To Bread Or Not To Bread

To Bread Or Not To Bread

To Bread Or Not To Bread : We love thee breads – and the cookies that are made from them are sweet and delightful.

We were taught from boyhood that bread was good for our bones –  and good for our muscles. Gymnastics competitions were so much a part of our childhood, being a young athlete was fun!

Now, bread is healthy – and the nutrition it provides is great for our bodies. But…

Two recent studies – one in the U.K. and one in the U.S. haveichever Bread is the worse for us.

The Harvard Nurses’ Health Study tracked nearly 110,000 people over a 14 year period. This study found that those who ate one to three servings of whole grain bread (containing 3 grams of fiber) daily had a 20% lower chance of having a stroke than those who ate few servings.

The study also claimed that people who ate whole grain bread (plus plenty of veggies) were 40% less likely to have a heart attack, and also, the more whole grain breads they ate, the lower the chance of having type 2 diabetes.

The study was published in the Journal of Nutrition.

A different study done by the same group, but without the exercise, showed that greater consumption of whole grain products, rather than white bread, reduced the risk of type 2 diabetes 21%.

The whole grain breads that the students were eating were from whole grain bakeries – so, they were fresh, not frozen or processed.

You can imagine the difference in these two studies. With the exercise, we are actually comparing ‘baby’ bread, to adult bread. The baby bread can have as little as 3 grams of fiber – but also may contain high fructose corn syrup, which isn’t good for our bodies. The adult bread can contain up to 21 grams of fiber – but also has wheat flour, which is Common Carcinogen ( adjustments to be safe though!).

The whole grain bread study actually suggests that eating a whole grain “whole meal” can help you lose weight. But, what is the specific type of ‘whole grain’ that these studies are referring to? Well, let’s take a look at a few of the natural, popular choices.

Oat groats – this is one of the most popular varieties around, and for good reason. Oat groats are a great source of protein, fiber, minerals, and antioxidants.

Barley – this is one of my personal favorites. Barley is rich in antioxidants, and has a great taste. Often, its added to breads and muffins. Don’t leave it too long on your shopping shelf!

Oats are a great choice for diabetics. The whole grains will make sure that you stay active, and keep your blood sugar levels stable. This prevents the extreme hunger that can lead to poor food choices, and late night binging.

And for all you interested in colon health, oatmeal also gives a healthy boost. Being high in fiber, this gives you a good start for any diet or endeavor!

Your family will definitely benefit from these natural whole grains. And, with all of their benefits, they are truly a ‘blessing in disguise’.

…And that is why this article is enjoying its 2 year anniversary!

Every day I think about where I can find more ‘free’ time to write more articles. Please keep visiting my website and say Hello!