When talking about types of bread, terms such as white, whole grain, or multigrain are usually heard. However, the last two tend to confuse since we can, for example, think that multigrain bread is a healthier option since its name implies that it is made from many grains.
However, multigrain bread is not necessarily whole grain bread. Unless the packaging specifies that it is 100% whole wheat or 100% whole grain, your main ingredient may be white flour. Therefore, we must know the differences between whole grain and multigrain loaves of bread.
The difference between multigrain and whole-grain products
We will first define the term multigrain, which means more than one grain used to make the product. So if a package of bread or crackers says it is multigrain, it may simply mean that it is made with whole wheat flour and a little barley flour, for example.
Now let’s talk about the term whole grain or whole grain. As the name indicates, in the elaboration of these products, the whole grain has been used: the bran, the germ, and the endosperm. The latter is the healthy tissue formed in the sack of seed plants.
What is the healthiest?
Knowing the differences between multigrain and whole-grain products, it is essential to understand why nutritionists recommend giving greater importance to whole-grain products. If it were the case that we like multigrain, then we must look for those that let us consume. It is because they are also whole grain.
It is also important to clarify that whole wheat flour is not the same as whole grain flour. The difference is whether the grains have been refined or left whole. Refined grains lose up to 78% of their fiber, vitamins, and minerals during milling.
It is always essential to read the list of ingredients and the nutritional label to avoid confusion and ensure the quality of the product we are buying. It is necessary to look for that in those products that have a 100% whole grain label, the first ingredient on their list is effectively whole grains, since there are products on the market that, although they claim to be whole, whole grains appear as the last item on their list.
Thus, if we seek to incorporate more grains into our diet, when reviewing the list of ingredients, not only do we have to find that there are whole grains, but that they are at the beginning of the list because we must remember that they are listed according to the percentage used In the preparation.
On the other hand, today, many products are one step ahead of their competition, indicating how many grams of whole grains are in them. In addition, it is essential to take care of the portions of these products, not forgetting that an adult should consume at least 3 servings of 28 grams of whole grains a day as part of a balanced diet.
