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White Bread vs. Wheat Bread

Simply switching from white to whole wheat bread can lower heart disease risk by 20 percent, according to research from the University of Washington reported in the April 2, 2003 issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association.

Lisa Barley


I know whole wheat bread and white bread are different, but how exactly? 

There are two big differences: how they’re processed and how healthful they are. The flour
for both is made from wheat berries, which have three nutrient-rich parts: the bran (the outer layers), the germ (the innermost area) and the endosperm (the starchy part in between). Whole wheat is processed to include all three nutritious parts, but white flour uses only the endosperm. When put head-to-head with whole wheat bread, white is a nutritional lightweight. Whole wheat is much higher in fiber, vitamins B6 and E, magnesium, zinc, folic acid and chromium.
 
But of all these nutritional goodies, fiber is the star:

*In a 10-year Harvard study completed in 1994, men and women who ate high-fiber breads had fewer heart attacks and strokes than those whose tastes ran to bagels and baguettes.

*Simply switching from white to whole wheat bread can lower heart disease risk by 20 percent, according to research from the University of Washington reported in the April 2, 2003
issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association. 

*Fiber has long been known to aid digestive health too.

*Fiber can help you lose or maintain weight because eating fiber-dense wheat bread helps you feel full.

But a lot of white bread is enriched. Doesn’t that take care of the nutrients lost during refining?

Nope. When flour is refined, it loses the most nutritious parts of the grain—the fiber, essential fatty acids, and most of the vitamins and minerals. In fact, about 30 nutrients are removed, but
by law only five must be added back (though others often are): iron, niacin, thiamin, riboflavin and folic acid. There’s so little fiber left after processing that you’d have to eat eight pieces of white bread to get the fiber in just one piece of whole wheat bread.

Other foods besides whole grains have fiber and nutrients. Can’t I just get what I need from them and still enjoy my dinner rolls?

Whole grains provide health benefits that other foods don’t. In a Harvard study of 75,000 nurses, those who ate at least three servings a day of whole grains cut their heart attack risk by 35 percent and were less likely to get into weight or bowel trouble. By contrast, those who ate more processed foods—such as white bread, white rice and sodas—were more than twice as likely to develop diabetes. “Science continues to support the key role of whole grains in reducing chronic illnesses,” says Len Marquart, professor of nutrition at the University of Minnesota and author of the first health claim for whole grains approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.

How can I tell if bread is really whole wheat?

Color used to be a clue, but no more. Although white bread is white because it’s been bleached, some dark bread has just had caramel coloring added to it. Look for “whole grain” or “whole wheat” as the first ingredient on the label. If any other ingredient is first, put the loaf back and keep looking.

Is bread a vegan food?

Not usually. Many of the breads sold in grocery stores contain non-vegan ingredients, including milk, eggs, honey, shortening or whey—not to mention sodium stearyl lactylate, glycerides, emulsifiers, natural flavorings, artificial flavorings and lactase, all of which may be derived from animals. Vegans often have better luck at bakeries but still need to ask if the bread pans are greased with animal fat. If you like to bake, you can make your own bread. But if that doesn’t interest you, try Rudi’s Organic, Nature’s Path or Brownberry’s—they all produce vegan breads available nationwide.


Comments

By Jack on Jan 18, 2008:
White flour has killed millions of people! Save your life, and eat whole wheat bread.
By Tom on Feb 26, 2008:
And millions of people have died because they have had no food at all.
By jose on Feb 28, 2008:
In the middle point you find the sage way
By stillluvbread on Apr 02, 2008:
I'm allergic to wheat! =( White bread harms me less
By lana on May 03, 2008:
try bread made from spelt, it's an older variety of grain and causes fewer allergic reactions.
By By toni on Ma 12, 2008 on May 12, 2008:
I like both of them but whole wheat is better for health wise.
By Dan on May 27, 2008:
Way to miss the point of this article Tom...
By motley crue on Nov 18, 2008:
ya good job at getting the point tom.
By Bella on Nov 30, 2008:
i personaly love white bread. i hate the taste of whole wheat. so thanks but i will continue to eat white.
By Sam S. on Dec 14, 2008:
I used to LOVE white, hate wheat. Once I used my brain and ate wheat, I really started to enjoy it. Now I hate white bread and complain whenever that's the only bread there is. I love the taste, richness and nutrition of wheat bread, it is all so much better than white bread.
By Anonymous on Dec 31, 2008:
I LOVE WHEAT BREAD!!
By Danaisha on Jan 09, 2009:
This site really helped me with my Science Research
By Anonymous on Jan 22, 2009:
white bread yay
By Angel Hightower on Mar 10, 2009:
I was doing a research report on the difference between wheat and white breads and this really helped me alot. plus now I know a little more about my bread and I'm going to buy wheat breads for now on because I don't want to have a heart attack when I get older.
By Jen on May 28, 2009:
I feel exactly the same thing as Sam S. Used to love white changed for my health now cant stand white...it just feels like Im eating fluff and mush...no substance...I love the density of wheat. and I certainly would rather eat 1 piece of good wheat than 8 pieces of white. God, I sound like some kind of bread snob. oh well :-)
By thnp on Jun 12, 2009:
I really like the taste of white bread but unfortunately wheat bread is better for you.
By jamal on Jun 30, 2009:
why do people eat white bread instead of wheat
By Anthony on Jul 05, 2009:
@Jamal: Since there is a lot of starch bakers have an easy time bringing out the sugars to give the bread flavor, and everybody likes the taste of sugars (it is probably hardwired into our brains because sugars keep us alive). It could always be the textures to, some people like really fluffy bread.
By Stewart on Jul 26, 2009:
@ Dan & Motley Crue

