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The Nutrition of White Bread

Fitday Editor
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For years, white bread was the common choice for families around the world. However, as more and more research has been done on the nutrition of white bread, questions have begun to be raised regarding its carbohydrate, calorie and fat content. Be sure to completely understand the nutritional content of this food before deciding whether or not it is right for your and your family.

Carbohydrate Content of White Bread

One of the most important nutritional issues when it comes to white bread is the carbohydrate content. Like most types of other bread, white bread is composed almost entirely from carbohydrates. On the one hand, carbohydrates are essential for good health, because they provide much of the energy needed to make it through the day. However, the type of carbohydrate often plays a large part in determining the nutritional quality of the food. Carbohydrates are classified as being either complex carbohydrates, which are slow digesting and can help prevent a number of serious health conditions, or simple carbohydrates, which can actually lead to the increase in these same conditions. White bread is composed primarily from simple carbohydrates. Simple carbohydrates have been found to be linked to increases in obesity and diabetes, and can even lead to the development of cardiovascular disease. Simple carbohydrates are also commonly found in baked goods and other highly processed foods, and are often suggested to be eaten only in moderation.

Calorie Content of White Bread

It's important to understand the calorie content of white bread. Most foods that are high in carbohydrates have unfortunately gotten a reputation as being high in calories. This could not be further from the truth. Per gram, foods rich in carbohydrates contain only four calories, as opposed to the nine calories contained in one gram of fat. Therefore, foods rich in carbohydrates are actually much less calorically dense when compared to those rich in fat.

Fat Content of White Bread

White bread is composed almost entirely from carbohydrates. However, it does contain a significant amount of fat due to the inclusion of eggs, butter and oil. When selecting white bread for you or your family, look for varieties that state that they are low in fat. In addition, try making the white bread yourself. While this may seem like a daunting task, it actually can be quite easy to make--and making the bread yourself is the only way to ensure that your food is delicious and nutritious. If you do make your own bread, try substituting olive or canola oil for the butter or vegetable oil in your recipe. Olive and canola oils can actually be used in the prevention of cardiovascular disease, stroke and Alzheimer's disease.

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