100% Whole Wheat Bread

Rheaethan
Rheaethan Posts: 16
in Food and Nutrition
I keep getting mixed signals. I thought whole wheat bread was good but recently I keep hearing that its bad. What's the real deal?
«1

Replies

  • toysbigkid
    toysbigkid Posts: 545 Member
    I know it's better than white but I too have been hearing some bad reports on wheat and I also am not sure of what's good or bad to use, I also hear that more people are allergic to wheat than any other grain
  • temp666777
    temp666777 Posts: 169
    All bread is made of carbohyrate molecules ("sugar").

    Indeed, bread is 50% carbohydrate molecules. So for example if you eat 100 grams of bread, you have eaten 50 grams of pure carbohydrate molecules.

    There is absolutely no difference, whatsoever, between different types of bread. Croissants, baguette, wonder bread, whole wheat organic multivitamin sourdough - whatever.

    There is utterly no difference.

    It's all exactly the same ... bread is 50% carbohydrate.

    If you are trying to lose body fat, the essential thing is to slash your carbohydrate intake. Foods like bread, potatoes, pasta, fruit, rice are basically "all carbohydrates".

    (It goes without saying that candy, soft drinks, etc, are all carbohydrate.)

    Again, regarding the different types of bread, there is no difference whatsoever.

    Carefully weigh ANY bred you eat, and cut the figure in half to learn the carbohydrate grams. So, 40 grams of bread is 20 grams of pure carbohydrate (it makes absolutely no difference what type of bread -- white, brown, whatever).

    Hope it helps!
  • toysbigkid
    toysbigkid Posts: 545 Member
    thanks
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    From a medical standpoint, it is good unless you have problems digesting gluten (a protein found in wheat). Many people on MFP are into "clean eating" which can have a variety of definitions but most clean eaters don't consider bread to be "clean" because the grains are too processed.

    While clean eating sounds good, there really isn't any clinical evidence that it will make you live longer or healthier than eating healthy foods such as 100% whole wheat bread.

    And then there is the Paleo crowd who shuns all grains. And the low-carb crowd who avoid breads because of the carbs.

    So, I'm sure you do get a lot of mixed signals on MFP about it. But if you are eating it, having no digestive problems and losing weight, then there is no reason other then personal preference to stop.
  • Rheaethan
    Rheaethan Posts: 16
    That does help. I am trying to lose 30 pounds but I don't necessarily want to be on a no or low-carb diet. Is it necessary? I am Filipino so I eat rice almost everyday at dinner. I have replaced white rice with brown rice because I hear that its healthier. For most lunches, I get lean cuisines or something similar with pasta and shrimp that does not go over 260 calories.
  • MyaPapaya75
    MyaPapaya75 Posts: 3,143 Member
    i will tell u one thing lol i bought a loaf of wheat bread and gained LMAO ...i havent bought a loaf in a LONG time..and so i got the brght idea to make sandwiches to save money....epic failure!..i do better with pasta and veggies than consuming bread of anytype unless its a tortilla
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    For weight loss the only thing necessary is a calorie deficit. All the rest is personal preference or personal need based on some medical condition or disease.
  • PercivalHackworth
    PercivalHackworth Posts: 1,437 Member
    Whole wheat prevent some vitamins and minerals to be absorbed, so eating them always is not a pertinent choice I'd say :)
  • Sidesteal
    Sidesteal Posts: 5,510 Member
    \ But if you are eating it, having no digestive problems and losing weight, then there is no reason other then personal preference to stop.

    ^ Ultimately this is all that really matters.
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    Whole wheat prevent some vitamins and minerals to be absorbed, so eating them always is not a pertinent choice I'd say :)

    Spinach prevents some nutrients from being absorbed, too. Many foods do. That doesn't make them unhealthy.
  • AnninStPaul
    AnninStPaul Posts: 1,372 Member
    That does help. I am trying to lose 30 pounds but I don't necessarily want to be on a no or low-carb diet. Is it necessary? I am Filipino so I eat rice almost everyday at dinner. I have replaced white rice with brown rice because I hear that its healthier. For most lunches, I get lean cuisines or something similar with pasta and shrimp that does not go over 260 calories.