Way to fail at comprehending just what Tom was referring to.
By VandeKamp on Jul 29, 2009:
White bread is disgusting and harmful. Wheat bread tastes great and is good and helpful. No one I know eats white bread. Only self-destructive, miseducated, or impoverished people eat white bread.
By Dave H. on Aug 04, 2009:
You know, I have always heard that wheat has been better than white, but I always grew up eating white, even riding my bike to the Hostess store for a loaf of White Wonder Bread. As I read this, I am eating a PB&J on wheat, and it is delicious. This article helped clear the air even further, and I will buy wheat from now on!!
By Lendale P. Jackstein on Aug 12, 2009:
I have switched over to whole grain/wheat. But nothing in this world makes me happier than when I am served a peanut butter (creamy) and jelly (grape) sandwich on Wonder Bread. I mean, those ingredients are just fine surrounded by wheat, but divine with white!
By Sandie on Sep 06, 2009:
There's one very good reason why some people eat white bread: My husband suffers from Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and is desperately trying to re-balance intake of soluble vs insoluble fiber after 3 months of being poisoned (with the best of intentions!) by his chili-, garlic-, and fat-meat-loving mother-in-law. He loves whole-wheat bread, but cannot currently digest it.
@ VandeKamp: My husband is neither "self-destructive, miseducated, or impoverished" - his digestive system cannot tolerate certain types of input. Way to stop a conversation, dude!
By Dina on Sep 21, 2009:
I eat wheat bread but hate the taste. I eat it because I know it's healthier for me. I've struggled with weight my entire life. Vandekamp you do have a small point. It is way more expensive to eat healthy. I believe small changes help.
By jeff on Sep 22, 2009:
we should all eat skittles and end the debate
By Twitch on Oct 04, 2009:
I agree with jeff. I like skittles
By Brittany on Oct 15, 2009:
In my opinion, if you like white bread, eat it! If you like your LIFE and HEALTH, eat whole wheat or whole grain bread.
By Alex on Oct 24, 2009:
White bread tastes horrible and feels like eating a sponge. They now have white wheat bread. Why would anybody want it, it tastes and feels like white bread and it only has the nitrition of wheat bread. White bread sucks because the texture sucks.
By Ciottie' Adare Thompson on Oct 26, 2009:
I was raised to eat both, but since I got older I started eating wheat bread.
By Polly on Nov 19, 2009:
I'm 15 and I totally agree that white bread sucks! It does taste like sponge doesn't it. . . not that I would know how that tastes. "Hillshire Bread. . . . GO WHEAT!"
By pain on Nov 24, 2009:
what about potato bread i like it is it as bad as white bread after reading this im going to wheat now
By ash on Nov 27, 2009:
I have alway's preferred wheat to white because of the taste. I found it even better that while I was always eating wheat while my very health conscience cousins were eating white.My wife and I have been eating Sara Lee 100% whole wheat now, for about 5years and we think it is the best. Try it out.
By elmo on Dec 03, 2009:
wheat bread may be healthier, but white bread is yummier!
By bmoney on Dec 04, 2009:
i like wheat bread better.
By kayla roper on Dec 10, 2009:
i used to be hooked on white bread till i heard how good wheat bread was for you, so i started over to wheat, i at first didnt like it, then i started getting used to it and i love wheat bread!!! i cant even stand to say the word's "white bread" anymore. Whit bread is just white fluff. White bread also Clog's up your arteries!!!!!!!!
By M. Aponte on Jan 06, 2010:
Are you able to bake a nice wedding cake with wheat flour and it will come out okay? Light and moist without any additional flavor?
What about making any other kind of breads besides slice bread? I eat french bread.
By Hot Rod on Jan 07, 2010:
Unfortunately, we live in a world where we like what we're taught to like and hate the what we're taught to hate. We've learned that white bread looks better so, we think it's better. No, white bread is exactly what it is... bland and absent of important nutrients. It's time for u eat right and rid yourself of these bad habits. Eat right. Live Long and not just long but, happier.
