Bread made with more than one type of grain can be a remarkably healthy addition to any meal or snack. If the loaf was produced with whole grains, it's likely to have only a moderate calorie count and be rich in nutrients that have multiple health benefits. It's important to read nutrition labels carefully, since not all multiple-grain breads are made with whole grains.
Ingredients
There's no standard definition for what constitutes "multiple-grain bread," which is more commonly known as multigrain bread. The only criterion is that a loaf be made with more than one type of grain. Wheat flour is the typical base for yeast bread, so technically a bread that is made with refined white flour and topped with toasted oats could be classified as multigrain. In its healthiest form, however, multigrain bread incorporates a variety of whole grains, such as whole wheat, spelt, millet, rye, barley, buckwheat, oats, quinoa or amaranth. The grains may be milled and use in flour form or be mixed into the dough to add contrasting textural notes.
Nutrition Facts
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's nutrition database reports that a single 40-gram slice of multigrain bread that includes whole wheat flour has about 110 calories, 5.5 grams protein, 1.75 grams fat, 18 grams carbohydrates, 3 grams fiber and 2.5 grams sugar. The specific nutritional information for a piece of multigrain bread varies depending on its size as well as the grains it contains, so it's always wise to check nutrition labels prior to purchasing a loaf of bread.
Comparison
One notable pro of multiple-grain bread is that it contains far more fiber and protein than white bread, as long as it's made with whole grain ingredients. A 40-grams slice of bread made with refined white flour, which has been stripped of its bran and germ, has 110 calories, 3 grams protein, 1.5 grams fat, 21 grams carbohydrates, 1 grams fiber and 1.75 grams sugar. The added dietary fiber from multigrain bread can help reduce risks of obesity, diabetes and heart disease, according to ChooseMyPlate.gov. The Whole Grains Council adds that eating more products made with whole grains can reduce risks of gum disease, high blood pressure, cancer, inflammation and asthma.
Considerations
Since the definition of multigrain bread is unclear and can include loaves made with many different ingredients, you might wish to make your own bread or compare nutrition facts of several types if you're looking for a specific set of ingredients. For the best chance of meeting your nutritional needs, eat a wide variety of whole grains regularly in addition to multigrain bread.
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