Is bread bad for your diet?
Bread has been a part of our diet for thousands of years. Now over the past few decades people seem to be scared of it as though it is the sole cause of the current obesity epidemic.
‘White bread is bad for you’.
‘Bread makes me gain weight I’m going to cut it out completely’.
I can clarify that neither of these statements are true.
Can white or brown bread be part of my diet?
Both white or brown bread can easily form part of a well balanced diet.
Even small studies comparing groups that included bread in their diet and those that didnt actually adhered to their diet and got better results. Rather than cutting things out, just reduce your intake or find lower calorie options.
Studies do show however the dietary patterns that include whole-grain bread or white bread do not influence weight gain when combined with a calorie deficit. They also show that there are more benefits to actually consuming bread, specifically whole grain. But when comparing the two different types there is very little difference in nutrition.
Below is a link to a comprehensive analysis of 38 studies of which show no correlation between bread consumption and a high BMI.
https://academic.oup.com/nutritionreviews/article/70/4/218/1937101
My final thought…
In conclusion white or brown bread can be included as part of a weight loss diet. Just make sure you control your total calorie consumption ensuring a calorie deficit to lose weight. As a personal trainer, I provide nutritional advice to help with weight loss.
For more nutritional advice, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.