So I’m in the bread isle looking for a loaf of healthy bread. Here is the ‘Health Nut’, ‘Healthy Multi-Grain’, ‘Heart Healthy’, and then some.  Wow, awesome! I guess I pick the one that appeals to me the most — “Healthy Multi-Grain” with “No Artificial Colors, Flavors or Preservatives”. Why not? The name clearly states – healthy; it’s also multi-grain, which sounds even more healthy. And on top of that, it has no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives, sounds very, very healthy to me!  I bought it.

After having a piece of my great-tasting healthy bread, I wanted to find out its caloric and fat info. It wasn’t bad at all, within healthy range. Then I noticed ingredients’ list beside it and it seemed quite long, and the longer I read it, the less familiar they sounded. Here they are:

• whole wheat flour

• water

• sugar

• wheat gluten

• brown rice

• cornmeal

• oats

• wheat bran

• yeast

• cellulose fiber

• soybean oil

• salt

• molasses

• cultured dextrose

• maltodextrin

• DATEM

• mono- and diglycerides

• calcium sulfate

• citric acid

• poppy seeds

• grain vinegar

• soy lecithin

• nuts

• whey

• nonfat milk

Okay, so the first few ingredients I am very familiar with, I know their origin, what they look like, taste like and they sound okay-healthy to me. But as I’m going down the list, the names get more scientific and not nearly as familiar. I run into the unpronounceables! What are these ingredients? Still healthy?

Out of curiosity I decided to do a little research on my own to ensure that I am making a true “healthy” choice. Here is what I found so far translated into plain English.

Dextrose and maltodextrin are highly processed food additives derived from corn or wheat and come as a light, white tasteless powder. They mix well with liquids and have lower density than sugar. As far as I understand they are used instead of sugar for improved texture and flavor of the final product. According to Wikipedia they are commonly used for the production of natural sodas and candy such as SweetTarts. So why are they in my healthy bread?

DATEM is short for Diacetyl Tartaric (Acid) Ester, a mouth full, isn’t it? It’s used in baking as a softener. It is chemically produced and is generally recognized as safe by the Food and Drug Administration. Well, does safe by the FDA standards mean healthy for me? I’m yet to figure this one out…

Mono- and diglycerides are derived from vegetable oils or animal fats. They are the kind of fats that are solid at room temperature and are responsible for clogging up arteries. But on the other hand, they improve loaf volume, and create a smooth, soft crumb.

Next is calcium sulfate. Here is how Wikipedia states it: “Calcium sulfate is a common laboratory and industrial chemical”. What?  How does the proud statement “No artificial colors, flavors or preservatives” fit in then? Calcium sulfate is a chemical name for gypsum, the material that’s found in drywall and cement. Yakes. What’s it doing in my healthy bread? I am assuming it is a preservative.

So here I have it — beautifully preserved, soft, flavorful, tasty, loaf of gorgeous looking bread. After doing my research I decided this this healthy bread isn’t healthy enough for me. I still finished the loaf, it’s just so good. But I sure won’t be buying it again!

After some looking around, I think I found my healthy bread! I now buy organic sprouted grains breads by Food for Life. This bread is kept in the freezer, since it’s free of preservatives. Here is its ingredients’ list:

• organic sprouted wheat

• filtered water

• organic malted barley

• organic sprouted rye

• organic sprouted barley

• organic sprouted oats

• organic sprouted millet

• organic sprouted corn

• organic sprouted brown rice

• fresh yeast

• organic wheat gluten

• sea salt

No unpronounceables here. This bread is about twice the cost of the other bread, but to me, it’s worth it.

I also make my own bread at times. Actually, my bread maker does, I just toss the familiar ingredients into it and press the ‘START’ button.

What is your favorite bread? Please share your experience.