Breaking down these bread buzzwords
Here’s the meaning behind some of the most common terms you will find in the bread aisle.
Your guide to bread
Wondering which type of bread to add to your shopping list? Carbohydrates, especially bread and pasta, get a bad rap, from causing weight gain to uncontrolled blood sugar levels. And yes, carbs can impact your weight and blood sugar. But it really comes down to the amount and types of carbs that you’re eating.
Shopping for good quality carbs—like bread, cereal, pasta and the like—can be tricky. Figuring out what the different labels or claims mean isn’t always easy. The Nutrition Facts panel can be a lot of info to understand, too.
This guide will help explain the many different types of bread. It will also teach you how to shop for a loaf of nutritious bread and what to look out for.
Wheat vs. Whole wheat
Wheat bread: It can be misleading when bread is coined “wheat bread.” Wheat bread means the bread is made with wheat flour. It does not mean it is made with whole wheat flour, aka a whole grain. In most cases, the bread is made with a refined flour and brown coloring is added. In other words, it’s like white bread nutritionally.
Whole wheat bread: When the packaging says “whole wheat bread,” this means there are whole grains in the loaf.
100% whole wheat or 100% whole grain
100% whole wheat or 100% whole grain means all the grains found in the bread are whole. There are no refined grains.
Multigrain 12 grain, 7 grain, (etc.)
Multigrain terms sound healthy, but they can be a little misleading. Bread can contain 12 grains, but it doesn’t guarantee that any are whole grains.
Sprouted grains
Sprouted grains means the whole grain has sprouted before being made into flour. This is a good thing. Sprouted grains are easier for our bodies to digest. They’re also nutrient-rich.
Gluten-free
Gluten is a protein found in some grains, like wheat and rye. There are also grains that are naturally gluten-free. Some of these grains include rice, buckwheat and quinoa.
Enriched
Enriched means that certain nutrients have been added to the product. This is often the case with refined grains like those found in typical white bread.
Healthy bread shopping tips
Now that you understand some common bread terms, it’s time to go shopping. There are usually a lot of options in the bread aisle. But don’t feel overwhelmed. Here’s what to look for (and what to avoid).
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