By Rob Pattinson on Jan 26, 2010:
I don't eat much white bread. Instead, I eat lots of potato bread...yummy...but now i think I will switch over to wheat, since I enjoy living :)
By kabe on Feb 02, 2010:
This is not a life-and-death matter. In the long run, one may be healthier by eating wheat bread as opposed to white, with all other things being equal. However, if one person is obese, a heavy smoker, drinks lots of soda-pop, never exercises, drinks to excess quite often, and likes eating McDonald's and wheat bread versus someone who is lean, exercises, doesn't smoke or drink (too often), generally avoids fast food, but happens to love eating white bread, take a guess who the healthier of the two would be.
By Lindsey on Feb 03, 2010:
kabe, I think it's pretty obvious that there are many other factors that affect one's general health. The point here is that people eat a lot of bread, and if you have to choose between one that is nutritionally empty and one that provides many great health benefits, why not choose the latter? I relate to some of the others who switched from white to wheat -- and now, I couldn't go back. Well worth it!
By sandra on Feb 06, 2010:
Way to go overboard Jack.
By zorro 786 south africa on Feb 07, 2010:
white , black , brown. what the heck, be grateful we have something to eat. some places in the world people are starving. eat the stuff & work it out. feel goooood
By hannah on Feb 12, 2010:
great sight
By Susan on Feb 16, 2010:
I'm 15 and all my school will serve is wheat bread. I know they're trying to keep kids healthy, but there's a problem. What happens when we graduate? A lot of kids hate wheat bread, and since it's never explained in our school why they make certain changes (ex. rationing ketchup, salt, forcing us to get 2 grilled cheese sandwiches, whole wheat pasta...) when we graduate, we won't eat the stuff. Sorry, but even if I know the health benefits, I flat out hate whole wheat foods. I prefer white bread and normal pasta, thank you very much!
By mlwooldridge on Feb 16, 2010:
I just recently switched over to wheat bread..never thought I would like it, but actually has not been bad at all. But what about potato bread ? It has half (35) the calories as white or wheat and has more fiber (2.5g vs 1g for wheat & 0g for white). It also has less carbs and fat.
By mlwooldridge on Feb 16, 2010:
in my previous post, I neglected to point out that the potato bread I referenced to was a "light" version.
By mlwooldridge on Feb 18, 2010:
Here is a total comparison:
Serving size - 2 slices (56g)
White Potatolight)Whole wheat
Calories 140 70 140
Calories from fat 10 16 15
Total fat (g) 2 1 1.5
Saturated fat 0 0.2 0
Polyunsaturated fatn/a 0.4 n/a
Monosaturated fat n/a 0.2 n/a
Trans fat 0 0 0
Carbohydrates (g) 24 18 26
Dietary Fiber (g) 0 5 2
Sugar (g) 4 2 3
Protein (g) 4 8 5
Sodium (mg) 240 200 250
Cholesterol (mg) 0 0 0
% Daily Values (based on 2000 calorie diet)
Vitamin A 0 0 0
Vitamin C 0 0 0
Calcium 4 4 10
Iron 12 10 8
Thiamine 20 25 15
Riboflavin 12 10 8
Niacin 12 10 8
Folic acid 16 15 8
By Mariatta on Feb 24, 2010:
My family has been eating white bread for generation and the elderly have lived to their 90's and even to 104. Enjoy it and don't be fooled by negativity to white.
By Carla on Mar 02, 2010:
I've been eating wheat bread for years. I love it but it seems to be causing vague health problems for me that white bread doesn't cause. Low grade sinus infection, ringing in the ears, tiredness. I don't think it can be classified as an allergy but defintely a sensitivity. I've read that alot of people can't digest the whole grains. If a person eating wheat starts developing vague health issues think about switching to white bread for a while and see if they clear up. For fiber just eat more fruits and vegetables.
By Patrick on Mar 10, 2010:
I too hated wheat as a kid and have grown to prefer it. I actually get sprouted grains when I can, which have even more nutrients than conventional whole wheat bread.

