What’s in your bread and why does it matter?

“If you’ve ever had fresh-baked, whole grain bread, you’ve probably noticed how different it tastes compared to a slice of white bread from the supermarket. One tastes like wheat, and the other tastes like sugar.” - Zooey Deschanel

In this episode of Your Food’s Roots, Zooey Deschanel dives into the topic of bread, how it’s produced, and what we should look for when we buy your next loaf.

What is whole wheat bread? Whole wheat bread is bread that uses every part of the grain, hence the name ‘whole grain,’ whereas white bread tends to only use the starch. Consider this diagram:

Whole wheat uses the bran, the germ, and the endosperm. White bread uses only the germ, which your body turns into sugar. The intake of white bread can have a similar effect on your body as eating sugar; you might suffer from brain fog, an insulin rush, etc. One of the reasons white bread is so prevalent in grocery stores is because it has a longer shelf life than whole wheat bread and can travel long distances without expiring.

What should I look for when I buy bread?

Here are the ingredients and types of breads to look for when you’re at the grocery store:

Whole wheat: Avoid enriched flour or multi-grain bread since it can mean there are a variety of grains present, which can include non-whole wheat.

Single-streamed Milled: This process means that the integrity of the wheat are kept together.

Sprouted bread: This bread allows grains to sprout before it’s ground into flour; look for breads that have all their grains listed in the ingredient list. You’ll likely find sprouted bread in either the refrigerated or frozen section.

If you’re at a baker, be sure to ask them what kind of wheat they use to ensure that you’re eating whole wheat bread.

What’s a simple recipe for bread?

In the episode above, Santa Monica-based baker and chef Clémence Gossett shares her go-to recipe for bread that is relatively simple to make. Check it out here; you’ll only need five ingredients to make this loaf.

We hope you enjoy this episode; there are several adverse effects of stripped wheat so be sure to find a source for bread is both delicious and nutritious!