Once there was white bread, which was nicer, and brown, which was better for you.
Now
most supermarkets stock 40 or more types, many claiming to help you
lose weight or even make you brainier. But how healthy are they really?
Foodie Alex Renton and leading nutritionists Professor David Colquhoun and Catherine Collins give their verdicts...
Vogel's Soya and Linseed
£1.50 for 800g
The fibre content is average for healthy bread but it contains three times as much sugar
Claims: 'Rammed
full of stuff that's really good for you, our dough has a unique
consistency that allows it to rise even though it's full of seeds. And
we only use slow-acting yeast, no artificial raising agents or other
unnatural enhancements like enzymes or emulsifiers.'
REALITY:
'It's not nearly as different nutritionally from white bread as the
adverts claim,' says Professor Colquhoun. The protein and fat content is
higher than usual, because of the seeds. The fibre content is average
for healthy bread but it contains three times as much sugar as other
health brands.
Taste test: Strangely limp and damp. Pleasant nutty additions; better toasted. 6/10
HEALTH BENEFITS: 5/10
Now most supermarkets stock 40 or more types of bread, many claiming to help you lose weight
Schneider Organic Multi-Grain
£1.35 for 500g
Claims: 'Wheat-free healthy living. No preservatives, high in fibre, low in fat.'
REALITY: Very
high in fibre - three times as much as white bread. Average fat content
and high in salt. Suitable for wheat-sensitive people. 'But this gives
you a quarter of your daily salt allowance in just one-and-a-half
slices,' says Catherine Collins.
Taste test: Disgusting - like gone-off yoghurt.1/10
HEALTH BENEFITS: 6/10
Schneider: Very high in fibre - three times as
much as white bread. Average fat content and high in salt (l) and Weight
Watchers: Three times as expensive but no more healthy than ordinary
supermarket white
Weight Watchers White Danish Sliced
£0.93 for 400g
Claims:
'Low fat. Only 45 calories a slice. We're constantly reviewing the fat,
sugar and salt levels in all our Weight Watchers foods.'
REALITY:
More fattening than all but one in our survey, white or brown. Three
times as expensive but no more healthy than ordinary supermarket white.
In fact, it has slightly more saturated fat (the bad kind) than
own-brand white and is quite high in salt and sugar. Professor Colquhoun
says 'I can't believe this!' In defence, Weight Watchers say they are
not in control of the price of their licensed products. The boast of '45
calories a slice' is misleading, as slices are half-size. Calories by
weight are 243 per 100 grams. Shocking.
Taste test: Airy, sweet, no flavour. 1/10
HEALTH BENEFITS: 0/10
Hovis Nimble Wholemeal
£0.75 for 400g
Claims: 'Rich in whole grain goodness, high in fibre, low in fat, no artificial preservatives.'
REALITY:
Has more saturated fats per 100g than Vogel and twice as much as
ordinary sliced white bread. The '51 calories per slice' on the packet
is meaningless because slices are tiny. The bread's real calorific value
(by weight) is the same as or higher than other wholemeals (233 kcals
per 100g). The amount of fibre is average for wholemeal. Contains E-
number additives.
Taste test: Dry, sticky. 2/10
HEALTH BENEFITS: 4/10
The Food Doctor Multi Seed and Cereal Loaf
£2.78 for 800g
Claims: Helps people eat 'little and often'. 'Fibre-rich. Good source of Omega 6 and protein'.
REALITY:
Protein level of 8.5g per 100g is hardly more than basic white bread
and much less than some other healthy loaves. Fibre levels less than
some wholemeals.
'Omega 6
is important but most people get enough of it in their diet anyway,'
says Professor Colquhoun. Catherine Collins says: 'This bread is
genuinely rich in essential fats, however, the whole seeds may make it
difficult for our body to extract these.'
Taste test: Like cardboard. Desperately in need of salt. 1/10
HEALTH BENEFITS: 4/10
Burgen Buckwheat and Poppyseed
£1.40 for 800g
Claims:
'Fortified with vitamin D. Two slices provide 30 per cent of your
calcium and vitamin D recommended daily allowance (RDA), which are
needed for the maintenance of normal bones'.
REALITY: 'Added
vitamin D is irrelevant in this format,' says Catherine Collins, 'but
the extra calcium could be useful to those on a milk-free diet. Contains
chemical emulsifiers and preservatives.'
Taste test: Surprisingly nice. 7/10
HEALTH BENEFITS: 6/10
Crosta and Mollica Tuscan bread (for toasting)
£1.69 for 250g
Claims: This Italian bread is salt-free.
Reality: Useful
for heart patients and others on a no-salt diet. Catherine Collins
says: 'Salt is an essential ingredient in bread. It strengthens wheat
gluten and regulates yeast activity, so cutting it out of the
ingredients completely means less palatable bread.'
Taste: You'd have to be terrified of salt to attempt to eat this. The dog ate it but the children all refused. 0/10
Health benefits: 5/10
Village Bakery organic rye with coriander
400g for £1.59
Claims: 'Made
without wheat. Organic. No added baker's yeast. Eating rye bread helps
to increase feelings of fullness. Can reduce symptoms associated with
wheat intolerance, such as wind, discomfort and bloating.
Reality:
Good for people allergic to wheat but it won't have less gluten.
Research indicates that rye bread can maintain the feeling of fullness
in normal-to-slightly overweight people. Can it really stop wind and
bloating, though? Catherine Collins says that in people with sluggish or
sensitive bowels, rye will cause those symptoms just like wheat. Also
high in sugar at 3.1g per 100g.
Taste: Strangely delicious. 7/10
Health benefits: 8/10
Cranks Wholemeal
£1.12 for 800g unsliced
Claims: 'This is proper organic bread. We allow the dough to rise slowly over several hours, rather than using additives.
Reality: This is an impressive and inexpensive bread that is low in sugar and fats and very high in fibre.
