White Whole-Wheat Bread?

Really? Is there really such a thing? With all the talk about eliminating white, refined bread and starches from our diet, how can anything with “white bread” in its name be considered healthy? Easy, if the bread is made with white whole-wheat flour!

White whole-wheat bread is made from white whole-wheat flour, whereas regular white bread is made from wheat flour that has been processed, refined, then fortified (alias “enriched wheat flour” or “wheat flour”). White flour is missing two of the three parts of the seed: the nutritious outside bran layer and the germ; thus eliminating the valuable fiber and protein. However, white whole-wheat bread contains all three parts of the seed and nothing is lost in the process of making the flour.

White whole-wheat comes from a different type of wheat than its regular whole wheat counterpart. The bran of white whole-wheat is lacking color. It’s more yellowish tan than dark brown. White whole-wheat is noticeably sweeter, has a milder flavor, and softer texture. In contrast, the bran of regular whole-wheat is red in color, which is where the darker brown color comes from. Whole wheat also has a slightly bitter taste and a coarser texture that makes it unappealing to those used to eating white bread. So to those who prefer the taste and texture of white bread over whole wheat bread, consider trying a product made with white whole-wheat instead. You may be pleasantly surprised!

Keep in mind that it is very important to read the ingredients list carefully when you are considering any product as marketing can be misleading. If the word “whole,” such as whole wheat, white whole-wheat, whole grain, or whole oats is not the first ingredient, than it isn’t a whole-grain product.

If you’re looking for a good white bread made with white whole-wheat, consider trying any of the following: Wonder (IBC), Pepperidge Farm, Sara Lee, Nature’s Own and Cobblestone Mill (Flowers), Wholesome Harvest (Maple Leaf Bakery), and Aunt Millie’s (Perfection). Some other products offered by many of these companies include whole-grain pancakes, muffins, scones, and even pizza crust. If you’re a baker, simply substitute a cup of white whole-wheat flour for a cup of all-purpose flour.