About this video

• Video Title: Which supermarket bread is healthiest?
• Channel: TRUE FOOD TV
• Speakers: [None explicitly named in the transcript]
• Duration: 00:14:29

Overview

This video aims to educate viewers on how to identify the healthiest supermarket bread by analyzing common ingredients and marketing tactics. It discusses the issues with refined flours, added sugars, vegetable oils, and mystery ingredients, and ultimately recommends three specific brands as healthier options.

Key takeaways

• Prioritize Ingredient Lists: Never trust bread names or branding; always check the ingredient list. The first ingredient should ideally be "whole wheat" or a similar whole grain.
• Beware of "Multigrain" and "Cracked Wheat": These terms don't guarantee whole grains. "Multigrain" simply means multiple types of grains, which can still be refined. "Cracked wheat" refers to the processing, not necessarily the whole grain.
• Sugar Content is Crucial: Healthy bread should have minimal to no added sugar. Aim for 2 grams of sugar per slice or less. Many supermarket breads contain added sugar for color, preservation, and taste.
• Avoid Vegetable Oils: Oils like soybean, canola, and sunflower are often added to make bread softer and extend shelf life. These are unnecessary in healthy bread.
• Question Mystery Ingredients: Dough conditioners, emulsifiers, and preservatives (e.g., sodium stearoyl lactylate, monoglycerides, calcium peroxide, ascorbic acid, soy lecithin) are used to speed up production and mimic real bread textures but are generally undesirable.
• Added Gluten is Common: Most supermarket breads contain added wheat gluten to strengthen the dough for industrial processing, which can be problematic for those with sensitivities.
• Gluten-Free/Low-Carb Aren't Always Healthier: Many gluten-free or low-carb breads are made with highly refined starches and "mystery ingredients."
• Recommended Brands:
  • Winner: Ezekiel Sprouted Bread (sprouted whole grains, no added sugar, oils, or preservatives, though it does contain added wheat gluten). Found in freezer/refrigerator sections.
  • Runner-up: Dave's Killer Bread Power Seed (red bag only, low sugar from organic fruit juice, no added oils).
  • Third Pick: Silver Hills Big 16 (organic whole grain with sprouted wheat and oats, low sugar, but contains synthetic vitamin C/ascorbic acid).

The video identifies Wonderbread as "among the worst of a bad bunch." It's criticized for being "crazy soft and sweet and has a huge list of unpronounceable ingredients that read like a chemistry lesson." Specifically, it's mentioned as containing refined flour, sugar, and a cocktail of chemicals like sodium stearoyl lactylate, monoglycerides, calcium peroxide, ascorbic acid, and soy lecithin. The video also points out that while two slices of Wonderbread might have less sugar than some other breads, it's still a product the speaker would avoid for "a multitude of other reasons."