NuTrIeNtS In BrEaD

Why is Bread Good for You?

Why Is It Important?

Compared with many other foods in any grocery store or restaurant, bread is an excellent source for many nutrients that are important in a balanced diet. Bread is also (relatively) inexpensive as well.

Depending on the meal, you can find different flavors of bread that are healthy and that complement the flavor profile of your menu.

Read on to learn more about what is contained within a loaf of bread that makes it so important for our on-going good health.

Vitamins.

B-vitamins
Bread contains many of the B-vitamins which are important for our digestive system and for aiding in the way our body uses energy. Whole grain breads contain more of the B-vitamins than in Enriched White bread.

Several very important vitamins that you can find in bread are vitamin B-1, vitamin B-2, and vitamin B-3. Thiamine is another name for vitamin B-1 and riboflavin is another name for vitamin B-3.

Folic acid is another very important B vitamin, especially for women.
All women need folic acid. When a woman has enough folic acid before and during pregnancy, it can help prevent major birth defects of her baby's brain and spine.

These vitamins help our body grow, help our body obtain energy from other foods, and help keep our nervous system healthy. By eating just two (2) slices of our Aunt Hattie All Natural 100% Whole Wheat Bread each day, you will be getting 20% of your recommended daily needs for Thiamin and Folic Acid and 12% of your recommended daily needs for Riboflavin.

One thing to remember: since our body does not store either of these B-vitamins, it is necessary for us to consume them daily. People who live in poorer countries where these vitamins are not readily available suffer from diseases like Beri Beri and Pellagra.

Minerals

A mineral is an inorganic substance that occurs naturally in the earth. A mineral is neither vegetable nor animal-derived. You may be surprised to learn there are a number of minerals present within a slice of bread or a hamburger bun. How did they get there? From the earth and through the wheat kernel.

One very important mineral you will find in our products is calcium. Calcium helps build healthy bones and teeth and also helps in the formation of a blood clot whenever we scratch or injure our skin. Calcium also helps keep our nerves and muscles healthy. By eating just two (2) slices of our Aunt Hattie All Natural Multi Grain Bread each day, you will be providing your body with 40% of its recommended daily needs of this important mineral.

Another mineral that is very important in making healthy blood is iron, and iron is very prevalent in bakery products. By eating just two (2) slices of our Aunt Hattie All Natural Wheat berry Bread each day, you will be providing your body with 16% of its recommended daily needs of this important mineral.

Other minerals present in a slice of bread: sodium, potassium, magnesium, copper, phosphorous, and manganese---all very useful minerals for a healthy body.

Energy and Digestion.

By now, you may have learned in your chemistry class that the amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of one gram of water, one degree Celsius© at one (1) Atmospheric pressure, is one calorie. In food, a calorie is used as the unit for measuring the energy produced by food when metabolized by our body.

Bread is a source of calories, which provide heat and energy for our body to use now and in the future, since unused calories are stored as fat for use in the future whenever the body is in need of more energy. The energy actually comes from the starch, which is a type of carbohydrate. Starch is converted by our body into sugars which become the fuel that enables us to walk, run, and play.

Fiber

By consuming fiber, we help our digestive system function naturally. Fiber actually comes from the wheat bran, which is the outside skin of the wheat kernel. Our Aunt Hattie All Natural Wheat berry Bread for example, contains three (3) grams of fiber per serving, which in this case, is one (1) slice and provides you with 13% of your recommended daily requirements.