Is Multigrain Bread Good For Diabetics?

Is Multigrain Bread Good For Diabetics?

Is multigrain bread good for diabetics

Bread has been satisfying our hunger-pangs since ages. There is a reason why bread is loved so much all across the world – they are easily available, can make delicious recipes, and are inexpensive. They satisfy all types of hunger needs – whether that of a heavy diet or a light snack. Another reason for their popularity is the wide range which is available to choose from. So be it white bread, whole wheat bread, Focaccia, Multi-Grain or Pita bread, there are a plethora of options according to our needs.

However, few people are aware that bread is a high source of carbs, and hence, health-freaks may doubt the advantages of bread. Also, since bread are high in saturated fat and sugar content, a lot of people who are suffering from type 1 and type 2 diabetes often raise this question – Are bread in general and Multigrain bread in particular, good for diabetics? We will address this question in detail in this article.


What is Multi-Grain Bread?

We all know that we need to eat less saturated fat, salt and sugar and at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day to keep our body and heart healthy. This statement holds particularly true for diabetics. Multi-grain bread is a bread which is prepared using two or more types of grains. These grains can be any out of - barley, flax, millet, oats, wheat, and whole-wheat flour. Thus, it combines the goodness of different grains.


It is proven that Multi-grain bread contains more vitamins and minerals than the regular white bread, along with a high dietary fiber content which may go up as high as 4 times the white bread. A distinction needs to be made between Multi-grain and Whole-grain. Whole-grain bread contains all the parts of the grain – the endosperm, bran, and germ, whereas Multi-grain bread may not have all these. However, Multi-grain bread is made of different type of grains fused together in the flour. When choosing between Whole-grain and Multi-grain, the latter is a better choice as it provides nutrition covering a broader spectrum of vitamins and minerals. Also, Whole-wheat bread is good for diabetics.


Is Multi-Grain Bread Good for Diabetics?

We know the feeling you experience when diagnosed with diabetes. Your pancreas is just not doing its job properly! Diabetes also means you need to cut down on your daily intake of unsaturated fats and sugars. While making certain tweaks to your daily food habits, we suggest you add Multi-Grain bread to your diet as they have been proven to be good for diabetics. Nevertheless, we do not want you to conduct experiments without an expert’s advice and suggest that you choose the right diabetes treatment doctor.


So, if you are visiting your physician regularly, you might recall that he suggested you eat foods that are high in fiber content. Why fiber you may ask? High fiber foods help in digestion of carbohydrates and reduce their absorption rate into the bloodstream, thus avoiding any spikes in blood sugar levels. Also, vegetable fiber boosts your digestive health because it is responsible for planting some good bacteria in your gut. So, which bread to choose which will help you boost your fiber intake? You guessed it right.

Although Whole-wheat bread is considered good for diabetics, there are some people who want to avoid wheat all-together. Multi-grain bread is the perfect option for them. Multi-grain bread is still a whole grain bread, the only difference being that it is made from a variety of grains. It becomes loaded in fiber, and protein when seeds like – Flaxseed, Chia seed, Wheat Bran, Oats, Almond flour and Soy flour are added in the mixture.


It is a fact that our body requires carbohydrates to remain healthy. Why? Because they contain all the nutrients needed for healthy maintenance and growth. However, they have a downside, they raise blood sugar levels, which we know is a big problem for people with diabetes. Often, the sugars present in white bread and refined grains are responsible for raising blood sugar levels quickly. Multi-Grain bread, which is baked by mixing different seeds and grains together, make them a high-fiber and low carb diet.


Best Bread for Diabetics to Eat

When it comes to choosing the best bread for diabetics to eat, there are a variety of options. People can also bake their own bread by choosing any diabetic bread recipe. We are listing a few of the best choices in bread that diabetics can have without worrying about raising their blood sugar levels.


Before buying any type of bread for diabetics, ensure that the bread contains:

  • 150 or fewer calories
  • 30 grams or less of carbohydrates
  • 3 grams of aggregate fat
  • 1.5 grams or less of saturated fat
  • 0 grams of Trans fat
  • 300 mg or less of sodium
  • 2 grams or more of fiber

Here is the best bread for diabetics to eat:

  1. Whole Grain White Bread
  2. Whole Wheat Tortilla
  3. Oatmeal Bread
  4. Whole Wheat Sandwich Thins
  5. Muffins Original made with Whole Grain
  6. Whole Wheat Hamburger Buns
  7. Whole Wheat bread
  8. Low Carb Pita Bread
  9. Sprouted Grains Bread
  10. Sprouted Wheat Multi-Grain Bread
  11. Low Carb Tortillas

Bake your Own Bread!

Apart from the options given above, there are some people who love to bake their own bread and we suggest you also give bread baking a try. There are many diabetic bread recipes available. One of the key point to make a diabetic friendly bread is reducing the wheat flour and substituting it with seeds like Flaxseed, Chia seed, Wheat Bran, Oats, Almond flour and Soy flour to improve the fiber content.


Conclusion

There you have it. We have discussed in detail how high fiber and low carb diet can be a boon for people who are suffering from type 1 or type 2 diabetes. However, if you are still asking the question that Is Multi-Grain Bread Good for Diabetics, we would like to nod in the affirmative and say, Yes! Multi-Grain Bread is one of the best choices of bread for diabetics.

Author:

Maanasi Radhakrishnan

A mother of an untiring seven year old, Maanasi enjoys nurturing her love affair with English. She is often found nestled with a book, plopped against a dozen pillows, smiling away at the brink of finishing yet another book of the many dozens, that adorn the shelves of her Mini Library!

Maanasi specializes in health topics including diet and nutrition.