Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread

Bread is sometimes referred to as the “staff of life”. There are very few diets worldwide that do not include bread in some way or another, and it is certainly a major part of the Western diet. Taking that into account, it is certainly worth thinking about the part that bread plays in your diet, especially if you are looking to lose weight.

 For many of us, it is an automatic choice to reach for a white loaf when in the bread aisle at the supermarket. It is low maintenance and no-one seems to actively dislike it. However, it is definitely not as good for you as most of the other options there. White bread is made with very refined flour, and loses the wholegrains which aid digestion and provide nutrition.

 A good wholemeal granary bread is perfect for sandwiches. Most people truly believe, with some justification, that wholemeal bread actually tastes better than white bread, and the latter is little more than a casing for more interesting foods. The popularity of wholemeal bread for toast is also quite telling – it has greater texture than white bread.

 Of course, it is not all about sliced loaves. A baguette is a good healthy option and has a lot more texture thanks to its crusty outside. Other options, such as naan or pitta bread may be more well known for their use in international cuisine, but they can be a pleasant and convenient alternative for sandwiches, too. Look for them when you're shopping.

---