    Brown rice, like other whole grains, is metabolized more slowly than white rice. As a result, it usually doesn't spike your blood sugar the way that white rice (or white bread) can and may leave you feeling full longer (or at least not feeling like you want to eat something), so you snack less and it's easier to stay on your plan.
  • Barrett18
    Barrett18 Posts: 16
    Whole wheat bread has more fiber in it that white bread. If you like eating bread and are trying to lose weight, then whole wheat is better for you. The fiber in whole wheat bread keeps things moving through your digestive system and doesn't allow for as many of the carbs to be broken down into simple sugars. White bread on the other hand can "plug" a person up because it doesn't have the right fiber in it.
  • JustJennie1
    JustJennie1 Posts: 3,749 Member
    Wheat bread spikes your sugar level worse than white bread does.

    Wheat has changed dramatically in the past fifty years under the influence of agricultural scientists. Wheat strains have been hybridized, crossbred, and introgressed to make the wheat plant resistant to environmental conditions, such as drought, or pathogens, such as fungi. But most of all, genetic changes have been induced to increase yield per acre. Such enormous strides in yield have required drastic changes in genetic code. Such fundamental genetic changes have come at a price.

    http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2011/oct2011_Wheat-The-Unhealthy-Whole-Grain_01.htm?source=search&key=wheat bread
  • PercivalHackworth
    PercivalHackworth Posts: 1,437 Member
    Whole wheat prevent some vitamins and minerals to be absorbed, so eating them always is not a pertinent choice I'd say :)

    Spinach prevents some nutrients from being absorbed, too. Many foods do. That doesn't make them unhealthy.

    I never said that was unhealthy, just not pertinent :wink:
  • AeolianHarp
    AeolianHarp Posts: 463 Member
    Spinach prevents some nutrients from being absorbed, too. Many foods do. That doesn't make them unhealthy.

    And that's the inherent issue by labelling foods healthy and unhealthy. Foods aren't unhealthy and healthy. Only diets.
  • Rheaethan
    Rheaethan Posts: 16
    Thanks for the replies, guys! I don't eat bread much so it doesn't seem like it will be a problem.
  • ahamm002
    ahamm002 Posts: 1,690 Member
    Wheat has more nutrients than white bread, but it doesn't mean it's healthy. When you eat wheat bread, you're getting tons of rapidly digested carbs, which lead to unhealthy spikes in blood sugar and insulin. Fortunately you do get some vitamins and minerals along with the bread b/c it's whole wheat instead of nutritionally void white bread. If you're trying to lose weight, then don't eat lots of bread. You can have some of course if you really like it, but don't fool yourself into thinking it's health food.

    I've found it's a lot easier to stick to my daily caloric goals when I minimize bread/pasta/rice.
  • LASHAY429
    LASHAY429 Posts: 13
    WOW I LEARND SOMETHING NEW TODAY THANKS
  • Urquharte
    Urquharte Posts: 13
    If you're looking for a tasty, low carb bread, I suggest ordering from Julian Bakery. (www.julianbakery.com) They have several options available. It is pricey, but it is tasty! I can usually make a loaf go pretty far because I don't eat it every day. Just a suggestion for anyone on carb restrictions like myself!
  • elfo
    elfo Posts: 353 Member
    Yeah it's better than white- but white bread is one of the WORST foods you could eat, so it's not such a great comparison. I have cut it out completely from my diet- it's been less than 4 months and Ive lost 31 lbs. Any time I would have had bread (ie. sandwich) I just substitute with a salad. ESPECIALLY in restaurants for burgers and stuff I say "no bun please, and instead of the fries can I have a side salad w/out dressing?" I have NEVER been told no. I even got away with this at the fajita place w/the tortillas - they offered me whole wheat and I said if it's ok I'd rather have the salad. Now they know me and I don't even need to ask.
    I don't miss bread at all! (The only carbs I eat come from veggies, and I eat a lot of them)
  • Quasita
    Quasita Posts: 1,530 Member
    Part of the issue with "100% whole wheat breads" is that they still often use high fructose corn syrup as an ingredient. Personally, I eat 100% Whole Grain Double Fiber bread from Orowheat. They don't use corn syrup... Sugar is involved but that's better than the high process and health impact of HFCS. A lot of people assume that because it has certain claims on the label, that it is the same and/or healthy as other choices, but it's really not.

