty calories, but it's only 130 calories and 20g net carbs per two slices. I'm a diabetic and eaten with other non-carb food two slices of this bread has a modest effect on my blood sugar.

    What?!?!?!?!

    Were you thinking that bread was a great source of nutrients? It's really not. It's not the devil, but neither is it nutrient-dense. It's not even a good source of the nutrients which usually come from grains. On a 1200 calorie a day diet, that's relevant - two slices of low calorie bread form one tenth of everything you get to eat in a day.

    2 slices of thin-sliced Dave's Killer Bread, 21 whole grains:

    120 cal
    2g fat
    24g carbs, 6g fiber
    6g protein

    130mg potassium
    8% RDA of iron.

    Of course there are more nutrient-dense foods, but all in all it's not bad. I'm not on a 1200 calorie diet (closer to double that), so it's roughly one twentieth of everything I get to eat in a day. And a lot of people on MFP are on 1200 calorie diets who shouldn't be on 1200 calorie diets.
  • J72FIT
    J72FIT Posts: 6,002 Member
    J72FIT wrote: »
    What is the healthiest bread you can buy at Walmart or similar grocery store?

    What would a "healthy" bread be for you? Are you looking for the lowest calorie? Fiber count? Higher protein? Certain micronutrients?

    I guess I'm just looking for a kind that benefits a super healthy diet. I am trying to lose about 10 pounds, but am more concerned with putting good calories in and getting the crap out. So I guess something high in fiber and/or protein but low in carbs.

    For ordinary sandwiches I like Sara Lee 100% whole wheat - like all bread, it's pretty much carbs and empty calories, but it's only 130 calories and 20g net carbs per two slices. I'm a diabetic and eaten with other non-carb food two slices of this bread has a modest effect on my blood sugar.

    What?!?!?!?!

    Were you thinking that bread was a great source of nutrients? It's really not. It's not the devil, but neither is it nutrient-dense. It's not even a good source of the nutrients which usually come from grains. On a 1200 calorie a day diet, that's relevant - two slices of low calorie bread form one tenth of everything you get to eat in a day.

    You called bread "empty calories"...
  • bbell1985
    bbell1985 Posts: 4,571 Member
    I'd rather have my calories spent on other things that help create more volume, more protein. I also much prefer homemade bread. I'll indulge once in awhile at very nice restaurants.
  • JeromeBarry1
    JeromeBarry1 Posts: 10,179 Member
    What is the healthiest bread you can buy at Walmart or similar grocery store?

    What would a "healthy" bread be for you? Are you looking for the lowest calorie? Fiber count? Higher protein? Certain micronutrients?

    I guess I'm just looking for a kind that benefits a super healthy diet. I am trying to lose about 10 pounds, but am more concerned with putting good calories in and getting the crap out. So I guess something high in fiber and/or protein but low in carbs.

    Dave's Killer Bread, at my local Wal-Mart, is somewhat high in fiber and protein, with small thin pieces to keep the carb counts low. Even better, Ole Xtreme tortillas, at my local Wal-Mart, performs as tortillas while providing protein, fiber, omega-3, and very low carbs. There are other things on the bread aisle at my local Wal-Mart which also try to meet your criteria of lowish calorie, highish fiber, and higher protein.

    I've taken to making my own bread. I use half high protein King Arthur bread flour, half King Arthur whole wheat flour (for fiber) , and add an ounce each of chia (for more protein and fiber) and flax seeds (for omega-3). I get all those ingredients from Wal-Mart. I use an Oster bread maker, but I got that from a relative and I don't know where she got it from.
  • lynn_glenmont
    lynn_glenmont Posts: 10,093 Member
    Bread insulted my great-grandfather. There's been war between the families ever since.
  • JeromeBarry1
    JeromeBarry1 Posts: 10,179 Member
    jgnatca wrote: »

    @jgnatca Thank you for sharing this! It was a delight to read this. I love reading about how hard work and perseverance and detail noodling becomes great prosperity.
This discussion has been closed.