It's no secret that 100 percent whole grains are good for you. Whole grains, which contain both the bran and germ, help fight many health problems including heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.
But are you sure the whole wheat or multigrain breads in your kitchen cabinet are made from 100 percent whole grains? According to Good Housekeeping, many healthy-looking breads with wholesome names are actually little more than white bread — they're mainly made with white flour with some bran or whole grain added.
How to separate the "wheat from the chaff?" Here are some tips:
• Whole wheat. Look for labels that say "100 percent whole wheat." Otherwise, you won't be getting the healthiest bread. According to RealAge.com, beware of labels pairing flour with the words enriched, bleached, unbleached, durum, and semolina.
• Multigrain. A bread can contain many different types of grains, but they could be processed — and have little nutritional value. Look for the term "100 percent whole grain."
• Made with whole grains. If the labels states "made with whole grains" but doesn't state how much is used, the bread may only contain a small amount.
Choose breads that:
• Have 80 or less calories per slice
• Contain no more than 200 mg of salt per slice
• Have least 2 grams of fiber per slice
• Have a short ingredient list
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