How to choose the best healthy bread
The wall of bread in your grocery store can be daunting. There seem to be more and more healthy ones to choose from – you’ll see labels like “multigrain,” “made with whole wheat,” “grains and seeds” and more.
To help decipher the labels to make a healthy choice, look for whole grains listed first on the ingredient list. A whole grain has all three parts it was grown with – the bran, the germ and the endosperm – and is more nutritious than a refined grain, which doesn’t include the two outer layers. Whole grains are high in fiber, which generally makes you feel fuller.
More good news: Whole grains are linked to a lower risk of heart disease, diabetes, certain cancers and other health problems.
However, labels can be confusing. For instance, breads labelled “multigrain” or “12 grain” can contain a mix of grains, and even white flour. Breads labelled “100 per cent whole grain” or “100 per cent whole wheat” won’t have other flours, like white, mixed in.
Fewer than half of the breads that Consumer Reports looked at that were labeled multigrain, oat, or made with whole grain actually contained only whole grains.
In addition to a high proportion of whole grains, Consumer Reports experts say the best healthy breads have minimal additives, two or three grams of fibre per slice, less than 150 milligrams of sodium, and two grams of added sugars or less.
Nuts and seeds are an added bonus in bread. They add flavor, crunch, healthy fats and fibre.
Here are some breads that Consumer Reports raised a toast to:
365 Whole Foods Market Organic Ancient Grains will upgrade your sandwich. It has 16 grams of whole grains in a slice, and is low in added sugars and sodium.
A slice of Dave’s Killer Bread Organic Powerseed has more than a serving of whole grains, with 19 grams. Spread it with peanut butter for a protein-packed snack.
For anyone wondering whether homemade bread is healthier, the answer is that it certainly can be. Consumer Reports points out that with homemade you can avoid extra sugars and additives and look for a recipe created specifically for whole-grain flour.
Files from Consumer Reports
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Regina police officer injured after being accidentally shot by fellow officer's gun
An investigation is underway after a Regina police officer was accidentally shot by a fellow officer’s gun during the search of a house early Friday morning.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.