White Vs Brown Bread: Which Is Healthier For You?

It won’t be wrong to say that bread is the staple breakfast in the world. No matter where and what you are doing, bread is always the easiest, quickest, and favourite breakfast choice for everyone. But there has always been confusion about whether to pick white or brown bread whenever you are asked to get bread from the grocery shop. To clear all the doubts, we bring a sorted comparison – white vs brown bread. To explain which bread is healthier, you must first understand the difference between white and brown bread. So, let’s start!

White Bread

White bread is most commonly consumed throughout the world, including India. It is beloved for its soft texture and versatility. Made of refined wheat flour that has been processed to remove the bran and germ, white bread tastes good. However, preparing white bread is a lengthy procedure that takes around 12 hours. 

When talking about white vs brown bread, the preparation of white bread begins with mixing flour, water, salt, yeast and sometimes sugar. The dough is vigorously kneaded to develop a gluten, which gives the bread its structure and texture. Once the dough is ready, it is left to ferment and produce carbon dioxide. After the dough is completely fermented and becomes airy, it is punched down to remove the extra air. Now, the dough is rolled into loaves and rolls and put into the oven to bake. 

Once out, it is cut into pieces and packed. The white bread is now ready to consume in various forms, such as sandwiches, bread and butter or peanut butter, toast, and as an accompaniment to various dishes. While white bread is always criticised for its low nutritional value, its popularity is high due to its comforting taste and smooth texture. Therefore, discussing white vs brown bread is necessary for clarity. 

Brown Bread

Brown Bread, often known as whole wheat or wholemeal bread, is renowned for its nutty flavour and higher nutrition value than white bread. It is made of whole wheat flour that retains gram and germ, which is rich in fibre, vitamins and minerals. This whole wheat gives the bread a dense texture and darker colour. However, the preparation process for brown bread is similar to that of white bread; it starts with mixing whole wheat flour, yeast, water, and salt. Sometimes, honey is added for sweetness and flavour. The rest of the baking, cutting, and packing process is the same as white bread.  One difference between white and brown bread is the type of flour that sets them apart. 

When discussing white vs brown bread, it is clear that brown bread has more nutritional value than white bread as it is rich in fibre. Consuming average fibre in a day aids digestion and helps regulate blood sugar levels. 

White vs Brown Bread? Make Your Choice

As explained above, the only difference between white and brown bread is the use of flour. White bread is made of refined flour, and brown bread is prepared with whole wheat flour. Brown bread is healthier and tastier than white bread as there is more fibre content and flavour. If you seek an answer to the question of whether brown bread is better than white bread, then yes, it is, but it does not mean that white bread is unhealthy. Brown bread or white bread are both great breakfast choices for everyone. It is quick and easy to prepare in different ways and serves a healthy breakfast. Choosing a healthy and light breakfast can help you start your active and end up energetic.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much fibre per day is recommended for a woman?

The quantity of fibre consumed per day by women depends on individuals and their age. An average woman aged 19-50 should consume 25 gm of fibre a day. 

What fibre-rich fruits should you add to your diet?

Some fibre-rich fruits are pears, strawberries, apples, raspberries, and bananas. One fruit in a day can help you maintain fibre quantity in your body. 

How to increase fibre in diet?

Consume fibre-rich foods, such as barley, wheat, oats, brown rice, avocado, dried fruits, and nuts. Mindfully adding all these items to your diet can increase your fibre intake. 

What are the healthy bread breakfast ideas?

Vegetable sandwiches, bread omelettes, bread & butter and garlic cheese toast are a few healthy bread breakfast ideas that are easy and quick to prepare. 

Is it good to eat bread in the evening?

Bread has sugar and is rich in fibre (if it is brown bread), which will pump you up with energy. So eating bread as an evening snack with tea is good to boost your energy level. It will also satisfy your evening hunger.