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10 Tips on How to Look for
the Good Bread
by Callie
Armstrong
1. Go for grains. Dont think twice and stick with whole
grain varieties, including whole wheat, multigrain, rye, millet, oat bran, oat,
and cracked wheat. This goes for all types of bread: sliced bread, pita,
bagels, English muffins, crackers, and so on.
2. Be very careful, "wheat" bread sound just as healthy as
"whole wheat" bread but its merely a blend of white and whole wheat flour.
Remember that a product labeled "whole wheat" must be made from 100 percent
whole wheat flour.
3. Choose breads with at least 2 grams of fiber per slice.
4. If youre looking to save
calories, try the
whole wheat, reduced-calorie bread (approximately 40 calories per slice with 2
grams of fiber).
5. Take advantage of the fiber that some cereals pack in,
and choose varieties that have at least 2 grams of fiber per serving. You can
usually (not always) get a sense of whether a cereal has fiber from the name on
the box (Bran Flakes, All- Bran, 100% Bran, Raisin Bran, Fiber-One, Shredded
Wheat, and Corn Bran).
6. Dont be fooled. Some cereals pack in more sugar and
salt, check the Total Carbohydrates against the Sugars (on the nutrition label)
to make sure sugar is not a main ingredient. In fact, opt for the brands that
report 6 grams of sugar or less per serving. If your kids (or spouse) insist on
the sugary brands, mix it with half a bowl of a healthier look-a-like (for
instance, half Frosted Flakes and half Bran Flakes).
7. Check the serving size. Some of the denser, heavier
cereals only allot a miniscule amount for one serving. Take this into
consideration if you plan to eat a normal size bowl (and youre watching your
weight). Remember, double the serving size means
double the calories.
8. Dont forget to throw some hot cereal into your cart.
Whether you opt for the instant or the kind that requires cooking, stick with
unsweetened varieties of oatmeal, grits, cream of rice, and cream of wheat. You
can sweeten them with some of the fresh fruit you bought in the produce
section.
9. Most cereals are
low in fat with the
exception of granola and others that add nuts, seeds, coconut, and oils. Read
the label and choose cereals with no more than 2 grams of fat per serving.
10. Read the list of ingredients on your cereal box and
make sure that wheat, rye, corn, or oats are listed first. Items are listed in
the order of quantity.
About the Author: Callie Armstrong is a writer for
http://www.AllergyHero.com. Her insights on
dieting, exercise and
health can be read at http://www.body4beach.com
More Whole Grain Resources
Help Your Heart: Eat Whole Grain
Foods!
Don't Cheat Yourself: Go Whole Grain
Action List for Whole Grains
The Whole Grain Guide
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