A variety of factors go into whether or not a food helps or hurts your weight-loss efforts. Some are high in calories, while others can put your body into states that make you crave more food. Others are both low in calories and high in nutrition. Sourdough, one of many bread options, performs better or worse as a weight-loss option depending on what it's being compared to.
Calorie Analysis
One way to determine how diet-friendly a bread is would be to look at the calories in an average serving. According to information released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a 1 oz. serving of sourdough contains about 80 calories. An ounce of pumpernickel contains 70, as does an average ounce of commercially prepared whole wheat bread. Multi-grain bread weighs in at about 75 calories per ounce. From a pure calorie-counting standpoint, sourdough is not significantly better or worse than other breads.
Refined Grains
Sourdough bread is made from refined grain flour, meaning the grains have already been broken up before you eat them -- essentially, they've been pre-digested. When the calories from that refined grain hit your system, they flood your bloodstream with sugar. Your body responds and, within an hour or so, craves more sugar to help make up for the increased level of chemicals that process sugars. Refined grains lead to food cravings throughout the day. From this standpoint, whole grain bread options are better than sourdough bread when it comes to weight loss.
Carbohydrates
The majority of calories in sourdough come from carbohydrates. Carboyhdrates are less weight-loss friendly than other macronutrients. Carbohydrates -- even whole grain carbohydrates -- break down faster than the calories in fats and proteins. Also, breads generally have the highest amount of calories as compared to their nutrient level of any food outside of candies and other dessert options.
Bottom Line
Sourdough is decidedly not a better option for losing weight. Bread products in general are a bad choice for weight loss, and sourdough -- being made from refined grain flour -- is not the best weight-loss choice even among bread products. If you're trying to lose weight, you're better off reserving sourdough for an occasional treat, or "cheat day" indulgence.
References
- "Eat, Drink and Be Healthy"; Dr. Walter Willett, et. al; 2004
- USDA Nutrient Database SR-21
- "Body for Life"; Bill Phillips; 1998
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