Long Live Bread!

Making a sandwich? Put lots of nutritious ingredients between those slices of bread.
Long Live Bread!
Yes, you can enjoy breads and rolls. (Dreamstime/TNS)
11/23/2023
Updated:
11/23/2023
0:00

Sliced bread and rolls, or at least sandwich or burger rolls, are most often eaten as part of a meal—not a meal on their own. They’re usually the vehicles that allow eating their fillings to be easier. For that reason, when we think about their nutritional quality, we have to remember that more will be added to what they provide. This is especially important when looking at those nutrients we try to limit such as saturated fat, sodium, and added sugar. Fortunately, the bread and roll aisle of the grocery store has no shortage of items which may help make it easier to find items that meet your specific nutrient or food goals.

The most meaningful nutrients for most of us when it comes to bread and rolls are sodium and fiber. Keeping in mind you might be eating two slices at a time; some breads could end up providing up to 500 milligrams of sodium before fillings are even added. Bread is a great way to meet some of your fiber and whole grain needs, so look for those with at least a few grams of fiber per serving. Fortunately, there are plenty of options that will allow both of these concerns to be managed.

Helpful Hints

Feeling like a sandwich? Keep the following in mind when choosing what will hold your fillings together.

However you slice it. Many breads come in traditional and thin-sliced options. Thinner slices can be great options to help keep calories, fat, and sodium under control.

Do you need to double up? The Nutrition Facts Panel serving size for bread is usually one slice. Keep in mind if you’re having a sandwich, you’ll need to double all of the numbers.

Fill It Up

To create a well-rounded meal, consider filling your sandwich with as many food groups as you can. Protein sources, healthy fats and veggies help make a nutrient dense and filling meal.

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