I will say there's definitely something tempting and nostalgic about good old PB & J or grilled cheese on wonder bread, but there's nothing nostalgic about how I feel afterwards and nothing warm and fuzzy about the long term effects of overeating refined carbohydrates.

But moderation is king. I'll have french bread or a croissant every now and again because they're just so darn good---if you're going to eat white flour, why waste it on that playdoughy sliced white stuff? It's a WONDER it's still on the shelves.

Americans are just waking up to the onslaught of unhearlthy food that has filled our lives over the past 50 years or so. Watch the documentary Food Inc. for more info, it's pretty eye-opening. For those who say eating healthy is more expensive, it is in the short term, but you save in health care costs and quality of life. Your choice.

And for those who get all high and mighty about eating healthy and disrespecct people who choose differently, GET OVER YOURSELVES, please. If you genuinely want to help change people's minds, you have to respect them enough to believe they can change and make your case without berating them. Just because you've seen the light doesn't make you better than anyone. We're all in this together.

By Anonymous on Mar 31, 2010:
I started eating wheat bread about 1 year ago; there are many benefits. Its has helped me with my digestion and it taste better 2 me. White bread like Italian lay in your stomach like a rock, hard to digest and not good on the stomach or other organs.
By NotASheep on Apr 20, 2010:
People that use excuses not to eat wheat bread, or even to continue eating meat even though there is so much evidence that it causes DISEASE, are blind and lazy. It's amazing to me how many people refuse to admit the truth to themselves, which can SAVE THEIR LIFE, simply because they are too solid in their comfort zone. It's sad really.
By Jackie on Apr 24, 2010:
For years now I have been buying whole wheat bread. Not anymore! That stuff is so hard to identify and it is way too expensive! So instead I look for calories and carbs. Fructose is found in both wheat and white. So in my opinion if I eat a few slices of white bread a week I doubt I will have done any harm to my body.
By Jackie on Apr 24, 2010:
ps...

White Bread - 70 calories, 12.5 carb grams

Whole Wheat Bread (Regular, Seeded or Low Sodium) -65 calories, 14 carb grams

By Ash-o-ley on Jun 10, 2010:
Ditto, Patrick. I agree with EVERYTHING you wrote and I appreciate your rational, educated opinion.

I, personally, prefer whole/multi grain bread. I feel fuller longer (due to it being lower on the GI scale and causing a lower insulin response) and tend to eat less. White bread sits just fine with me, and I DO occasionally indulge in a peanut butter and jelly (grape is my favorite :-P) but being a health conscious person, I prefer the health benefits of the grainy and whole wheat breads. I prefer the taste of it more as well.

Though I DO have an opinion on this matter; a PERSONAL preference, and I DO agree that one is better than the other in terms of health, I concur that "If you genuinely want to help change people's minds, you have to respect them enough to believe they can change and make your case without berating them." :-D
By Anonymous on Jun 12, 2010:
i like bagels
By Darrin on Jun 13, 2010:
Good grief you bread ideologues. Bread comes in all kinds of flavors and textures, and each have their place in our diverse culinary culture. I love bread in all of its varied splendor. I prefer sourdough for most deli sandwhiches, white for PB&J, potato for quick lunch meat sandwiches, rye with pastrami or as toast, and wheat for tuna. Unfortunately wheat is so dense and has a distinctive flavor it just doesn't always pair with the fixin's. Be a bread pragamatist, generally try to eat healthful food, and get lots of exercise.
By kristin on Jun 14, 2010:
why not just stick to whole wheat bread when its healthier for you. it'll do you no harm.
By Roberto on Jul 02, 2010:
I'm a vegan and I eat white bread. I get a lot of protein from legumes, so I already eat more than enough fiber (see nutrition facts of beans or lentils).
By Anonymous on Jul 17, 2010:
Too much of anything is bad. Everytime I hear a study has been done, I'm reminded of the "egg study".. good for you, not good for you, then good for you again....Again I say, white, wheat,yolk or not, too much of anything is bad for you, and people really need to keep that in mind
By Screw wheat on Jul 21, 2010:
Wheat is nasty, has corns syrup, and some of the worst things for you.And is nasty.White ftw!
By Anna on Jul 23, 2010:
i really like this artical cuz i was using it to help me with my nutrition homework but i read the whole thing and i was really amazed at how much better wheat is. i don't like the taste of wheat but its all we have around the house cuz thats the only bread my mom will buy. lol but yeah wow.
By lynn on Sep 08, 2010:
i hate the taste of wheat bread but love wheat pasta and thomases wheat bagels are awesome! ow i have a bagel instead of toast. it has more calories but contains 32% of my daily fiber so i stay full longer.
By Shayna on Sep 08, 2010:
I've been a vegetarian for a while now and naturally i've always just liked wheat over white bread, i grew up on it and i never knew it was better for you, i just ate it because i like it. I think white bread i dunno, tastes fake or something.
By Margie on Sep 11, 2010:

