Bread contains carbohydrates, and it becomes a dietary staple for many athletes, as it provides a convenient way to consume the necessary energy to boost fitness endurance.
Whether it is a peanut butter toast or a clubhouse sandwich, it is versatile and tasty. However, not all breads are created equal. White bread that you normally find on supermarket shelves has minimal nutritional value. It is usually made from refined flour.
White bread also contains high levels of simple carbohydrates. Whole-grain versions, however, contain complex carbohydrates.
Switching white bread for a more healthful version is a quick and easy way to improve the diet. Here are 5 types of bread that are excellent for your health.
Whole Wheat Bread
Whole wheat bread is a healthy classic. It is made from flour that contains the entire wheat kernel including the bran and germ. It typically has a higher nutritional value as the bran and germ have richer concentrations of vitamins and minerals. Wheat is packed with the most nutrients, such as fiber, B vitamins, iron, folate, potassium, and magnesium. Whole wheat bread is loaded with complex carbohydrates. It is also high in plant-based protein.
Sourdough Bread
Sourdough is a yeasted bread made from a starter — a fermented mixture of flour and water that makes many batches of bread. A slice of sourdough stacks up very nicely against conventional white bread in terms of protein, vitamin, and mineral content, as well as the presence of prebiotics. Not only it is highly nutritious but also easier to digest.
Sprouted Bread
Sprouted bread is not only tasty but full of essential nutrients. Sprouted bread is made using whole grain that has begun to sprout, or germinate. It is nutritionally similar to whole grain flour bread and superior to bread made with white flour. It is higher in several nutrients, including protein, fiber, vitamin C, folate, and beta-carotene. In addition, sprouting decreases antinutrients, making the nutrients in the grains more readily available to your body.
Spelt Bread
Spelt flour has similar nutritional values to common wheat. It is slightly higher in protein, but also slightly lower in insoluble fiber. Spelt bread is made from spelt flour rather than wheat flour. High in wholegrain fibre, it has health benefits such as aiding digestion. Spelt contains important vitamins and minerals. Its strong nutritional profile provides many potential health benefits, like reducing blood sugar, improving the digestive system, lowering blood cholesterol levels, aiding in weight management, and more.
Rye Bread
Rye bread is lower in fat and contains less gluten than wheat, which makes it a denser, heavier loaf. Rye bread contains the flour of rye grains, which is a grain similar to wheat. It can be light or dark in color, depending on the manufacturing process. Rye bread is incredibly high in fibre, with twice as much as most standard wheat-based breads. It is also an excellent source of magnesium and iron. It can be a better choice than wheat bread for persons with diabetes.
