The etiquette columnist Emily Post once wrote "Bread is like dresses, hats and shoes -- in other words, essential!" As a central part of the diet of every culture across the globe, it's no wonder that the dizzying array of breads available make it tough to figure out the difference between the ingredients, nutrients and health aspects of similar-sounding types, like whole grain bread and whole wheat bread. While the two share many basic nutritional qualities, they may feature different ingredients.
Definition
Whole grain bread is prepared from unrefined cereal grains such as barley, whole cornmeal, whole wheat, brown rice, oats, bulghur and buckwheat. When unrefined grains are used in whole grain bread production, they are ground with their entire grain kernel intact so that the finished product contains the germ, endosperm and bran that make up each individual cereal kernel. Since whole wheat bread is prepared using unrefined whole wheat flour, whole wheat bread is a specific type of whole grain bread.
Fiber Content
Whole grains are an excellent source of fiber, and since regularly eating fiber-rich foods is linked to a decrease in the risk of health problems like coronary heart disease and certain types of cancer, both whole grain bread and whole wheat bread are good additions to a healthy diet. However, the fiber content of whole grain and whole wheat breads varies widely depending on the amount of whole grain or whole wheat flour used. If 100 percent whole grain flour is the only flour used, the amount of fiber per serving will be significantly higher than breads that feature a blend of whole grain and refined white flour.
Vitamins and Minerals
Breads made from all types of whole grains, including whole wheat flour, contain large amounts of vitamins such as vitamin E, niacin, riboflavin, thiamin and folate. These vitamins help maintain the health of the nervous system, regulate metabolism and support the formation of red blood cells. Whole grain and whole wheat breads are rich sources of minerals such as iron, magnesium, potassium, copper and selenium -- minerals essential for skeletal, muscular and immune system function.
Expert Insight
The United States Department of Agriculture recommends eating at least three servings of whole grains daily, and both whole grain bread and whole wheat bread meet this requirement. However, the Wheat Foods Council advises that you should check all labels carefully when you are shopping for whole grain breads. Some brown breads do not contain whole grains at all, but rather obtain their brownish, whole grain appearance from ingredients like molasses or caramel coloring. To get the most nutrition out of your bread, Mayo Clinic.com recommends choosing products that list "whole wheat" or a specific type of "whole" grain as one of the first ingredients.
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