I have been able to tolerate white bread a little better and then I read why below. If we took away the germ and the bran that is non-digestible we just might be able to digest wheat and not become so sick! We would not think of eating a whole walnut, we always break open the shell to get the good meat out of the nut. Why not break open the wheat berry, get the endosperm that has the most vitamins, proteins and minerals,(your can google this info) then process without harmful chemicals and we would have the optimum healthy bread!

http://nourishedmagazine.com.au/blog/articles/bread-dread-are-you-really-gluten-intolerant
By Tess Tickles on Sep 13, 2010:
Wheat is better for you and it tastes way better.
By Ed on Sep 19, 2010:
Whole wheat does not work for everything. It does not work for pizza crust. It does not work for French bread/baguette, waffles, tortillas. I especially dislike whole wheat pasta. There is no better way to ruin a lasagna then whole wheat pasta. Whole wheat bagels great. The bread is okay, but the kind of whole wheat bread that tastes like you are eating eating out of the horses feed sack, seeds, chunks, dry, etc. it is just bad. I love vegetarian food, but it doesn't always taste good. I'm not going to judge the health aspects.
By Ella on Oct 03, 2010:
ur missing the point of this article,Ed...its proving 2 u that whole wheat is healthier for u...not what tastes better
By katie on Oct 11, 2010:
i was trying to find out how much fat goes in to onee slice of bread forr homeeworkk.. :|
By Janet on Oct 25, 2010:
I LOVE WHITE BREAD!
By Amanda on Nov 20, 2010:
For years and years there has only been wheat bread in my house. One day my mom brought home a loaf of white bread for something she was making that she had to use white bread for. I swear every piece leftover I made toast out of, it was so much better than the wheat bread. People have insisted to me that wheat tastes better or the same as white but I just don't feel that way. Wheat may be healthier but I don't like it as much as white bread. Also, I feel like wheat bread is always thinner? Maybe it's just me
By Kay on Dec 10, 2010:
I am 40 years old and grew up eating whole wheat - from a store as well as homemade. We've known the benefits for a long time of whole wheat bread.
By Dana on Jan 10, 2011:
Since I am getting a little older I am trying to eat more wheat,but I have to say I love my white bread!!!
By Janya on Jan 10, 2011:
thank you ms.barley you absouletly helped me and you are very intelligent keep up the good work
By The ZIPSTER on Jan 13, 2011:
white bread goes best with marlboros, Budweiser, NASCAR and a mobile home
By William stelens on Jan 20, 2011:
dont listen to what they are saying,learn from the best and eat as much white bread as you want, i mean, i eat alot of white bread and i am still health.
By me on Jan 26, 2011:
LOL all of you willing to stay with white bread...do just that..you wont live as long. Fact
By Skittles on Feb 05, 2011:
I love skittles
By Tony on Feb 08, 2011:
The fact of the matter is, don't just believe what people tell you. Do the research for yourself. If you do, you'll see that the "nutritional benefits" of Whole Wheat Bread aren't that far and above White Bread. Certainly something that a good Multi-Vitamin can fix. IN FACT, White Bread had fewer Calories and Carbohydrates than Whole Wheat Bread, therefore, if you're trying to lose weight, White Bread is the way to go.

