Why Today's Bread Isn't Your Grandma's Loaf

#ovviawellness bread healthy bread healthy eating healthy food nutrition transformation Nov 03, 2023

The Bread Transformation

Have you ever wondered why bread doesn't seem to age like it used to? You're not alone. In the last few decades, bread, a staple in many diets, has changed drastically. From the grain it's made from to its shelf life, today's bread is a far cry from what our grandparents consumed.

Speedy Baking

The bread-making process used to take several days, and now it has advanced to the point where it now only takes two hours. This rapid advancement impacts not only the taste but also the nutritional content.

Preservation Tricks

Unlike freshly baked loaves that go stale in days, the bread you buy from the supermarket could last weeks. How? One word: sugar. Using sugar as a preservative keeps bread moist and extends its shelf life; however, this sugar-packed preservation method can have long-term health implications.

Sugar Coated

Supermarket breads are often loaded with added sugar, contributing to a longer shelf life and adversely affecting your overall health. The sweeter the bread, the longer it will last, and the greater the risk to your well-being.

Deceptive Whole Grains

The term 'whole grain' is widely misused. In reality, modern manufacturing processes often remove the bran and germ from the grain to extend the bread's shelf life, stripping it of essential nutrients in the process. As a result, the whole grain isn't intact, and you're not getting the full benefits you think you are.

Soil and Chemicals

The soil used to grow grains is not what it used to be. Due to harmful fertilizers and pesticides like arsenic and DDT, today's soil lacks the nutrients that once made grains wholesome.

Health Impact

Bread may be a staple in the American diet, but the changes in its production could impact your health in ways you haven't considered. Unfortunately, these changes in bread can cause harm beyond your waistline. They can have severe implications for your gut health, contributing to the rise in modern-day health issues like obesity, diabetes, and even some allergies.

Better Bread Choices

Before you pick up your next loaf, consider upgrading to our $5 Paid Subscription for exclusive content that can guide you toward a healthier lifestyle. To see the healthy bread I buy and recommend, see the photo and link in this blog post, "How to Lower Blood Sugar with Healthy Slow-Carbs."