When it comes to the best foods to eat for weight loss, bread likely isn’t one of the first things that pops into your mind. In fact, you’ve probably heard time and time again that bread is one of the worst culprits that can lead to weight gain. And while that’s true for highly processed varieties (hi, white bread!), we’re happy to share that it’s not always the case. In fact, there’s one type of tasty, fiber-filled bread that experts say you can actually eat regularly and still lose weight: sprouted bread.
That’s right! You can enjoy healthy toast, sandwiches, and more while still crushing your fitness goals, as long as you opt for sprouted bread. To learn more about why this is the best choice for your body, we spoke to Dr. Amy Lee, board certified doctor in internal medicine, medical nutrition, and obesity medicine and partner of Nucific. Find all of her insight on this healthy option below!
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Sprouted bread
If you want to enjoy some guilt-free toast or just make the healthiest sandwich possible while you navigate your weight loss journey. Dr. Lee says you should look no further than sprouted bread. This type of bread is made with grains that have been allowed to sprout in water before being made into flour, she explains. The result is bread that’s lower in both carbs and calories, making it a great choice for anyone looking to shed a few pounds or just stay healthy overall.
“It is considered to be a low glycemic food and easy for the body to digest,” Dr. Lee goes on. Thanks to the low glycemic index, in addition to high levels of fiber and magnesium, sprouted bread can even help regulate blood sugar, which is always good for weight loss. She also notes that “net carbs can be as low as less than 10 grams of carb per slice, which makes it a more ideal bread to eat with the risk of weight gain.” Nice!
Additionally, sprouted bread often contains nuts and seeds, along with different vitamins and minerals than your typical bread, which, Dr. Lee points out are “all things with great benefits.
The one thing you should be wary of when it comes to sprouts bread, though, is the shelf life. “Because it is ‘sprouted,’ shelf life is short and most people keep it in the freezer to keep it from molding,” Dr. Lee tells us. But with all the great benefits, a shorter shelf life is a small price to pay.
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Health effects of white bread
Sprouted bread is an especially healthy choice when you consider the alternatives. White bread, for example, is made with refined carbs and other processed ingredients, making it a terrible choice for anyone trying to slim down–or for anyone who cares about their overall health, for that matter.
“White bread is packed with flour and sugar with high total carbohydrates to levels of [more than] 20 grams per slice. Oftentimes, it is made with preservatives, wheat, and soy which a lot of people are now ‘intolerant’ to and have side effects to high intake of these ingredients,” Dr. Lee says. Regularly eating white bread can lead to type 2 diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and more.
All in all, switching from highly processed breads to a sprouted variety is a great decision for your health. It will keep you fuller longer by giving you ample amounts of fiber, nourish your body with essential nutrients, and help you reach your weight loss goals.