    Case in point: I eat the above bread, and my roommate had been eating "organic" whole wheat bread. One day we got to talking about HFCS and he looked at the ingredients on our respective breads. His "organic" store brand wheat bread had HFCS and other unhealthy ingredients, where as mine has things like wheat, sugar, whey protein/fiber/gluten, salt... Simple, unprocessed ingredients.
    He was appalled.

    Now, I'm not saying my choice isthe #1 best choice, but it definitely doesn't have the same carb load as other options, and doesn't have hidden white flour in it.
  • 2kidzlater
    2kidzlater Posts: 134 Member
    All breads are not created equal. I find the breads from the conventional supermarkets have high fructose corn syrup. And breads from Trader Joes and Whole Foods Market don't. Organic breads are made from ingredients that where not grown and sprayed with harmful pesticides they also have no chemicals, artificial colors or flavors. Also, most natural and all organic are GMO free. So the science may be that all breads are equal, but when you take these other things into consideration what would you rather put in your body?
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    That does help. I am trying to lose 30 pounds but I don't necessarily want to be on a no or low-carb diet. Is it necessary? I am Filipino so I eat rice almost everyday at dinner. I have replaced white rice with brown rice because I hear that its healthier. For most lunches, I get lean cuisines or something similar with pasta and shrimp that does not go over 260 calories.

    Brown rice, like other whole grains, is metabolized more slowly than white rice. As a result, it usually doesn't spike your blood sugar the way that white rice (or white bread) can and may leave you feeling full longer (or at least not feeling like you want to eat something), so you snack less and it's easier to stay on your plan.
    ^^ THIS^^^^^^^
    And it typically has a bit more fiber. AND if it says 100% whole wheat at least it's FOOD. Most commercial bread isn't, imho.
  • Quasita
    Quasita Posts: 1,530 Member
    Whole wheat prevent some vitamins and minerals to be absorbed, so eating them always is not a pertinent choice I'd say :)

    Spinach prevents some nutrients from being absorbed, too. Many foods do. That doesn't make them unhealthy.

    I never said that was unhealthy, just not pertinent :wink:

    Methinks you may not know the actual definition of pertinent. Whole wheat's effect on nutrient absorption is 100% pertinent to this conversation.

    per·ti·nent/ˈpərtn-ənt/Adjective: Relevant or applicable to a particular matter; apposite.
    Synonyms: relevant - apposite - appropriate - suitable - proper

    It may not be the optimal choice for a nutrient dense diet, but it is pertinent aka relevant/applicable/related in discussion...
  • kilbey1
    kilbey1 Posts: 12
    This is sounding too much like a "carbs bad" debate; just EAT FOOD. Yes, breads are high in carbohydrates, but so are lots of vegetables. Whole wheat bread will certainly consist of more complex carbs (as opposed to bread made of refined, white flour). You need complex carbs for energy.

    Go ahead and eat your bread, but invest in a good, REAL bread by reading your labels: avoid things that indicate "enriched" or "refined," breads containing high fructose corn syrup, that has a list longer than your arm, or bizarro sounding ingredients you can't identify. (Having recently been on a shopping trip and perusing bread ingredients, I realize that can be VERY difficult, so consider making it yourself, or try the Ezekiel line of breads).

    Just keep it real, and as with anything, don't overdo your consumption.
  • AeolianHarp
    AeolianHarp Posts: 463 Member
    Wheat has more nutrients than white bread, but it doesn't mean it's healthy. When you eat wheat bread, you're getting tons of rapidly digested carbs, which lead to unhealthy spikes in blood sugar and insulin. Fortunately you do get some vitamins and minerals along with the bread b/c it's whole wheat instead of nutritionally void white bread. If you're trying to lose weight, then don't eat lots of bread. You can have some of course if you really like it, but don't fool yourself into thinking it's health food.

