Whenever we are trying to lose weight or trying to lose stomach fat we assume that this means no bread or carbohydrates. And this is because the big trend in the weight loss world over the past decade or so has been diets which eliminate carbohydrates completely.
Some of these weight loss diets, such as Atkins, advocate eating huge amounts of protein and fat but no carbohydrates, and promise dramatic weight loss results. Many people however find these sorts of restrictive diets very hard to stick to, and want a more balanced way to lose weight. One of the foods which people miss the most when cutting out carbs is bread. If following a low-fat, calorie controlled diet, is it still possible to eat bread and lose weight?
The basics
In basic terms, anyone will lose weight if they are taking in less energy through their food than they are spending every day. Foods which are very low in calories include fruit and vegetables, and foods which are higher in calories include the carbs like bread, pasta and potatoes. The key to losing weight and sticking to a diet is eating a wide range of foods from all of the different food groups. People trying to shift a few kilos don’t need to cut out bread completely, but it is important to understand that some breads are more appropriate for dieters than others.
Glycaemic Index (GI)
GI is much talked about in diet and weight loss circles and is a measurement of how quickly a food raises blood sugar levels. Foods with a low GI index will keep you feeling fuller for longer, whereas foods which are starchy or high in sugar will rapidly raise blood sugar and make you feel hungry again more quickly. Not all breads score equally on the GI scale so as well as looking at the calorie content of the bread, the blood sugar issue should be examined as well.
White bread
White bread is the most popular sort of bread found in our supermarkets and bakeries and although it’s widely available, it’s not the best choice for someone trying to lose weight. White bread is made from flour which is highly refined and processed, and the end product does not score well on the GI scale. It is relatively low in fibre and nutrients, and will raise blood sugar levels quite rapidly when eaten. Therefore, it is not the best choice for people trying to lose a few kilos.
Wholemeal Bread
Unlike white bread, wholemeal bread is made from a more unrefined flour. It is higher in fibre and has more vitamins and minerals in it than white bread. There is evidence that switching to wholemeal bread from white bread can help reduce the risk of heart disease, certain types of cancer such as bowel cancer and strokes. Wholemeal bread is also much lower on the GI index than white bread, meaning eating wholemeal will leave you feeling fuller for longer and less likely to raid the cake tin half way through the morning. For people who don’t like the taste of wholemeal bread, some of the white breads on the market with added fibre can be a good alternative.
Wholegrain bread
Wholegrain loaves are even less refined than wholemeal, and therefore even higher in fibre and lower on the GI index. Wholegrain bread also tends to be lower in calories than white or wholemeal bread, but packaging should be checked for full nutritional information. Wholegrain is the healthy choice even for those not trying to lose some weight but making the switch from other types of bread should make losing weight easier.
Turkish bread
Turkish bread products are also made from refined flour and are although they do not differ hugely in terms of calories from other white breads, they are less good than the wholegrain breads at keeping you feeling fuller. Some of the flat Turkish breads are often served with calorific fillings and sauces, which obviously hinders weight loss.
Flat breads
Flat breads come in many different varieties and the same rules apply when choosing which bread is most appropriate for those trying to lose weight. Wholemeal or wholegrain breads are a far better choice than white flat breads or those made with other refined flour products.
Sourdough bread
Recent studies have shown that sourdough breads are among the best sorts of breads for people who are trying to lose weight. They outperformed even the wholemeal and wholegrain breads, and subjects in the tests felt fuller and ate less than people eating other types of bread. This is thought to be down to the action of the yeast and the fact the dough is fermented over several days.
Soy Linseed Bread
Many dieters are put off soy or linseed bread as they are relatively high in fat compared with white bread. However, the fats are healthy oils and the fact that the breads are high in fibre and take a longer time to digest make them another ideal choice.
To see more info on pasta, grains and other carbs click here
