1 Multigrain, wholegrain, wholemeal: what's the difference and which bread is best? With so many choices of bread available, it's hard to know which is best for us Choices include wholemeal, wholegrain, multigrain, sourdough, rye and low GI Leah Dowling, lecturer in dietetics at Swinburne University of Technology, gives gives her take on each type By Leah Dowling For The Conversation Published: 11:16 EST, 19 January 2018 | Updated: 17:32 EST, 19 January 2018 Bread has always been a dietary staple in most households – it's a good source of carbohydrate and it's low in fat. We all know that wholemeal is better for us than white bread. But how does wholemeal, wholegrain and multigrain compare? And what about sourdough, rye, high fibre white, low GI, low FODMAP and gluten-free? With so many choices of bread available, it's hard to know which is best for our health. Writing for The Conversation, Leah Dowling, lecturer in dietetics at Swinburne University of Technology, gives her take on each type. With so many choices of bread available – from wholemeal, wholegrain and multigrain to sourdough, rye, low GI and gluten-free – it's hard to know which is best for us With so many choices of bread available – from wholemeal, wholegrain and multigrain to sourdough, rye, low GI and gluten-free – it's hard to know which is best for us White bread vs wholemeal Due to the grains being ground down during processing, white and wholemeal breads have a higher glycaemic index (GI) than wholegrain bread. This results in glucose being released into the bloodstream more quickly. Foods with a high GI index can can cause blood sugar spikes and have been liked to a raised risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Regular consumption of lower GI foods helps to regulate blood glucose levels, keeping us fuller for longer, and helping us eat fewer calories to keep our weight in check. Wholemeal bread has a lower glycaemic index (GI) which is healthier as it's better for our sugar levels. Wholemeal bread has a lower glycaemic index (GI) which is healthier as it's better for our sugar levels. Furthermore, white bread is made from wheat that has had the germ and bran removed, thereby reducing the fibre, B group vitamins, vitamin E and minerals such as iron, zinc, magnesium and phosphorus. 2 Wholemeal bread is made from wholegrains that have been milled to a fine texture, giving a plain brown appearance. Wholemeal flour contains more fibre than white flour. Wholemeal bread also contains more vitamins and minerals than many white breads, but has a higher GI than wholegrain breads. What about white bread labelled 'high fibre'? High fibre white breads are white breads that have fibre added to them. This makes them a better choice than regular white bread especially for children (or fussy adults) who won't eat wholegrain bread. Wholegrains Wholegrain bread has a dense wholemeal flour base and well as lots of grain and seeds. They contains the entire grain: the bran (outer layer), endosperm (starchy middle layer) and germ (nutrient rich inner part). It's a rich source of carbohydrates, protein, unsaturated (good) fats, vitamins and minerals and healthy fats as well as three types of fibre: soluble, insoluble and resistant starch. Diets high in wholegrains are linked to a reduced risk of health conditions such as excess weight and obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and some cancers. The high dietary fibre helps keep us feeling full. It is also beneficial for bowel health by preventing constipation and feeding the 'good' gut bacteria which is likely to result in a number of health benefits. A recent study found a diet high in wholegrains was associated with a lower risk of bowel cancer. Soy and linseed bread has the added benefit of healthy omega 3 fats. Wholegrain bread is low GI as are wholemeal breads with added grains. Multigrain bread Often multigrain bread is made from white flour with some added grains. Despite this, multigrain breads tend to have more fibre and a lower GI than white bread, resulting in longer lasting energy. Rye bread Wholegrain rye with added grains has more fibre and vitamins than light rye Wholegrain rye with added grains has more fibre and vitamins than light rye. Rye bread has a heavier texture due to a lower gluten content (but it's not gluten free). 3 Wholegrain rye with added grains has a higher fibre and vitamin content than light rye and has a lower GI, as does rye sourdough. Wholegrain rye is a good choice for health and even light rye is better than white. Sourdough Sourdough bread has a lower GI due to the higher acidity level. Fibre, vitamin and mineral levels vary with the flour used, with wholegrain sourdough being the preferred choice. Be sure to choose an authentic sourdough, as some are faux sourdough and contain yeast rather than the traditional starter. Sourdough bread has a lower GI due to the higher acidity level. Sourdough bread has a lower GI due to the higher acidity level. Authentic sourdough takes a long time to produce and results in an acidic and chewy bread, two features that lower the GI. Look for a chewy texture and the absence of yeast in the ingredients, preferably with wholewheat flour or rye wholemeal, grains and seeds. Gluten free Gluten free breads are made from an alternative grain to wheat, so as to avoid the wheat protein gluten. Traditionally, gluten free breads have had a lower fibre content and higher GI than their wheatcontaining counterparts, although, there are now some with added seeds. These breads are useful for people with a gluten intolerance such as coeliac disease, but offer no additional health benefits beyond regular breads for the rest of us. Video playing bottom right... GLUTEN FREE FOODS CONTAIN MORE FAT AND LOWER PROTEIN AND FIBRE THAN EQUIVALENTS Gluten free foods contain more fat, salt and sugar than their gluten-containing equivalents, and are generally more than twice has expensive, a study published yesterday found. Researchers at the University of Hertfordshire said it was clear that gluten free (GF) products offer no nutritional advantage to regular foods and are not a healthier alternative, which may surprise many consumers. They also found that gluten free foods were 159% more expensive than their regular counterparts. A study found that gluten free products are not healthier alternatives to regular food – and they're considerably more expensive too. 4 A study found that gluten free products are not healthier alternatives to regular food – and they're considerably more expensive too (stock image) More than 1,700 food products from Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons and Ocado, were compared by researchers. They found that, with the exception of crackers, gluten free foods contained more fat, salt and sugar and also had lower fibre and protein content than their equivalents. A GF diet is the only treatment option for those who suffer from coeliac disease but many more people in the UK and around the world avoid gluten foods as it is perceived to contribute towards a healthy lifestyle. This has lead to a huge increase in sales of GF foods in recent years. A gluten free diet – of which Victoria Beckham Gwyneth Paltrow and Miley Cyrus are said to be fans – avoids the proteins found in wheat, rye and barley. Advocates believe our modern diets have become increasingly high in refined wheat products and believe over consumption may lead to digestive symptoms such as bloating, pain and stomach cramps in those who are sensitive to gluten. It is believed that around 13 per cent of the UK population are gluten-free. And the figure is even higher in the US, with a quarter saying they had consumed such foods in 2015 – a 67 per cent increase in two years. The findings come after gastroenterologist Dr Suzanne Mahady, a senior lecturer, Monash University, earlier this week said only those diagnosed with coeliac disease – caused by a reaction of the immune system to gluten, which is different to gluten sensitivity – should keep to the strict diet.
