The taste of a fresh, warm bagel is irresistible. It makes a convenient and delicious grab-and-go breakfast. However, some varieties can contain up to 350 calories and more. When eaten with a topping full of unsaturated fats like cream cheese, bacon and butter it becomes an unhealthy choice. Fortunately, there are healthy bagels available today, made with ingredients that are actually good for you.
When it comes to nutritional content, this depends largely on the type of bagel. The most standard type consists of flour, yeast, salt, water and sugar. However, the popularity of these delicious ring shaped products has resulted in a proliferation of varieties. Some of these are very unhealthy whilst others are nutritious enough to form part of a balanced diet.
The health benefits of a large cinnamon and raisin bagel with chocolate chips cannot compared with a small plain, whole grain one. Some suppliers offer ones made with completely organic products, using only ingredients like organic whole spelt flour, filtered water, sea salt and adding no sweeteners or sodium. There are even high protein and gluten free varieties available.
A bagel made with whole grain contains fiber that helps to stimulate the digestive process. The fiber digests slowly, giving a feeling of being full for longer and providing energy. A wholewheat mini bagel containing about 120 calories and 1g of fat is perfect for this purpose. There are also more nutrients contained in wholewheat and multigrain products. Multigrain varieties often contain flax seeds containing essential Omega 3 fats and sunflower seeds with magnesium, selenium and vitamin E.
Checking the ingredients found in a bagel is important in order to make the right choice. Even those made with whole grains can still contain other harmful ingredients. For example, many of them contain far too much sugar and salt. Sugar is a known cause of many health problems and too much salt is not good for those with high blood pressure.
The size of the bagel also makes a difference. Gourmet varieties sold in bakeries are often large and covered with toppings full of fat and sugar. They contain a large quantity of carbohydrates and as they are made from refined flour this converts quickly into glucose. The fact that they are quickly metabolized means one soon feels hungry again and want to eat more. Eating too many carbohydrates results in the body storing them as fat.
The toppings chosen to eat with a bagel also play a significant role in its effect on health. Cream cheese and butter, two of the most popular bagel toppings, are high in fat and empty calories. However, there are many other toppings like low-fat cheese, low-fat peanut butter, or fresh fruit that add flavor without increasing the fat and sugar consumed.
Reading nutritional information listed helps when trying to select healthy bagels. Part of living a healthy lifestyle means being aware of exactly what one is consuming. The increasing demand for more nutritional varieties has led to a greater selection being available, whether from supermarkets, bakeries or online stores.
When it comes to nutritional content, this depends largely on the type of bagel. The most standard type consists of flour, yeast, salt, water and sugar. However, the popularity of these delicious ring shaped products has resulted in a proliferation of varieties. Some of these are very unhealthy whilst others are nutritious enough to form part of a balanced diet.
The health benefits of a large cinnamon and raisin bagel with chocolate chips cannot compared with a small plain, whole grain one. Some suppliers offer ones made with completely organic products, using only ingredients like organic whole spelt flour, filtered water, sea salt and adding no sweeteners or sodium. There are even high protein and gluten free varieties available.
A bagel made with whole grain contains fiber that helps to stimulate the digestive process. The fiber digests slowly, giving a feeling of being full for longer and providing energy. A wholewheat mini bagel containing about 120 calories and 1g of fat is perfect for this purpose. There are also more nutrients contained in wholewheat and multigrain products. Multigrain varieties often contain flax seeds containing essential Omega 3 fats and sunflower seeds with magnesium, selenium and vitamin E.
Checking the ingredients found in a bagel is important in order to make the right choice. Even those made with whole grains can still contain other harmful ingredients. For example, many of them contain far too much sugar and salt. Sugar is a known cause of many health problems and too much salt is not good for those with high blood pressure.
The size of the bagel also makes a difference. Gourmet varieties sold in bakeries are often large and covered with toppings full of fat and sugar. They contain a large quantity of carbohydrates and as they are made from refined flour this converts quickly into glucose. The fact that they are quickly metabolized means one soon feels hungry again and want to eat more. Eating too many carbohydrates results in the body storing them as fat.
The toppings chosen to eat with a bagel also play a significant role in its effect on health. Cream cheese and butter, two of the most popular bagel toppings, are high in fat and empty calories. However, there are many other toppings like low-fat cheese, low-fat peanut butter, or fresh fruit that add flavor without increasing the fat and sugar consumed.
Reading nutritional information listed helps when trying to select healthy bagels. Part of living a healthy lifestyle means being aware of exactly what one is consuming. The increasing demand for more nutritional varieties has led to a greater selection being available, whether from supermarkets, bakeries or online stores.
