A Dietitian’s Guide to Bread

By Mairead Rodgers, RD PHEc

As a dietitian and nutrition coach, I get asked about bread all the time.

Is bread bad for me? Am I eating too much bread? What kind of bread should I eat? Should I eat wraps or something instead?

Let’s clear some easy stuff up quickly. Bread is not bad for you. Yes you can eat it multiple times a day (if you have specific medical conditions that make you question this, maybe you should see a dietitian).

Best bread choices are usually whole wheat and whole grain breads. They pack in more fibre and nutrition than white breads. If you’ve never heard of fibre, it keeps you full longer, keeps your blood sugar more stable, helps lower cholesterol, and keeps your bowels regular. Look for “whole grain wheat flour” or “whole wheat flour” to be the first ingredient. “Enriched wheat flour” is usually just white flour. Check the nutrition info and look for at least 2-3 grams of fibre per slice. Check the serving size at the top of the nutrition info to see if it’s referring to one or two slices on your label.

Flatbreads and wraps are usually pretty similar to bread in terms of calories, carbs, and fibre, if you’re comparing similar serving sizes. One is not better than the other; the best one for you is the one you like! Aim for whole wheat versions of these as well.

Those are the quick answers to your bread questions!

Other nutrition questions? Let’s chat! Email me to book your FREE 15-Minute Bite-Sized Nutrition Chat!