Wheat bread vs white bread, which one is better? Among the various types of bread, white bread and whole wheat bread are two of the most popular types.
Whole wheat bread is believed to be healthier than regular bread, but is that true? Check out the differences between wheat bread vs white bread below!
Table of Contents
Difference Between Wheat Bread Vs White Bread
1. Composition
White bread is made from processed or enriched wheat flour, where only the endosperm of the wheat seed is used.
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This refining process removes most of the fiber and other nutrients, making white bread lighter and whiter in color.
In addition, this processing gives white bread a softer texture, but also reduces the content of essential vitamins and minerals present in whole wheat.
In contrast, whole grain bread is made from whole wheat flour which includes all parts of the wheat grain-endosperm, bran, and germ.
This makes whole grain bread darker and has a denser texture compared to white bread. The fiber and nutrient content in whole wheat bread is higher as all parts of the wheat are retained, which provides additional health benefits such as improving digestion and helping control blood sugar levels.
2. Calorie Level
In general, the calorie content of both types of bread is almost the same. One loaf (2 slices) of white bread has 154 kcal of calories.
Meanwhile, one slice of whole wheat bread has 180 kcal calories.
This value only applies when you only eat the bread itself, without the addition of margarine, butter and other toppings.
However, white bread can have a higher number of calories because it is often added with various toppings, such as jams.
It can be concluded that white bread is less caloric than other types of bread, but only if it is eaten without additional toppings.
3. Fiber Content
Whole wheat bread has a higher fiber content because it uses all parts of the wheat grain, including the bran and germ which are rich in fiber.
A slice of whole wheat bread (about 28 grams) can contain about 2 – 3 grams of fiber. Meanwhile, white bread made from processed or enriched wheat flour has a lower fiber content.
The refining process of wheat flour removes the bran and germ, reducing its fiber content. A slice of white bread (about 28 grams) usually contains only about 0.5 – 1 gram of fiber.
Also Read: “Whole Wheat Bread For Diet“
4. Other Nutritional Value
White bread contains fewer nutrients such as minerals and vitamins than whole wheat bread.
Whole wheat bread contains more vitamins (such as vitamins B and E), minerals (such as magnesium, zinc, and iron), and antioxidants because it is made from whole wheat grains.
Meanwhile, white bread contains fewer vitamins and minerals. Longer and repeated processing removes some of these nutrients.
However, some white breads are fortified with additional nutrients to replace those lost during the refining process.
5. Glycemic Index Value
Whole grain bread has a glycemic value of about 49 per 100 grams. White bread usually has a glycemic index value of up to 80.
The glycaemic index (GI) itself is a way of ranking carbohydrate-containing foods based on how slowly or quickly they are digested and increase blood glucose levels over a period of time – usually 2 hours.
Among all these types of bread, bread that has added flavors in it, such as chocolate bread, has the highest glycemic index value due to the added sugar.
However, sometimes the GI value does not really affect the digestive process of breaking down bread carbohydrates.
Research in the journal of Cell Metabolism states that the blood sugar response of people who consume white or whole grain bread is similar. However, this is also influenced by each person’s condition.
Overall, whole grain bread tends to be healthier than white bread due to its higher fiber content and other nutrients.
However, the choice between these two types of bread may depend on each individual’s taste preferences and dietary needs.
There you have it! The difference between Wheat Bread vs White Bread!
But did you know that wheat, especially in the form of flour, is in the mandatory list of things that needs to be certified before being sold and distributed in Indonesia?
The certification itself is called the SNI Certification, that regulates most if not all of the products and or services that are sold, distributed or provided in Indonesia.
This certification aims to give peace of mind to the Indonesian customers, knowing that the product that they bought has already been tested for its quality and safety.
And, for the regulation that regulates the wheat flour, it is clearly stated in SNI 375:2009.
