Benefits Of Eating French Bread

The French baguette is a bread loaf consisting of a combination of flour, yeast, salt and water. The French government considers the food an important aspect of the national culture and regulates the ingredients, much like the regulation of wine. In the United States, the best-tasting French baguettes are sold at artisan French bakeries. A baguette of high quality should have resilient dough, a thick crust that crackles when pressed, and a sweet and savory aroma and taste. French bread also offers a variety of nutritional benefits.

Macronutrients

A 2 oz. serving of French bread, approximately four inches long and 2.5 inches tall, provides about 164 calories, or 8 percent of a standard 2,000-calorie diet. The carbohydrate content is 32 g, which is 10 percent of the 300 g daily value the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends. The 6.6 g protein content slows the absorption of carbs, which improves the regulation of blood glucose. French bread contains water instead of milk, and the fat content is low -- only 1 g.

Fiber

The fiber content in 2 oz. of French bread is 1.4 g, or 6 percent of the 25 g FDA daily value. Fiber improves the health of the digestive system, providing bulk in foods that satisfy hunger, and it also contributes to frequent waste elimination important for removing potentially harmful byproducts of metabolism from the body.

Iron

The iron content in French bread is 2 mg per 2 oz. serving, or 11 percent of the 18 mg FDA daily value. Iron is a mineral that improves energy because it ensures that each of the body's organs receives adequate oxygen to perform its functions. Women often consume fewer iron servings than the recommended amount, particularly pre-menopausal women who need to more often replace their iron stores that they lose through menstruation.

Sodium

A 2 oz. serving of French bread provides 290 mg of sodium, or 12 percent of the 2,300 mg FDA daily recommended maximum intake. The sodium in the American diet is often higher than the recommended daily limit. French bread provides a moderate amount of sodium, but the addition of cured meats and cheeses might add more than a healthy serving of sodium. Monitoring the day's total sodium intake is key to preventing overindulgence.