French toast is undoubtedly one of the most popular breakfast foods in the Western world. It is usually made by soaking a slice of bread in a mixture of milk and eggs before frying it in a skillet or pan. If you are one of the many people who regularly enjoy French toast in the morning then you probably want to know the nutrition behind this food. What exact nutrients does your body receive with each serving of French toast?
Calories
Two slices of French toast may contain anywhere from 300 to 500 calories. In today's booming weight loss industry, "calories" is a term that you will repeatedly hear and see in many diets, weight loss products and fitness plans. If you plan to lose weight, one of the things you might have to do is cut back on your daily caloric intake. Because of this, calories have gotten a bad rep. In fact, you are probably among the many dieters who have already equated calories with weight gain. Even though it is true that you can gain weight when you consume too many calories, calories are still an important part of your diet if you wish to function efficiently everyday. Calories are turned into energy by your body. This energy serves as your fuel which enables you to exercise, go to work, run errands and attend to your other daily tasks. The trick to avoid weight gain from calories is to make sure that you are only consuming the amount of calories you need in a day. For instance, since French toast for breakfast already provides you with many calories, you might need to make low-calorie food choices for the remainder of the day. You might also want to take up some physical activity that can help you burn off the calories.
Carbohydrates
Since French toast is primarily made of bread, this breakfast item is also a good source of carbohydrates. Like calories, carbs have developed a bad reputation among dieters and weight watchers but remain necessary to provide energy for the body. Aside from boosting your strength, carbs also contain plenty of fiber. If you are suffering from bowel movement problems then fiber can greatly benefit you.
Saturated Fats
If you are watching your weight and health then you should know that French toast contains quite a high amount of saturated fat. This could be attributed to the eggs and milk that are among the ingredients of French toast. Saturated fat is one of the types of fats that you should avoid on a regular basis. Too much consumption of these fats can cause a build-up in your system that may lead to clogged arteries. To lessen the amount of saturated fat on your French toast, try to use non-fat milk instead of whole.
Cholesterol
French toast should also be eaten in moderation since it also contains plenty of cholesterol. When your body has constantly high levels of cholesterol, this can lead to a cholesterol build-up known as plaque. This plaque will then lead to narrow and hardened arteries that can obstruct blood and oxygen flow. This condition can lead to serious illnesses such as a stroke, heart attack, high blood pressure and heart disease.
