bagels

missarielbaby
missarielbaby Posts: 41 Member
in Food and Nutrition
So.. are bagels bad for you? I keep hearing they are but I use to eat that junkie cereal in the morning so at least it's better than what I was eating. I have one every morning almost. I eat those Thomas Blueberry Bagels with a little dap of cream cheese. I know the calories are like 270 (not including the cream cheese), but that's better then eating no breakfast right? It's just a quick thing for me to grab and toast before I leave for work at 5am in the morning. Any thoughts or maybe some quick ideas for breakfast in the morning? I am NO good if I don't eat something in the AM, I don't know how anyone skips breakfast!
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Replies

  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    I eat an Asiago cheese bagel almost every morning for breakfast. I eat higher protein in my other meals to balance my macros.
  • JesterMFP
    JesterMFP Posts: 3,596 Member
    They're not inherently "good" or "bad" for you, it depends how they fit into your overall diet. Of course, if you have allergies or intolerances to wheat or gluten, or need to be low-carb, then they won't be great for you. Otherwise, they're fine in an otherwise balanced diet.

    A lot of people find that adding some more protein to their breakfast helps keep them fuller for longer.
  • Athena53
    Athena53 Posts: 717 Member
    I used to live in NJ where I could buy real bagels- not hard rolls with a hole in the middle, which is what they sell out here in "one of those square states in the middle". To me they're not worth the calories and have little nutritional value, but if they fit into your calories and you like them, they can't hurt.

    My breakfast is usually a piece of whole wheat bread, toasted, or oatmeal made from oat bran flavored with cinnamon. I throw the oat bran (pretty cheap at Whole Foods) into water I've brought to a boil in the microwave, then microwave it again watching very carefully so it doesn't boil over. That thickens it a little more. Add cinnamon.
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  • lynn1982
    lynn1982 Posts: 1,439 Member
    They just tend to be a lot of bread and therefore higher in calories than eating two slices of regular bread. I think that's why people claim they're "bad" for you. Personally, I couldn't live without bagels (REAL bagels, not the gross grocery store kind), but I don't eat them every day either.
  • Feliciagio
    Feliciagio Posts: 4
    My grocery sells a product called alternative bagels. They are 120 calories. You could do an egg white, half ounce of cheese and ounce of boars head ham on one of these bagels for the same calories you are eating now an get lots more protein. When I am in a rush I eat Jimmy Dean Delights breakfast sandwiches at 250 calories, egg beaters with a cheese stick and pop cakes with a laughing cow cheese wedge for under 250 calories, real medleys oatmeal at 270 calories or egg white omelet with half an ounce of cheese and turkey sausage. You could tuck in some raw spinach in any of these breakfast sandwich for an extra nutritional punch with very few calories to sacrafice. Your calories may fit in your diet but I think you could get better nutrition with the calories you are using.
  • zornig
    zornig Posts: 336 Member

    Yup this ^^^^

    I live in NYC where we have the best bagels anywhere. Lately I have been having 3 bagels every Tuesday morning (OP, I'm not recommending you do that). Don't listen to anyone telling you they are bad for you. You can also add some egg whites and bacon and make it a sandwich, yum!!

    Three???? Holy cow! That's like 1500 calories and my total daily goal of carbs. Good for you--I'd totally do it if I could.
  • EDollah
    EDollah Posts: 464 Member
    People from Montreal would disagree that NY has "best bagels anywhere". I stand with mes amis from Quebec on this.

    As to bagels, my 2 cents is, I love them but they're calorically "expensive". I'd rather spend those 300ish calories on a bacon/egg/cheese on English Muffin, but that's my personal taste. If I valued bagels more I'd have them.
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  • MyJourney1960
    MyJourney1960 Posts: 1,133 Member
    They're not inherently "good" or "bad" for you, it depends how they fit into your overall diet. Of course, if you have allergies or intolerances to wheat or gluten, or need to be low-carb, then they won't be great for you. Otherwise, they're fine in an otherwise balanced diet.

    A lot of people find that adding some more protein to their breakfast helps keep them fuller for longer.

    ^^^ this. I won't waste my calories/carbs on a mediocre bagel and i'm trying to cut back in my carbs so i don't have a problem skipping them. but here's nothing wring with it if it fits your diet. just note that a bagel in terms of calories is equivalent to about 4-5 skuces of bread
  • la8ydi
    la8ydi Posts: 294 Member
    I love bagels! Enjoy - in fact, enjoy one for me...I've already eaten breakfast this morning. ;-)
  • ktliu
    ktliu Posts: 334 Member
    People from Montreal would disagree that NY has "best bagels anywhere". I stand with mes amis from Quebec on this.

    As to bagels, my 2 cents is, I love them but they're calorically "expensive". I'd rather spend those 300ish calories on a bacon/egg/cheese on English Muffin, but that's my personal taste. If I valued bagels more I'd have them.
    I love st Viateur bagel best bagel, even compare to the best NYC's bagel shops
  • thisismeraw
    thisismeraw Posts: 1,264 Member
    Nothing wrong with a bagel provided it fits into your calories for the day. Ensure you are properly measuring the cream cheese or other toppings you use.

    I have a bagel now and again. When I want to splurge I get a Jalapeno Asiago bagel with some cream cheese from Tim Hortons. They are amazing but definitely not something I would eat everyday. I used to eat bagels far too often loaded with high calorie fillings so I have cut back on how many of them I eat.

