Comparing wheat bread to multigrain bread is not as straightforward as it may seem. One can be nutritionally superior to the other, or they can both be equally nutritious -- or not. Wheat bread contains wheat while multigrain bread contains a number of different grains, one of which may or may not be wheat. Their nutritional values rely on how much whole grain is in the bread.
Wheat Definition
Wheat bread does not necessarily mean the bread is only made from whole-wheat grains. Unless the package specifically states "whole wheat," the wheat bread you're getting likely contains a mix of wheat flour and enriched white flour. Whole wheat bread, which will have whole wheat as its first ingredient, generally contains more fiber than wheat breads.
Multigrain Defintion
Multigrain breads are not necessarily made from whole grains, either. The term multigrain only means the bread contains a number of different grains. The term does not disclose if the bread contains refined grains, whole grains or a mixture of both types.
Wheat vs. Multigrain
When comparing wheat bread to multigrain bread, first discern the specifics of the breads. A wheat bread that contains a mix of white and wheat flour will have different nutritional values than a whole-wheat bread. Likewise, multigrain bread that contains refined grains will have different nutritional values than multigrain bread that uses whole grains. Due to the vast array of different wheat and multigrain breads, it is impossible to compare the two without knowing more about the bread's specific content.
Whole Grain Definition
Bread that contains whole grains, such as whole wheat, whole oats or whole-grain multigrain breads, is the healthiest choice overall. Whole-grain breads contain the entire grain, or seed, of the plant, which includes the bran, the germ and the endosperm. The components are packed with nutrients and fiber.
Refined grains have the bran and germ removed from the grain and, even though the bread might contain vitamins and minerals added after milling, it still won't contain as much fiber or measure up to whole grains' superior nutritional value.
Whole Wheat vs. Whole-grain Multigrain
If whole-wheat bread and whole-grain multigrain breads are labeled as such, the breads can have about the same high nutritional value. Whole-wheat bread will generally be more nutritious than multigrain bread that contains refined grains. Whole-grain multigrain bread will generally be more nutritious than wheat bread with refined grains.
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