Bread is a food item regularly consumed in Indian households by people of all ages. Since many of us break our overnight fast with bread and even pack it in our kids' tiffin, it is because we think it is a 'healthy' food item. Further, while purchasing packaged bread for our daily consumption, many people opt for the 'brown' bread, since it is seemingly healthier than the 'white' bread.
According to popular notions, the 'brown' bread is made using whole wheat or 'atta', while the 'white' bread is made using refined flour or 'maida'. However, this belief of ours is not true in all cases.
A viral video is circulating on social media while documenting how commercial brown breads are produced. To the shock of the viewers, it shows that 'caramel color' is added to refined flour to achieve that brown color.
Dietitian Shikha Kumari shared the viral video on her Instagram handle and wrote, "Commercial brown bread products may not be as wholesome as they claim."
She added that if you want to consume "genuinely healthy whole wheat bread", you should:
1. Bake Your Own Bread: Making your own whole wheat bread at home allows you to have complete control over the ingredients. You can use 100% whole wheat flour and avoid additives like caramel color. There are many simple and healthy whole wheat bread recipes available online.
2. Read Labels Carefully: When buying bread from the store, read the ingredient list carefully. Look for products that list whole wheat flour as the first ingredient and don’t contain excessive additives, preservatives, or artificial colors.
3. Choose Local Bakeries: Local bakeries often offer bread that’s made with a focus on quality and may have healthier options. Ask about their ingredients and baking process.
4. Explore Other Grains: In addition to whole wheat, you can explore bread made from other whole grains like oats, quinoa, or millet. These options can provide variety and additional nutrients.
In a previous Twitter post, Food Pharma aka Revant Himatsingka, also explained how most of the brown, multigrain, wholewheat breads sold in India "pretend to be healthy when they are not!"
"Brown bread in India is also not healthy," Himatsingka said in his video, adding, "They are brown because of a caramel colour 150A. This caramel colour is similar to the colour in Coca Cola and Bournvita."
If you consume bread on a regular basis, it is important to check the list of ingredients first before making a conscious purchase. Focus on what the ingredients say instead of the attractive front packaging.
Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India. Spread love this holiday season with these Christmas wishes, messages, and quotes.