The problem with most people and ALL FOODS, is moderation. Don't eat a whole loaf of Bread. A serving size of Bread is 1 SLICE. Not 4 (2 sandwiches). <--- That's the real problem. Just because White Bread has the "Nutrients" of Wheat Bread pulled out, doesn't mean you can't get those "Nutrients" elsewhere. Shoot, WATER has absolutely no nutritional value, yet is arguably THE HEALTHIEST things for people.
By mary on Feb 22, 2011:
i am old age 70 have eaten white bread almost all my life, and lots of it, i don't have any heart trouble, weigh a normal weight for my height, been trying to change to whole wheat because everyone says it's better for me, dont enjoy my bread as much any more I dont know if it's really worth the trouble
By Anonymous on Mar 21, 2011:
This article was helpful I guess,but people really have some interesting views when no one's listening.I have a doctors apt today,I'm on dialysis and have been told to eat white.But as far as taste, if some one has found a wheat bread that truly taste better than white please let me know the name.You people obviously just pick up and go most woman don't even know how to pick a good loaf so I'm sure you guys are lost...picking bread is an art form of such...Roman meal use to be the best,but now there's so many to choose from it's tiring.
By sandy on Mar 24, 2011:
what about aflatoxin in brown bread??
By Angel on Mar 29, 2011:
Wheat is also full of gluten. For those who have Celiac Disease, it's a killer. For those who don't know that they have it...those slight stomach pains, or indigestion, they should get checked. Just because it's "nutritionally healthier" doesn't mean it's good for you. For my family, I have to buy gluten free everything. WHEAT is in everything, and it will kill my son. Gluten is found and WHEAT, RYE and BARLEY...and MANY hidden sources. I think there's more important things in life than arguing over whether white or wheat is healthier...they BOTH have gluten in them...and LIFE is more important than arguing over preferences to food. Neither one is healthy, when you look at it from my viewpoint. They're both deadly, so we buy gluten free.
By Mark on Apr 04, 2011:
It's only unhealthy if you're one of those unlucky few who has Celiac disease.. in which case you have to be vigilant about all gliadin wheat foods. For the rest of us wheat is better, and certainly neither is deadly...
By Kayla on Apr 05, 2011:
What I discovered was that bread is not supposed to be white at all. A bleaching process was incorporated into bread making to give flour and the bread it makes a longer shelf life in the grocery store. During the process of bleaching most of the vitamin E antioxidant is lost, as well as the essential wheat germ and bran, which leaves only poor quality proteins and fattening starch. Wheat germ and bran is known to:

Lower cholesterol
Combat colon cancer
Prevent constipation
Help stop strokes
Protect against heart disease
Improve digestion
In addition, the flour is stripped of nutrients including 50% of all calcium, 70% of phosphorus, 80% iron, 98% magnesium, 75% manganese, and 50% potassium.

By Jay on Apr 15, 2011:
Wow!!! I agree that wheat bread is better for you and in general like it better, but some of you act like changing bread alone will add 10 years to a persons lifespan. Moderation is key and exercise wouldn't hurt either. And come on, why are some of you arguing about taste?
By sally on Apr 26, 2011:
this is really wierd!
By tomata on Apr 26, 2011:
i am still eating white bread
By Mark on Apr 27, 2011:
As long as you realise that your main bread shouuld be seeded, or granary or soya. But to change sometimes to white will do you no harm. Besides food is for our enjoymnent and not just health. However the later is second to none. So at the end of he day you choose what to eat. This is your life.
By Pink on May 03, 2011:
Tuna melt on multigrain bread. Deelish. I always knew that wheat was healthier but I didn't know how BAD white was. I grew up on white bread so I eat both depending on how healthy I feel like eating for the moment. Side note- I grew up in the hood and healthy eating is NOT taught well if at all in the schools, therefore it is not present in the homes. Yes the information is out there but if no one knows to LOOK FOR IT then the ignorance is no fault of their own. But now information is everywhere with the stroke of a key but it wasn't so back in the day...Back to the point, yes wheat is healthier and everyone should eat it more. But white bread every once in awhile will not negate all of the healthy lifestyle efforts that were practiced.
By Jake on May 09, 2011:
I like hole wheat
By Healthy Eater on May 19, 2011:
I feel so bad for those who will give up their health and long life for taste. That is the stupidest thing i have ever heard. I pity those who have absolutely no clue what they are doing to their bodies in the long run. But i also blame the american government for the uninformed that live there and believe what their government tells them. White bread is disgusting and like eating cotton balls and causes so much constipation. Not to mention you would think with obesity being so high in america that they would wake up and say hmm maybe the foods im eating really are not as good for me as they taste. Oh well ignorance is bliss i guess...how sad.
By Miguel on May 30, 2011:
Wheat bread is the best but the only way to make French toast is with white bread. That's the only exception.
By Jillian on Jun 14, 2011:
I had to try a few wheat breads before I found the one I liked. I liked IronKids bread, but I stopped eating it because it has HFCS. My bread of choice is now Nature's Own Honey 100% Whole Wheat Bread. That is delicious wheat bread. Please, however, do not try HEB bake shop 100% whole wheat if you are in Texas. Neither of them have corn syrup which is why I bought them, but the HEB brand had a longer ingredients list. I bought it on sale and regret it. It is disgusting and does not taste like food. It was a waste of my Laura Scudders PB & Concord Grape Jelly.
By Jillian on Jun 14, 2011:
I had to try a few wheat breads before I found the one I liked. I liked IronKids bread, but I stopped eating it because it has HFCS. My bread of choice is now Nature's Own Honey 100% Whole Wheat Bread. That is delicious wheat bread. Please, however, do not try HEB bake shop 100% whole wheat if you are in Texas. Neither of them have corn syrup which is why I bought them, but the HEB brand had a longer ingredients list. I bought it on sale and regret it. It is disgusting and does not taste like food. It was a waste of my Laura Scudders PB & Concord Grape Jelly.
By breadmaster34_4 on Jun 25, 2011:
whole grain wheat bread it alot better for you than white bread. But what about whole grain white bread? is that good for you at all?
By PaulLinMass on Jul 11, 2011:
I just switched over to Whole Wheat. I started with Freihofer's stone ground 100% whole wheat and love it! It's soft and it is yummy! I got it at Sam's Club. I never thought I'd like whole wheat, and I was right. I love it. Hoping it's going to help with my cholesterol and triglycerides.
By Jaime on Jul 25, 2011:
The amount of comments on this one article is amazing.

