Bread seems simple until you start reading nutrition labels. The amount of sugar as well as carbohydrates, fiber protein, and calories in two loaves that look similar can be quite different. The differences in appearance can impact the likelihood that a slice can be easily incorporated into one’s routine meals or it consumes an unexpectedly large quantity of carbs.
Fitbakes has developed a unique approach with their Seeded Low Carb Loaf. The loaf isn’t designed to substitute bread in a diet that is low in carbs. It is designed to alter the nutritional content of each slice.
Image credit: fitbakes.co.uk
A Slice Is More Than Its Calorie Count
If you’re searching for products that are low in calories, the first thing that comes to mind is calories. However, this is not all there is. Carbohydrate, sugar, protein and fiber content could be equally important based on your objectives.
Fitbakes says that its bread with seeds offers 0.8g net carbohydrates and 7g of protein per slice. It also contains 17% seeds – golden sunflower seeds, linseeds and other seeds.
The combination of the two provides consumers with a new way to judge bread. Instead of asking “How many calories are there in this?” it becomes useful to ask what you’re actually getting from these calories.
How Protein is Changing the Way we Talk
Bread isn’t usually the first food item that pops up when referring to protein. Protein content is essential when trying to limit portions or make meals that are substantial however, you shouldn’t be relying too heavily on carbohydrates.
Take a simple breakfast. Toast is a distinct food nutritionally than a seeded higher-protein slice topped by an avocado and egg. In the same way, using bread to serve a chicken, tuna, or cheese sandwich creates an easy meal without requiring anyone to create a completely different “diet” for lunch.
When looking at the top low-carb breads available that are available on the UK market, buyers should take into account the functionality of the product. Bread’s usefulness is limited if you can’t use it to cook meals that you enjoy.
The role of seeds is more than just texture
Golden sunflower seeds and linseeds provide bread a distinctive crunch, but they aren’t included only to add crunch. They can also provide proteins, fiber, fats and other essential nutrients to a recipe.
They also alter the eating experience. Toasting the Fitbakes loaf has a stronger Nutmeg-like flavor, and it’s a more suitable base for toppings. That matters when you’re using bread for something substantial, rather than eating it plain.
Understanding the “Low Sugar” Label
There is also an important distinction between low sugar bread and low-carbohydrate bread. Sugar is a type carbohydrate. Therefore, if you find a lot of sugar in a nutrition label does not necessarily mean that the item has low total or net carbs.
In order to manage your carbohydrate intake take into consideration all nutrition information, along with the serving size, rather than simply relying on the front of the-pack description.
Bread that fits into the Meal
If you’re interested in knowing the difference between specialty breads take a break from thinking about what they will take out and instead think about what they let the user to do.
The bread that is served with soup or the sandwich you can enjoy during lunch is a typical meal. The carb-conscious consumer can keep their favourite foods for as long as the bread contains less than 1 grams net carbs per slice.
For many, that is a matter of practicality as much as what’s printed on the label for nutrition.