Toast

Myrna Trauntvein wrote:

One of the first snacks suggested by Snack-Girl was toast. It is simple, versatile, and if you choose right, a healthy choice.

How do you find healthy bread? The rules for finding healthy bread are almost the same as cereal.

1. Is the first ingredient WHOLE grain? If it isn't then put it back on the shelf. Do not be fooled by the ingredient "wheat flour". The whole grain means that most of the nutrients remain from the grain remain in the bread. Without it, you might as well eat Wonder Bread (which is wonderful but not nutritious).

2. Does it have at least 3 grams of fiber per serving? Eating foods that are high in fiber will help keep you feeling fuller for longer. Bread is an excellent source of fiber if it is made with whole grains.

Here are two brands of bread that Lisa (aka Snack Girl) found that passed the test: "The Arnold bread was in the bread aisle and cost me $2.99 for the loaf. It was on sale from $3.99."

"The Alvarado Street Bakery bread was in the 'Natural Foods' section and cost me $2.89 because I had a coupon. (I LOVE coupons!!) The Alvarado bread usually costs $3.49 a loaf. It is a sprouted bread which is fantastic from a nutritional perspective."

Myrna wrote: I looked and our usual stores and they do not carry Arnold. Is that a regional brand or where could I find it? 

I have been buying Aspen, Utah made, that is whole grain whole wheat. It is a low-glycemic bread that is high in fiber and has just a little honey. I don't know where to look for some things. They have a neat grocery store, called Sprouts, on the Orem hill that even has facilities for grinding your own almond butter. It seems like a good spot to buy foods that fit my new diet. I didn't check there last week for bread because I bought the Aspen brand at Costco. They have it at Sams, the health food store (for a buck more) and at WalMart. 

Oh, oh. The Aspen bread I bought I am not supposed to eat. The sugar grams are high. Now my quest for Arnold is really on. I am trying to find a bread without added sugar. Yes, I have learned, they do exist.


Melanie wrote: I am a bread bigot. I only buy the Arnold bread. I also have tried a few of the other whole grain breads, and Arnold's holds up better for sack lunches.

We used to buy Arnold bread in Massachusetts, so I thought they were a chain. They are marketed by orowheat. Sprouts is good, but can be expensive. Be careful. Sometimes you can find the same kinds of foods for better prices, in the area stores. I buy almond butter in the organic section of Kroger, it is cheaper than Sprouts. 

Good luck. 
Mel

Myrna wrote:

I cannot get it here nor at WalMart. I tried Albertson's and Macey's but I did not try Smith's. Is Kroger the same as Smith? 

Melanie: Yes