The humble white slice of bread has been a staple of British life for almost 100 years, and when it coincided strangely with the invention of the pop-up toaster in 1926, it was a marriage made in buttered heaven.
“White sliced bread is one of the staples of the British diet and is deeply embedded in consumer psychology and tradition, making habits and preferences extremely difficult to change,” said Dean of Science, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences. , says Dr. Jibin He. Faculty of Science, University of Teesside.
Jump to:
And it’s true, sometimes just the comfort of a slice of white bread dough is enough. Tender, chewy, carb-filled slices make perfect combinations, like toast and jam, dippy eggs and soldiers, or chunky bacon sandwiches.
We are a people obsessed with white bread. So scientists at Aberystwyth University are working to develop a healthier version of white bread by blending flour with foods such as peas and oats, while preserving taste and texture. is welcome news. Because according to Mintel, £876 million worth of bread was sold in 2021, with sliced white bread accounting for 71 per cent of UK bread consumption and the most eaten by some margin. This is because the bread is And studies have shown that its appeal can become addictive due to the intense sugar spikes caused by its high glycemic index.
“To make it healthier, brands have been developed that add bran or fiber to increase the fiber content, but this is not a continuation of the basic sliced white bread.” says the doctor. “Even though consumers know it’s not healthy.”
We may love plastic bread, but plastic bread doesn’t love us. In fact, nutritionally speaking, in many cases we may be equivalent to eating cardboard.
“Typically, white bread is made from white flour, which is a highly refined carbohydrate, and gluten proteins. A typical white sliced bread has nothing else in it, so it doesn’t have much value from a health perspective. No. Whole grains contain an outer layer of bran and germ, which provide us with fiber, antioxidants, vitamins and other proteins that we need. It is not a refined carbohydrate that has gone through a manufacturing process where all the useful parts are thrown away,” says Dr. He.
White sliced bread is considered an ultra-processed food (UPF) because the initial ingredients have been industrially manipulated and additives, preservatives, emulsifiers, and stabilizers have been added along the way.
But that doesn’t mean you should avoid commercially sliced white bread completely. “We don’t want to ban foods that people love, like white bread, which is often much more affordable than other types of bread, but it’s best to consume it in moderation, and ideally “It’s best not to consume it as part of your daily diet,” says Amelia Lake. She is a nutritionist and Professor of Public Health Nutrition at Teesside University.
fiber
Dr Catherine Edwards, from the Quadrum Institute, which brings together researchers, academics and NHS clinicians to address global challenges in human health, food and disease, said:
“The main thing I want to focus on is the fiber content. Fiber is very important for gut and metabolic health, but most people don’t get enough of it. White bread is usually not particularly high in fiber. However, because many people use white bread as a staple food, it is an important source of fiber in many households.” Professor Lake added: “Many white sliced breads are low in fibre. , check to see how much a particular brand offers, and be wary of hidden salt and sugar,” he adds.
Additive
“Some breads are fortified with nutrients. Some additives aren’t as scary as you might think, but they do help keep the bread fresh and safe to eat for a long time. There are also additives,” says Dr. Edwards. Good additives are calcium, iron, riboflavin, thiamin, niacin. Additives to watch out for are emulsifiers, which have been linked in some studies to affecting the gut microbiome, and palm oil, which is high in saturated fats that increase unhealthy cholesterol and triglycerides, which increases the likelihood of heart disease. is. Also, be wary of acidity regulators and preservatives that make foods ultra-processed and unhealthy, as UPF has been linked to an increased risk of cancer and type 2 diabetes.
Dietitian Priya Tew, director of Dietitian UK, said: ‘Fresh bread from supermarket bakeries has fewer additives and preservatives, is less ultra-processed and is UPF-free. It may happen,” he said. And what is the healthiest white bread of all? Dr He recommends mixing it with whole grains, such as Hovis Best of Both or Warburtons Half and Half.Whole grains contain so many nutrients that they’re better than just plain white bread. It’s also much healthier.”
Nutritionist Priya Tew gives her verdict on the 10 most popular white sliced breads, considering their content in vitamins, healthy fibre, harmful sugars, salt and additives, and value for money. .
M&S Super Soft Thick Sliced White Bread, 800g, 75p (Ocado)
highest fiber content
