The truth behind 'whole grain white bread'

[isilzha]

The truth behind 'whole grain white bread'

Sara Lee promises "white bread taste with whole grain nutrition." But the truth is, you can't have it both ways. Sara Lee's "Whole Grain White Bread" exemplifies the type of food product consumers should avoid, says writer Michael Pollan, because it contains ingredients that are A) unfamiliar B) unpronounceable C) more than five in number or that D) include high fructose corn syrup. They're not necessarily harmful characteristics, but they do indicate the food has been so heavily processed that it has '"rossed from a food to a food product,'" Pollan wrote in "In Defense of Food." "Sorry Sara Lee, but your 'Soft & Smooth Whole Grain White Bread' is not food and if not for the indulgence of the Food and Drug Administration could not even be labeled "bread" he wrote. But at least the labels will be a little more accurate than they've been in the past. As part of a settlement agreement the company reached yesterday with the Center for Science in the Public Interest, labels will be changed to say the product is 30 percent whole grain. Previously, the bread's labeling suggested that it had as much fiber as 100 percent whole wheat bread, said the CSPI. Sara Lee will also add copy to the label stating that two slices have 10 grams of whole grains, and that the USDA recommends consumption of 48 grams daily.

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[ibcheft]

Well what next, pringles are not potato chips, whole grain white bread is not bread, maize is not really corn but something completely different ?

[Food Network Fan]

I heard a long time ago that wonder bread has a byproduct from making paper in it. I can't say if it's true, but I have never been a fan of any bread you can ball up in your fist and it makes a doughy glob.

[bakerman]

I find it sad when people are trying to eat better and are mislead by labels. There is no doubt that whole grains are great for you, but many products tout having whole grain and they really have very little.

I have taken the time to educate myself and can see through this stuff, but many think that they are doing themselves and their families a favor buying junk food that says whole grain on the label. Two things that I won't bring in to the house are items with High Fructose Corn Syrup, and Hydrogenated fats (trans fats).

MAC

[BerryBaby]

It all goes back to knowing how to read a label. The information is quite clear, we just need to read it.

[ibcheft]

It is sad to know that trusting a well known producer that, the printed truth is not as real as it seems. It use to be the only person you would really doubted was the used car salesman, now days you have to read the fine print to get the truth, seems corporate has found that misleading advertising pays off. were is the truth in advertising, I think it left with the good ole days, when a hand shake was as good as a written contract.

[isilzha]

I'd really like to get a breadmaker and make some of my own bread. I just don't know if I'd use it enough to make it worthwhile.

[bakerman]

Originally Posted by BerryBaby

It all goes back to knowing how to read a label. The information is quite clear, we just need to read it.

I agree, but as long as manufacturers are held to task with labeling. Unfortunately so many rely on package claims to make their decisions and would have no idea of what to look for in the ingredient label or nutri-facts, I do think times are changing shows like Oprah that have guests like Dr. Oz that help decipher these labels.

My employer is now using a new simple program called "Guiding Stars" those items with guiding stars have to meet certain criteria.

More:
Vitamins
Minerals
Whole grains
Dietary fiber

Less:
Saturated fat
trans fat
cholesterol
added sodium
added sugar

Each item that falls into this program gets 1 to 3 stars, the more stars the healthier more wholesome the product. This program excites me, hopefully it will help many people make better choices. It really helps with the confusing labels, actually many items that manufacturers claim as "healthy" don't even fit into this program because they fail in one or more categories required to be in this program.

Guiding Stars - Nutritious shopping made simple

MAC

[Chefnot]

Originally Posted by isilzha

I'd really like to get a breadmaker and make some of my own bread. I just don't know if I'd use it enough to make it worthwhile.

Go get it! It's easy, even I have learned how to make all types of breads. Though I did let two Italian loaves get a little too brown yesterday.

[ibcheft]

Want to see your house faster, bake bread an hour or two before open house, the smells lingers and nothing makes you feel like your at home other than the fresh scent of fresh baked bread. I heard it almost doubles the amount of offers they receive.