What Nutrients Are in Wheat Bread?

What Nutrients Are in Wheat Bread?
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Wheat bread is a healthy addition to any diet. Those featuring 100 percent wheat flour as a first ingredient usually provide more fiber and B vitamins than white bread. One slice of wheat bread helps counts as 1 oz. towards the U.S. Department of Agriculture recommendation to consume a minimum of 3 oz. of whole grains daily.

Macronutrients

Commercially prepared wheat bread, on average, contains 1g of fat, none of which is saturated. The American Heart Association recommends limiting saturated fat to less than 7 percent of daily calories, so choosing a bread with no saturated fat is a healthy choice. Depending on the size of the slice, it contains between 12 and 17g of carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are the primary source of energy for the body and should comprise between 45 and 65 percent of daily calories according to the Institute of Medicine. Protein content also depends on size of the bread slice, but usually averages about 4g per slice, so it's not a significant source. Protein is an essential component of all of the cells in the body.

Vitamins

Wheat bread is a source of six of the eight B vitamins which help you convert food into energy. One slice has 7 percent of the recommended dietary allowance for thiamin, 7 percent for niacin, 4 percent for riboflavin, 3 percent for vitamin B-6, 3 percent for folate and 2 percent for pantothenic acid, based on a 2,000-calorie diet. It also provides 7.4 mg of choline -- a nutrient grouped with the B vitamins. One slice of wheat bread provides 3 percent of the RDA for vitamin K and 1 percent for vitamin E.

Minerals

Wheat bread provides 30 percent of the RDA for manganese per slice. Among its many functions, manganese assists in metabolic and thyroid function, calcium absorption and blood sugar regulation. Wheat bread also offers 16 percent of the RDA for selenium, which acts as an antioxidant, 6 percent for zinc, magnesium and phosphorus, 5 percent for copper, 4 percent for iron and 3 percent for calcium.

Fiber

Wheat bread contains 2 to 3g of fiber per slice, depending on the brand. Fiber is a type of carbohydrate that can help with digestive health and may help lower your risk of heart disease. The Harvard School of Public Health notes that women should seek to consume more than 20g daily and men more than 30g daily.

References

Article reviewed by Elizabeth Ahders Last updated on: Dec 20, 2010

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