Whole Grain 100
Email: wholegrain100@proton.me
  • Welcome
  • Price Sheet
  • Store & Classes
  • Baking Education
  • Recipes
  • Grain Education
  • Health & Nutrition

Whole Grain White Bread

2/13/2015

1 Comment

 
Picture
I saw this article in King Arthur's newsletter and thought it was interesting, because most folks don't know the difference between Hard White and Hard Red wheat. American consumers are again being misled on what they are really buying, advertisers are now promoting "Whole Grain White Bread". Now you would think this is a good thing it's bread made with Hard White wheat using the whole berry, logically that would make sense but beware read the label.

The Wonder Bread's, "Smartwhite" website proudly describes this as white bread “with all the fiber of 100% whole wheat." What you will not see on the product label, however, is any trace of whole wheat flour. In fact on the label the first couple of ingredients are; "water, wheat flour, cottonseed fiber, wheat gluten, corn syrup high fructose or sugar, yeast", and 32 other ingredients. What they are adding to achieve the fiber in the bread is cottonseed fiber, which is softer than wheat bran and does not deliver the same nutrients. To compensate for the lack of nutrition, vitamins and minerals have to be added back in. There are 40 ingredients total on the label for a loaf of bread, and people wonder why we have a problem digesting wheat, it's not the wheat it's what we do to it and the additives we add.

There are other products of similar supposedly "whole grain white breads"
, made by Wonder and Franz,  that actually contain some whole wheat flour. The problem is  when you look closely, you will find that the first ingredient is still “enriched wheat flour,” which is white processed flour (bran and germ removed) plus added vitamins and minerals. You will find whole wheat flour third on the list after water. These first three ingredients are followed by some 40-plus other ingredients that are added in order to simulate the texture and taste of white bread.

If you're family is just not thrilled with whole grain bread there are options that are kid approved. In order to make bread you need a high gluten flour and there are two of them Hard Red and Hard White. Now hard white has the same nutritional value, same gluten structure the only difference is it's lighter in color and has a milder taste. It' not only the ingredients in the bread that give it the texture it's also the method of making the bread.

I make a bread out of 100% whole grain hard white flour that is light and fluffy, has a perfect soft texture that your child or picky eater in your family will love, I call it Wonder Grain.
If you stop by my booth at the Farmer's Market you can get a sample to taste for yourself.
White whole wheat bread is not widely available commercially, but you can make your own by starting with white whole grain flour it's easy to make and I do offer bread making classes.

1 Comment

Sulfides in Dried Fruit

2/13/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
Dried Apricots
Picture
Dried Figs
Sulfur dioxide is a food preservative that is in a number of edibles, including dried fruits such as raisins, dried apricots and prunes. Sulfur dioxide is one type of sulfite. Sulfates are inorganic salts that have antioxidant and preservative properties. Unsulfered fruit is darker in color since it has no sulfites to protect the color while drying. The taste and texture is totally different. It does not have the chemical taste or the sharp after taste. Sulfites have been used as a food additive since 1664 and have been approved for use in the United States for more than a century. Even a small amount of sulfite can wreak health havoc if you're sensitive to it. If you have asthma, or a sulfite allergy, eating dried fruits might cause serious health problems, including breathing problems, life-threatening allergy-like symptoms or, in rare cases, death.

Benefits Of Organic Dried Apricots

Good choice if your Diabetic or watching your weight
We watch our weight so that means we choose our calories wisely. Apricots are one of the best fruits you can eat if you are watching your glycemic index.
Dried apricots have an average glycemic index of 31. I have tried growing them in this area and we have to many temperature variations in the spring. As soon as the blooms come on it freezes, so I have given up getting fruit. Fresh apricots are expensive so our next best option is dried apricots, they store for a long time and do not need any refrigeration.

Eye Health

Nutrients in apricots can help protect eyes, they are an excellent source of vitamin A. Researchers who studied over 50,000 registered nurses found the women who had the highest vitamin A intake reduced their risk of developing cataracts by nearly 40%.

Build Strong Bones

Apricots provide a significant source of potassium. Potassium is a mineral and electrolyte that helps you maintain proper fluid balance, aids in muscle function, and helps regulate heartbeat. Potassium also promotes healthy digestion and strong bones. Getting sufficient amounts of potassium each day can help you maintain normal blood pressure and might reduce your risk of having a stroke.

Benefits Of Organic Dried Figs

Figs have been around for centuries, probably originating in Egypt. Most folks have never had a dried fig except in a Fig Newton cookie as a child. Figs have some great health benefits that make them worth adding to your diet.

Build Strong Bones

They contain the essential bone building trio of magnesium, calcium, and vitamin K2. Without magnesium, calcium is not absorbed by the body, and without K2, calcium leaches into the blood and out of your bones causing calcification of the inner linings of the blood vessels.

Heart Health

In addition to minimizing calcium deposits in your blood vessels, the magnesium and potassium in figs are essential for maintaining  a  healthy heart and keeping blood pressure in line. Figs help lower serum triglyceride levels which are markers for predicting heart health issues better then cholesterol readings.

High in Fiber

Figs are high in both soluble and insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber helps slow digestion and make you feel fuller. It also helps stabilize and lower blood sugar levels. Insoluble fiber provides the bulk needed to help cleanse the large intestine and eliminate waste, reducing constipation. Both types of fiber combine as useful tools for weight management.

Eye Health

Dried figs are at the top of the dried fruit list for phenol antioxidant levels. Fruit antioxidants have demonstrated higher eye health benefits than vegetable antioxidants, including carrots, even offering protection against age related macular degeneration (ARMD), the leading cause of blindness.

Figs are alkaline

Figs are alkaline producing, helping the body achieve and maintain that optimum 7.0-7.4 pH reading to lead a disease-free healthy life.

High in Iron

Figs are very high in iron, the mineral that helps create red blood cells and prevent anemia. Pregnant women are encouraged to keep their red blood cell levels high. So ditch the pickles and chocolates and snack on dried figs if you're expecting.

Sources
Natural News; Seven amazing reasons to eat more figs Thursday, July 25, 2013 by: PF Louis
whfoods.com
0 Comments

    Health &
    Nutrition

    Chemicals & Ingredients

    Archives

    December 2017
    September 2016
    August 2016
    June 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    February 2015

    Categories

    All
    Additives
    Broths
    Butter
    Chemicals
    Gels & Starches
    Oils
    Protein
    Salts
    Sugars
    Teas

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.