Let's agree that there are very few things better than bread. They are easily available, versatile, and give you enough room to experiment. Moreover, you get bread in different varieties to use in different recipes. From classic milk bread and brown bread to sourdough, pita bread, focaccia, brioche, and more, options are many, leaving you spoiled for choice. But unfortunately, not all loaves are made equal. Hence, it is important to take a glance at the label on the packets before getting them billed at a grocery counter. In this article, we will take you through a few essential points that you must always check before buying a packet of bread. Let's get started.
Also Read: Breaking Down Brown Bread: Is Your Healthy Choice Actually a Hidden Culprit?
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Here Are The 6 Essential Tips You Must Never Forget While Buying Bread:
1. Check for hidden sugar:
We all know the bread-making process needs some amount of sugar to activate the yeast. But remember, it shouldn't turn into a muffin! So, whenever you are buying bread, check for the added sugar (in any form) on the label, as factory-made ones often use excess sugar, cane juice, honey, and other such sweeteners to keep up the moisture of the food.
2. Check for hidden salt:
Much like sugar, we also need salt to bake bread. But often brands add more salt than needed to enhance the flavors, making it act like an additive. According to a report by Michigan State University, a slice of bread shouldn't contain more than 100-200mg of sodium. So, check the label accordingly for total salt content and decide.
3. Check the ingredients:
We often go for brown bread, wheat bread, and multi-grain bread, thinking them to be the healthier options. Unfortunately, that is not the case in most cases. Nutritionist Richa Gangani states that factories often add other types of flour, along with the mentioned ones, to make them tastier and more cost-effective. So, always check for the ingredients mentioned on the back of the packet before buying something that says "whole wheat bread" or so.
4. Check for best before date:
This is probably the first thing you should do when buying bread. Check for the use by and best before dates to enjoy the bread fresh and soft. Click here to understand the difference between 'use by' and 'best before' tags to avoid food wastage.
5. Check for preservatives:
We agree that bread tastes the best when it is fresh. But regrettably, several brands often use preservatives and additives to extend the taste, texture, and freshness of the bread. The best practice is to avoid bread with additives, as much as possible.
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6. Check for fiber content:
Fiber is one of the most popular components of bread. But during processing, bread often loses fiber significantly, making it a not-so-healthy product to opt for. So, always check the amount of fiber mentioned on the label before picking your packet of bread.
Now that you have the tips handy, we suggest picking your packet of bread mindfully for a healthy and wholesome meal. Meanwhile, here's a healthy brown bread recipe that you can try to bake at home.