    I've found it's a lot easier to stick to my daily caloric goals when I minimize bread/pasta/rice.

    What? How is it a ton of rapidly digestible carbs? It's made up of polysaccharides, therefore it takes longer to digest than any most other carbs. That fact alone shows why some brands of whole wheat bread and white bread have low GIs AND GLs.

    Also, this is not bread but it makes a point of brown vs white and how brown is better because it's whole wheat and what not:

    Comparison of the nutritional value between brown rice and white rice

    Callegaro Mda D, Tirapegui J. Arq Gastroenterol. 1996 Oct-Dec;33(4):225-31.

    Cereals are considered an important source of nutrients both in human and animal nourishment. In this paper nutritional value of brown rice is compared to that of white rice in relation to nutrients. Results show that despite higher nutrients contents of brown rice compared to white rice, experimental data does not provide evidence that the brown rice diet is better than the diet based on white rice. Possible antinutritional factors present in brown rice have adverse effects on bioavailability of this cereal nutrients.
  • Barrett18
    Barrett18 Posts: 16
    White bread is also processed more. That is why it is white. If you are really worried about it, make your own bread. It's not hard and a great Saturday project. Plus, all the standing and kneading of the dough can be a great little exercise for your arms and legs. This way you know exactly what is in it and how much. Also, it's even cheaper!!
  • ms_tris
    ms_tris Posts: 82 Member
    "The latest health advice tells us to eat more healthy, whole grains. The truth is wheat can bring your blood sugar level up as much as eating a candy bar or drinking a soda. Dr. Davis says people who are eating “more whole grains/wheat” are consuming 400 more calories per day. They are weighing more and spending more money. "

    This is some information from the book "Wheat Belly." I think wheat affects different people in different ways. It doesn't seem to bother me terribly, but some of my family members really have issues with it. I'd experiment. Stay within your calorie range and try a couple of weeks with limited/no bread and a couple of weeks with it in your diet. Let your weight tell you whether you should keep bread in your diet.
  • SlimSammy2012
    SlimSammy2012 Posts: 893
    All bread is made of carbohyrate molecules ("sugar").

    Indeed, bread is 50% carbohydrate molecules. So for example if you eat 100 grams of bread, you have eaten 50 grams of pure carbohydrate molecules.

    There is absolutely no difference, whatsoever, between different types of bread. Croissants, baguette, wonder bread, whole wheat organic multivitamin sourdough - whatever.

    There is utterly no difference.

    It's all exactly the same ... bread is 50% carbohydrate.

    If you are trying to lose body fat, the essential thing is to slash your carbohydrate intake. Foods like bread, potatoes, pasta, fruit, rice are basically "all carbohydrates".

    (It goes without saying that candy, soft drinks, etc, are all carbohydrate.)

    Again, regarding the different types of bread, there is no difference whatsoever.

    Carefully weigh ANY bred you eat, and cut the figure in half to learn the carbohydrate grams. So, 40 grams of bread is 20 grams of pure carbohydrate (it makes absolutely no difference what type of bread -- white, brown, whatever).

    Hope it helps!

    I thought So! Thanks for the Breakedown and information. OK so 100% has a few more Fiber Grams! Big whoop!
  • fvgirlca
    fvgirlca Posts: 10
    White bread is also processed more. That is why it is white. If you are really worried about it, make your own bread. It's not hard and a great Saturday project. Plus, all the standing and kneading of the dough can be a great little exercise for your arms and legs. This way you know exactly what is in it and how much. Also, it's even cheaper!!

    ^^^ This is what I do ^^^ My favourite recipe is: http://www.food.com/recipe/honey-oatmeal-bread-285181 and it is sweetened with honey not sugar or HFCS and it stays moist forever ... I had a loaf in my fridge for about 1 1/2 weeks and it was still great.

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