    I love making my own than toasting them and putting a bit of lower cal cheese on it with some lettuce and tomato or some cream cheese.
  • Mslmesq
    Mslmesq Posts: 1,000 Member
    Doesn't it depend on the bagel? Is the point calories or fiber? I think a whole bagel is high cal. White bagel is losw fiber. I rarely eat them, but when I do it's usually pumpernickel with jalapeno salsa cream cheese. Ok, now i need to go look up the nutritional info. :-p
  • angiep098
    angiep098 Posts: 33
    Bagels get a pretty bad rep just cause they so much denser than a regular slice of bread, making them calorie-heavy. If it's a 100% whole wheat bagel, and it fits into your calories/macros then I say go for it! Bagels are one of my absolute favorite foods :D
  • fit4lifeUcan2
    fit4lifeUcan2 Posts: 1,458 Member
    I live in PA. We have a lot of kosher deli s in my area so I get fresh REAL bagels. Not that garbage in a bag they pass off as bagels in the grocery stores. As long as I have the calories for it I'll eat one. I used to eat them a few times a week but my weight loss was extremely slow to nonexistent doing that. Now I have them as a treat. Of course I love to have the everything bagel toasted with cream cheese or lox. But for me if you're going to eat a bagel go all the way or not at all. :happy:
  • Kanuenue
    Kanuenue Posts: 253 Member
    The average bagel can be equivelant to 4 slices of bread. I will buy minis when I am having a craving and I make sure they are whole grain. If I am at the store, I request that they scoop out the middle leaving a thinner shell that I will have toasted and add cream cheese and lox to round out some of those carbs.
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    I have them occasionally, but it's a bit of a pain to fit them in my diary sometimes.
  • rapat
    rapat Posts: 108 Member
    If you're going to eat a bagel daily, switch to a whole wheat bagel. You won't save on calories, but it'll be healthier
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  • moskalykck11
    moskalykck11 Posts: 4
    For sustainability and good healthy meal planning, it is important to find a meal you love - and one that is also good for you. I personally LOVE my bagels and have evolved my breakfast to finding my right mix which includes the following along with light peanut butter, light cheddar cheese and glass of OJ:

    Weight Watchers My Way - 100% Whole Wheat Bagels, 1 bagel (60g) 150 calories, 28 carbs, 1 g fat
  • RubyRunner14
    RubyRunner14 Posts: 148 Member
    Montreal bagels are the bomb! Greatest things around.

    But I have to agree that bagels are calorically expensive and I consider them a waste of calories. The wheat crop has turned into GMO'd trash anyways, it's not even worth the trouble.
  • RebeccaHite
    RebeccaHite Posts: 187 Member
    If I wanted to eat a bagel I would eat it like toast with real butter only half of it and with apple slices
  • randomtai
    randomtai Posts: 9,003 Member
    Yum I love bagels.. I live in NYC and they are well worth it calorie wise. :D
  • melham
    melham Posts: 233 Member
    I crave breads and pastas, so I eat a bagel with cream cheese nearly every morning. It actually keeps me from craving bread or pasta the rest of the day. I just make room for it by adjusting my other meals, just like when I want to drink some wine, which is about 5x/week. And I've lost 10 pounds in two months eating that way. I know there are people who disagree with this, and that's fine. No two people have the same body and react the same to food, but for ME, calories in vs. calories out works, regardless of what the calories consist of. If you start gaining weight or craving foods you didn't crave before, then maybe consider the bagels and cut back on them. Otherwise, if it works for you, eat your bagels!
  • Mrmowgli
    Mrmowgli Posts: 3 Member
    I'm sure you're getting multiple opinions on this so here's mine! After being diagnosed with diabetes, I attended a few diabetic clinics and the news on bagels they gave us was that they are not worth the calories, not from a nutritional point of view nor from a weight loss angle.
    If you want something easy first thing in the morning, throw a pack of instant oatmeal in the microwave, add a a cup of blueberries for antioxidants, a tablespoon of chia seeds for the omega. Don't buy the flavoured oatmeal packs, they pack a sugar and calorie wallop but after you add fruit, it's yummy. The oatmeal is slow release carbs which will keep you going for a while and might take care of that carb fix you're looking for with the bagel.
  • jpuderbaugh
    jpuderbaugh Posts: 318 Member
    I eat an Asiago cheese bagel almost every morning for breakfast. I eat higher protein in my other meals to balance my macros.

    I used to be able to get Asiago Cheese bagels in my town, but suddenly I can't. They were absolutely delicious and I loved them. Miss them!! :sad:
  • lynn1982
    lynn1982 Posts: 1,439 Member
    I just realized the OP wasn't only asking about bagels but also about quick breakfast ideas... if your goal is something fast, why not just replace your bagel with bread? Just as fast and you'll save on the calories (if that's your goal). A smoothie is another option - sometimes, if I know I'm going to be in a rush in the morning, I'll make my smoothie the night before and just pop it in the fridge. As others have mentioned, quick oats are also a good and fast option - throw in some fruit, chia seeds, etc. What about yogurt? There isn't even any cooking time there...just add in some fruit and chia seeds on top of it. There are lots of alternatives to a bagel in the morning if you're looking to cut calories. If you truly enjoy your bagel and cream cheese in the morning, then why not just fit it in to your daily allowance? (I say this as someone who would probably choose a Montreal bagel, deli style cream cheese, lox, capers, and red onions as a last meal...)
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  • melissaw78
    melissaw78 Posts: 214 Member
    You said that you like Thomas bagels...have you tried the Bagel Thins? It's really just a very thin bagel for 110 calories.

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