While we know that whole wheat bread is much healthier for us than white bread, how do multigrain options measure up?
First things first, the terms “whole wheat” or “whole grain” are very specific. As the Nutrition Diva writes:
Whole grain products contain all the parts of the grain: the germ, which is rich in essential fatty acids and b-vitamins; the endosperm, which is mostly starch; and the bran, which, of course, is high in fiber. In products made with refined grains, on the other hand, most of the germ and bran have been removed, leaving the starchy endosperm, which is the least nutritious part of the grain.
The term “multigrain,” on the other hand, simply means that a variety of different grains were used. And many (if not all) of those grains may be refined - and thus, much less nutritious. To know for sure, simply examine the ingredients on the packaging. Look for the word “whole” before the grains listed to get a better idea of the nutritional value.
Bottom line: If you’re looking to include bread as part of your healthy diet, opt for whole wheat. While multigrain bread may sound appealing, unless it’s made with whole grains, it can have the same nutritional value as white bread.
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Good info. Thanks for spreading the knowledge Davey!
both are good breads-really want to know about wholewheat pita bread-is it the same as wholewheat bread?
I’m confused. What’s the difference between whole wheat and whole grain?
The difference is that “whole grain” products must contain all parts of the grain according to FDA regulation, where as “whole wheat” has no such requirement. Bread labeled as “whole wheat” could be made completely out of white flour, it’s grocer jargon that was coined to confuse customers on this very topic. Don’t be mistaken whole wheat and whole grain do NOT mean the same thing.
Dear all,
Wheat is a grain, just like barley, rice and rye are grains.
Whole grain simply means that the whole grain is used.
Grains are often divided into, like Davey said, bran, endosperm, and the germ.
So, any whole grain bread uses the whole grain, which is healthier. “whole wheat” is “whole grain”. Just think about the words and their actual meaning.
Multi grain just means that the bread is made of more than one kind of grain. Not necessarily whole grains though.
If a bread simply says “wheat,” that means it is made out of wheat, like almost all bread is. It does not, however, indicate that it is made from the whole wheat grain, including the bran, endosperm, and germ.
: )
Hey Davey, so i like toast for breakfast… i try to stay away fro cereal (all the sugar in most of them etc) and im allergic to eggs so they are out fore breaky too… i get about 15-20 min to make an eat breakfast so any other suggestions would be wicked cool too..
i have tried and tried and tried to find whole grain bread…. and all i seam to come up with is whole wheat or white bread with whole grain (real whole grains).. but i haven’t found wheat bread with whole grains…
what would u suggest is the better of the two or as an alternate altogether ?