Just wanted to mention, for those with wheat allergies who cannot digest whole wheat bread, you need not resort to eating unhealthy white bread with unrefined sugars and preservatives. I know quite a few people with intollerance or allergy to wheat and they do well with rice bread. That's just if you are looking for a HEALTHY alternative.

If you really read and understand the ingredients on white bread, it's poison if eaten on a regular basis. Have half a PB&J on white bread for dessert or snack once in a while, but it's not good for you daily.
By Anonymous on Aug 08, 2011:
People! Don't judge someone on
Weather They eat white bread
Or wheat bread...smh.
See me I'm not suppose to eat
wheat because it. Stops the
fat burning process when
dieting according to my blood type "B
Positive"
Now the question is what type of
White bread should I eat?
Which on is more healthy
By Anonymous on Aug 27, 2011:
this all doesnt give me an answer
By phillip on Sep 19, 2011:
In my opinion,white bread is very discusting, but it is also very unhealthy for you.Wheat is better.
By Norma on Sep 20, 2011:
15 years ago I lost 35lbs within a course of a year simply by cutting out processed foods (such as white bread), refined sugars and red meat..I only eat whole wheat breads, very lil sugars and I have been able to maintain my weight between 5-8lbs of what I originally lost for 15 years now. There are weeks where I will fall off the wagon and start eating more sugar and whites (bread, rice and pasta), and I gain 5-6lbs withing a course of 2 weeks! Wheat bread is the way to go...I mean an occasional slice of white bread won't kill ya, but a lil of those foods in moderation will help you maintain your weight.
By FastFred on Sep 26, 2011:
http://video.foxnews.com/?playlist_id=86856#/v/1182313823001/can-a-whole-wheat-diet-make-you-fat/?playlist_id=87485
By Anonymous on Oct 05, 2011:
HMMMM INTERESTING
By kimmy on Oct 07, 2011:
I love the taste of wheat bread. It taste so much
better than white bread. I love the sweet taste in
the wheat bread. My husband is determine not to eat
wheat.
By Me on Oct 28, 2011:
I eat all kinds of bread. White, Whole Wheat, Whole Grain, Potato, etc. I see differences in the taste, and I guess the health, but whatever.. I eat whatever's in the bread-box and I don't care what kind it is. I have no health problems, and I don't know anyone who has health problems because of the bread they eat.
By Anonymous on Nov 07, 2011:
in my opinion less bread the better, maybe a bit of bread once in while but get your carbs from other sources such as fruits! ps skrew pasta, that shit will make you fat....no bread the better. Maybe some whole grain wraps and stuff once in a while..
By Dan on Nov 16, 2011:
Honestly, there are MUCH more significant changes to make to a standard American diet than changing changing from white to wheat bread.
By bread lover 1842b.c. on Nov 18, 2011:
i love bread. it gives me the energy i need to fight off my demons. my favorite is the kind will little pieces of candy fused into it
By bread burger on Nov 21, 2011:
bread is good but be carful. if you eat too much of in in one sitting, you might get sick
By lulucastagnette on Dec 04, 2011:
That is an interesting topic.. But something bothers me. I've just seen on French TV. They say that is it highly recommended to eat bread everyday whatever the type of bread (wheat or white). They even said that white or wheat bread is recommended for a balance diet. Actually, I am French and when I was in France, I used to eat "baguette" twice a day since I was young.. I never had weight trouble..!
By Scott on Dec 06, 2011:
As some commenters here have pointed out, some people have found their body, healthfully speaking, prefers and reacts better with quality yeasted simple(flour, water, yeast, salt) white flour bread, or at least mostly white flour. The reason is, is that the bran and germ also have prominent anti-nutrients such as phytates, and others, and if the flour is 'older' then it has rancid or overly oxidized oils, all of which the body / our bodies, in some cases, reacts unfavorably to, and can show that by some type of inflammatory response, such as pink blotches on the face, and other reactions, for example.

