.
A massive majority of our daily calorie intake comes from food and drinks served within plastic containers.
A jarring turn of events has taken place, with experts now classifying bread - a cornerstone of the British diet - as an ultra-processed food, or UPF. This entails that it has undergone significant industrial processing, deviating substantially from its original raw ingredients, often incorporating additives such as preservatives, emulsifiers, and stabilisers - which are not typically available in ordinary supermarkets.
That isn't food. Van Tulleken defines UPF as "products wrapped in plastic that contain at least one additive you don't find in a domestic kitchen" - which, on the surface of it, includes our humble supermarket loaf.
Not every bread qualifies as UPF. A loaf comprising just flour, salt, and yeast is simply treated as a processed food, which isn't an issue in itself. Many of the pricey sourdoughs fall into this category.
The reality is, however, most of us don't want to pay the best part of a quid for our daily bread, nor can we afford it. So what does this mean for the rest of us, who've spent years buying brown bread, assuming it to be the healthy option?
Should we be cutting out the sliced loaf completely? By no means, says dietitian Clare Thornton-Wood of the British Dietetic Association. Although she accepts that freshly made food is preferable, ultimately, it's all about getting the balance right. "Bread is good for you," she says. "It's a source of fibre, calcium and B vitamins."
“Might be a good option if possible, but if not, how do you think one of those multigrain loaves from the supermarket stacks up - they're a baguette would be a good compromise, but what about a more normal loaf?” So how does your regular supermarket loaf measure up?
Bread Test: Britain's Supermarket Loaves Compared
1) Sainsbury's Soft Multiseed Farmhouse Wholemeal Bread
£1.20, 800g
There's a good spring to this and a nutty flavour, together with crunch from the seeds.
It contains palm oil, which is debatable but sustainable, and ascorbic acid (vitamin C). Otherwise, no undesirables, and a great 4.1g fibre per slice. There are plenty of seeds too – 14 per cent and four different kinds.
2) Tesco Wholemeal Bread
75p, 800g
Not much flavour, and a slightly gritty texture. The taste is almost nonexistent.
It contains a mix of mono- and diacetyl tartaric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids, also a preservative, calcium propionate, though not palm oil. Only 2.5g of fibre per slice.
3) Tesco Finest Wholemeal Seeds and Grains Flour
£1.30, 800g
Less bouncy than Sainsbury's Taste the Difference loaf at the same price, it also delivers a smaller slice. It tastes a bit wholesome – like eating bran.
Includes additives such as diglycerides of fatty acids and calcium propionate, which, at this price, I would hope to do without. Plus, there's only 2.8g of fibre per slice.
4) Kingsmill Tasty Wholemeal
£1.30, 800g
A pleasant aroma and a nice malty undertone to the flavour. I would like a bit more depth, but it’s got a very good balance.
This product contains an emulsifier and a preservative and provides only 2.5g of fibre per slice.
5) Hovis Tasty Wholemeal
£1.39, 800g
It's a bit of an unpleasant smell and the taste's not right either. Unfortunately, the quality's not great either.
This product contains preservatives and emulsifiers, with 2.7g of fibre, but I'd appreciate more fibre, especially since the flavour isn't impressive.
6) Sainsbury’s Medium Wholemeal
£75p, 800g
Absolutely delightful, old-fashioned flavour, with just a hint of caramel sweetness.
Contains mono- and diacetyl tartaric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids, sodium propionate, and calcium propionate, and
Palm oil – so definitely a Very Poor Fat (loaf).
7) Sainsbury’s Stamford Street Company Multigrain Flour (Wholemeal)
45p, 800g
Looking rather pale and somewhat dry in texture. Taste-wise, there's a hint of nuttiness, but not much else in terms of flavour.
Also includes mono and diacetyl tartaric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids, calcium propionate and palm oil. It's slightly lower in fat and protein than the standard Sainsbury's version.
8) Vogel’s Soya and Linseed Bread
£2.30, 800g
Actually, a white bread with seeds, it's got a pretty good texture and isn't dry to eat. The flavour's quite slightly seedy, to be honest, I'd prefer it if it was a bit stronger.
It's 21 per cent grains and seeds (wheat, soya, linseed) so quite a limited choice and 2.8g of fibre per slice. There's nothing alarming in the ingredients list.
9) Co-op Wholemeal Toastie
85p, 800g
Good bounce and a lovely deep brown colour, with a flavour that's sweet and malty.
Contains emulsifiers, palm fat and calcium propionate, but the fibre content is remarkably high at 3.5g per slice, although it flavours quite underwhelmingly.
10) Waitrose Organic Seeded Half Bloomer
£2.20, 400g
It is extremely bouncily textured with a very intense flavour - and it isn't overly tough or grainy.
Five types of seeds (19 per cent) and not a trace of any ingredients of any kind that might be considered a problem.
11) Waitrose Wholemeal Farmhouse
£1.45, 800g
A warm, golden-coloured coffee with a lively texture and a subtle, toasted flavour. Unsatisfactory
Contains emulsifiers, but no palm oil or preservative is used. Nevertheless, slightly lower in fibre content compared to most at 2.5g per slice.
There is no original text for me to paraphrase. If you provide the text, I will be happy to paraphrase it for you in the United Kingdom English language.
£1.75, 800g
That's a pleasant change of pace. It provides a decent spring in the move, though some might find it a shade too energetic for their taste, but personally I quite enjoy it.
This product contains five different types of seeds, which is a quite extensive range, and although it includes emulsifiers and palm fat, unfortunatey it does not contain any preservatives.
I don't see any text to paraphrase. Please provide the original text and I'll be happy to assist.
£1.60, 800g
It has a rather unsavory yet somewhat earthy flavour, and a slightly rough texture.
Ten types of seeds and grains making up 13 per cent of the ingredients are present. It contains palm oil and doesn't contain any preservatives. The emulsifier is rapeseed lecithin; however, whether that is better aren't entirely clear. On the positive side, it provides 3.75g of fibre per slice.
Recommended
A diet rich in whole grains like brown bread and whole wheat can provide you with fibre, iron and other nutrients your body needs.
Post a Comment
0Comments