Bread Can Be a Healthy Addition to a Meal
By Tom Herrin
At one time, many people seemed to feel that bread was a necessary part of a healthy meal. There was little factual reason for it, but it was a matter of tradition. Many cultures had made some kind of food that could be considered as bread, and they usually made it a part of every meal. Custom sometimes takes a bigger role than fact with lots of those groups.
As we have begun to be more scientific about things such as nutrition, we have taken a closer look at what kinds of things we need to be healthy and how our bodies are affected. Bread likely was a basic part of good nutrition prior to it being made from highly processed flour. That was a game-changer in the worst way. Once it was readily available, some fairly serious consequences to health were discovered. The biggest may have been colon cancer. Today there are some healthy kinds of bread on the market for us to enjoy and benefit from.
Whole Grain Bread
The notion of whole grain is basically good. In many cases, this means leaving some kind of grain in a whole form. It may not always be wheat, but it should have more of its nutrients intact. For diabetics, this is a great choice as many of them have no sugar. They are also pretty low in calories. Reading the labels is a good idea just to be sure that what you are buying is what you want, but they can be a big part of a healthy meal.
Have You Had Brown Rice Bread?
This is one that you don't see very often. If you are into healthy foods, you have probably had brown rice because it is a true whole grain. Especially for those who are attempting to go gluten-free, brown rice bread has some good properties. It maintains a good supply of nutrients and fiber. This is what most people look for in bread for a meal. It is also pretty low in sugar as well as calories. For those who are concerned about gluten, it may be a better choice than some of those that are advertised as gluten-free because many of those are void of an adequate supply of nutrients.
Let's Add Flavor to a Meal
While we often look for some way to make our meals healthy, the real deal is flavor. Having a meal with little or no real flavor can get old fast and cause burnout. I look for healthy breads that have flavor that is more than just bread. I do this by trying some different kinds, but if they have some kinds of whole grains, chances are they have been able to maintain more of their flavor. It can be fun to play with some of this. Drop by the store and read a few of those labels, then make some good choices.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Brentwood, Calif.