Quality yeasted simple white flour bread can be good for us if used as the starch in a well balanced omnivorous diet, which is how it has traditionally been used in healthy economies.

Cooked starch consumption in human evolutionary history predates our species.

The refinement of starches by humans to the essential inner component is a world wide standard from a variety of plant starch sources, whether from seed, root, or stem, and is something our ancestors apparently began doing well over a million years ago in our evolutionary path which has fundamentally made us the beings we are at a fundamental biological level.

So, if you find your body does better with white flour, you have an ancient history that supports that condition.

If your diet is not well balanced in the non-starch areas, then heavy reliance on non-fortified white flour can be problematic.

Again, balance is king, with the whole diet.
Is whole wheat more balanced for our health? Yes, if whole wheat is mostly all we have to eat or entirely, but,....otherwise not.
By Frank on Dec 08, 2011:
After all is said and done, I just like white bread more. Whole wheat just isn't fun. I joke about all my objections to whole wheat here: http://www.livingwithmywife.com/6-whole-wheat/
By To Tom on Dec 09, 2011:
There are more insects than people, Tom.
By daniel on Dec 15, 2011:
yep! from the above view everyone has liked white bread due to its taste.but i say wheat bread is great whenever i have it for breakfast i feel free and fresh.so,i would prefer wheat to white bread and everyone to use it and find their answers for questions related to obesity,nutrition.and everything else...

try it and you will feel the difference,daniel
By carol on Dec 31, 2011:
what is spelt ? where can i find it ? what kind of bread is it ?
By steven on Dec 31, 2011:
White bread (non-fresh) always tasted disgusting to me. I thought I just didn't like bread until I tried real 100% whole grain bread. I don't even need cheese or mayo on my sandwiches anymore because the bread is so flavorful.
By Honey on Jan 07, 2012:
I quitted eating wheat bread,pasta...............anything that contains flour,and I lost so far 11 Lbs.........I like that......I'll continue.......people I discovered that I don't like bread &
I can live with out it!
By Frank on Jan 07, 2012:
I'm glad I'm not the only one whose taste buds have changed. Just one and a half years ago, I ate nothing but Strohmann's white potato bread. Then I made the switch to the Martin's potato wheat variety because of its nutritional value. At first I felt like I was making a sacrifice, but not anymore. Just this past week, I purchased Martin's white potato bread because they ran out at the store. I couldn't believe I didn't like it anymore. It tastes bland and flavorless and taste like I have 2 slices of nothing on top of my P&J sandwiches. I can't believe I'm saying this because I am by no means one of those health nut types, but I CAN'T WAIT TO GO BACK TO MY WHEAT BREAD!
By Jason on Jan 17, 2012:
I don't mind the taste of whole grain breads. I'll eat it if it's the only choice, but I hate heavy breads. I only use bread for sandwiches, and the point of the sandwich to me is the stuff between the bread, not the bread itself. If the bread has a strong taste, or fills me up too fast, I simply won't eat it.
By annoyed on Jan 25, 2012:
I like the classists who think eating wheat bread makes them superior. If bread choice, outside of straight calories, screws up your diet, then you need a new diet!
By Person on Jan 28, 2012:
People who eat whole grain instead of white bread are, to cast no dispersions, are delusional. As said above me by Scott, perhaps the most intelligent and researched comment on here, whole grains have anti-nutrients, and historically humans have eaten white bread. And not to sound like a conspiracy theorist, but whole grain is really just a way for grain farmers to charge more.
Sorry to break it to you all but without carbohydrates, you would die. Yes, those things are actually very important. You know, for basic human celluar functions, kind of important. Sugar is also important, for those same reasons.
While whole grain is not akin to drinking mercury, white bread is definitely healthier. (For those who don't know, and from the comments that seems very possible, mercury is a very poisonous element)

While I wish not to linger on arguments against the people themselves, pretty much every other comment on here is someone's personal opinion, with absolutely no founding in facts, and absolutely no thought to grammatical rule. Honestly if you want to convince people of your psuedo-science, capitalization, correct grammar and spelling, and punctuation go very far.

By Moise on Jan 30, 2012:

Well whole wheat is all i been eating since i was a little boy.. And i dont really now how much better it is than eating white bread. But i hit the gym everyday and im trying to get lean. So my question is will eating 2 slices of whole wheat daily make me gain or impact my program to lose fat in body?

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