Bread is a part of our daily diet, so it makes sense that our children will wind up eating it too. Toast is a great addition to breakfast. Bread makes great finger food.
With how many options you have available, you’re bound to wonder which one is best for your baby. Most consider brown bread to be healthier because it has more fiber and other nutrients when compared to white bread.
In this article
Brown Bread Pros Vs. Cons
Brown bread is less processed and produced from a different part of the grain so it is packed with vitamins and nutrients to help you, and your little one, be healthier than ever before.
There are a couple of things to keep in mind when it comes to brown bread, too.
Brown Bread Is Less Processed
Both brown and white bread is made from the same grains. However, brown bread is made from whole wheat flour, hence why it’s usually referred to as whole wheat bread. This flour is not processed to remove the grain’s bran and germ.
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Contains More Nutrients Than White Bread
Because those important parts of the grain are not removed, whole wheat bread contains plenty of vitamins and nutrients.
It is known for being a part of a healthier diet. Brown bread also has more fiber, which can help aid in digestive issues.
Fewer Carbs
Brown bread is also known for having fewer additives than white bread. That means that it has less starch and fewer carbs. Brown bread is so healthy that it can be incorporated into a Keto-friendly diet!
Brown Bread Is Harder Than White Bread
In general, brown bread is known for being harder than white bread. This is because it’s made from whole wheat flour and because it has fewer additives. Part of those additives makes white bread softer.
Brown Bread Is Lower On The Glycemic Index
When food is lower on the glycemic index. When foods are scored on the glycemic index, it can tell you how they will impact your diabetes, in short.
Brown bread is lower on the glycemic index, so you can trust that it won’t make your blood sugar shoot sky-high like white bread will.
White Bread Pros Vs. Cons
White bread used to be the most commonly bought bread. I grew up eating white bread at my mom’s house, and brown bread at my grandma’s house.
I also grew up learning quite a bit about the nutrition behind them both because both swore that they were right. Today, sometimes I buy white bread and other days it’s brown bread. There are benefits and drawbacks to both of them.
White Bread Is Less Likely To Have Artificial Sweeteners
Brown bread is not as sweet as white bread. It’s simply because of the way it is made. This has led to companies including more artificial sweeteners in whole wheat bread.
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You’ll notice this when you consider the different flavors of brown bread that are now available.
Checking the ingredient list on brown bread is a must to make sure that you’re not giving your kids too much sugar or artificial sweetener. The additional sugar can make the bread higher on the glycemic index, too.
It’s More Affordable
A quick scan of the bread aisle at the grocery store can tell you that there are a variety of prices. A closer look will reveal that, in most cases, white bread is cheaper than brown bread.
While this could be due to the fact that more nutritious food always seems to be more expensive, it could also mean that you wind up buying white bread on occasion to trim your grocery bread.
White Bread Doesn’t Last As Long As Brown Bread
In general, bread doesn’t usually last longer than a week. How long a particular loaf of bread lasts depends on how much moisture is in the bread.
The more moisture there is in the bread, the quicker it will grow mold. White bread tends to hold more moisture than brown bread, which means that it will go bad quicker than brown bread.
White Bread Can Contribute To Health Problems
White bread, in general, is a bit more unhealthy than brown bread. The more white bread you eat, the more likely you are to develop diabetes, have heart problems and be obese.
If you do have diabetes, it should be noted that this bread has more carbs, which can make your blood sugar higher than it should be.
Low In Fiber
This is both a good thing and a bad thing. When children are younger, they can have a harder time digesting large amounts of fiber. That means that bread that is low in fiber might be better for them.
However, those of us that are older are well aware that fiber is an important part of a healthy diet. When they process white bread and remove certain things, companies are also removing a large portion of the fiber from the bread.
Which Bread Is Better?
Brown bread is better for both yourself and your children than white bread. It is less processed, packed with fiber and other nutrients and it will last longer.
The primary downside is that it’s not as soft, but that doesn’t take long to get used to. Another great option is to alternate so you and your little ones are eating healthier, and you can still eat white bread if that’s what you enjoy.
Always Read The Ingredients
While brown bread is usually better for you than white bread, there are always exceptions. You’ll want to double-check the list of ingredients, pay special attention to the sugar and salt content.
Some companies put more salt in their bread so that it lasts longer. Other companies add more sugar. This is to both balance out the salt taste or to simply make their bread taste better.
Consider Baking Your Own Bread
Baking your own bread might seem like one more task that you’ll have to do, and, let’s face it, as a parent you’ve already got plenty of them.
However, this is the healthiest option. You’ll always know what is going into your bread, and you can make more whenever you need it instead of running to the store.
