JUST ASK JO: IS BREAD HEALTHY?
This week's JUST ASK JO we're focusing on nutrition and I'm diving into all the things you want learn about how to nourish your body.
Question:
Hi Jo !
Just wanna ask, which is healthiest forms of bread? sourdough or rye? or are they even healthy?
Also, is buckwheat a great source of carbs if I wanna eat pasta but still want a healthy way?
- Rika
ANSWER:
I believe in carbs! I think carbs are an essential source of macronutrient and we can't keep fearing it. Sadly diet culture has created such a fear around eating carbs and fats by creating low-carb foods, low-fat diets, etc.
Foods are a combination of 3 macronutrient building blocks: carbs, fats, and proteins. Each are essential for a body to function. Foods are a combination of 3 macronutrient building blocks: carbs, fats, and proteins. Each are essential for a body to function.
Carbohydrates are the sugars, starches and fibers found in fruits, grains, vegetables and milk products. Though often maligned in trendy diets, carbohydrates — one of the basic food groups — are important to a healthy life. (source) Carbs provide fuel for the central nervous system and energy for muscles to function.
“Fill your daily diet with REAL food that came from the earth. ”
GOOD CARB VS BAD CARB
There are so many resources out there that talk about ways and forms of measuring any macronutrient which is why it can get so confusing to know what is a good carb vs a bad carb. It's even starting to blur the lines of what is healthy vs what is not.
So here's my rule about all food: Fill your daily diet with REAL food that came from the earth. Eat whole wheat vs enriched bleach flour, snack on an orange instead of orange juice. The less processed and refined the carb, the healthier.
SOURDOUGH VS RYE
One of the things I love about a sourdough bread is that it's made by fermentation of the dough. There are over 50 million yeast germs and 5 billion lactobacilli bacteria in every teaspoon of starter sourdough. Making it packed probiotics that aid in a healthy digestive system. Some say that sourdough is also easier for them to digest. There's other research that also say that sourdough may have a better effect on blood sugar and insulin levels.
Rye bread tends to be more nutritious than wheat or barely because of the nature in comes in. It contains more fiber than wheat flour and fewer calories as well. Due to the high amount of fiber it's great for someone who needs a little help with constipation, excess gas, and can ease stomach pain and cramping.
Between the two, I love the taste of sourdough more and I'm a huge believer of prebiotics and probiotics. If I can get it in my food, I'll go for it that way.
IS BUCKWHEAT A GREAT SOURCE OF CARBS IF I WANT TO EAT PASTA IN A HEALTHY WAY?
Buckwheat is an awesome source of carbs and has an incredibly high level of protein and IT'S GLUTEN FREE! It's high on soluble fiber and has other micronutrients like zinc, copper, and potassium. As far as eating it for pasta, I say if you want to eat buckwheat pasta go for it. Like I mentioned I keep my rules for food very simple: Fill your daily diet with REAL food that came from the earth. Buckwheat has a slightly nutty flavor so keep that in mind when pairing it with your other foods.
