Ideal Bite

Sandwich Bread

I Wonder...Bread

10.06.2009

Submitted by alara on Mon, 10/05/2009 - 11:00pm.

Food & Drink

The Bite:

Questioning what to make for lunch? Before you reach for any ol' sandwich slices, probe further. Best bet: Go for organic whole grain loaves. They're healthier for your kids than typical sliced bread and won't leave you speculating about chems or overrefined ingredients.

The Benefits:

No doubt about it, by not using pesticides or synthetic fertilizers, organic farming means cleaner groundwater and healthier wildlife.
Organic bread doesn't contain curious synthetic additives like cancer-linked potassium bromate, which U.S. commercial bakers use to add volume to bread, though it's banned in many other countries.
Regular wheat flour is often refined and stripped of much of its nutritional value; 100% whole grain flour retains the plant's fiber, protein, and potassium, so no wonder it's healthier.

Wanna Try:

Trader Joe's Organic 9 Grain - whole grain loaf with minimal sugar and a soft texture that appeals to kids; find a TJ's ($4).
Private Selection Organic Harvest Grain - widely available, hearty-tasting bread; transitions well from freezer to table; find a store ($4).
Rudi's Organic Bakery 100% Whole Wheat - sandwich loaf made with cracked wheat and wheat bran, and sweetened with molasses; find a store ($5).
Ezekiel 4.9 Organic Sprouted Whole Grain Bread - sturdy, flourless bread with nutty flavor made from six grains and legumes; high in protein and amino acids; find a store ($5).

Stuff to keep in mind:

Look for bread that has "whole wheat" or "whole grain" as the first ingredient. Breads labeled as a "good source of whole grain" may only contain 1/3 whole grain flour.
Organic bread doesn't contain chemical stabilizers or preservatives, so if you're not going to finish off a loaf within a few days, try keeping it in the freezer and taking out slices as needed.

Timeout

Hermosa Beach, CA, mom Jen Meyer says good, old-fashioned toast is always a breakfast hit with Luca, 2. Keeping jam off her face (and the floor...) is another story.

Bang For The Bite

If 10,000 Mama Biters opt for a loaf of organic packaged bread instead of a conventional one, we'll keep 143 million pesticide-treated wheat kernels out of kids' growling bellies.

3 comments

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Katherine Harrison on October 06, 2009 at 04:14 AM 1

I had neighbors who were grinding their own wheat and making their own bread. To which I said MAKE MY OWN BREAD...I CAN'T EVEN MAKE MY OWN BED most days. But then some health concerns sprang up for family members and I am grinding my own wheat and making bread, muffins, pancakes, etc. Breadbecker's in Woodstock, GA is my source for everything. Check it out--it has made a world of difference in how we feel--GI issues solved, skin problems--gone, my neighbor even rid her child of warts.

Valerie on October 06, 2009 at 05:20 AM 2

I too make my own bread. My (thrifty) husband did the math and each loaf costs us $0.47 when I make it on my own. We buy our flour and yeast at a wholesale club and I use a fantastic book called "Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day" to make my loaves. The recipe is simple, there is no kneading involved, and the dough keeps really well in the fridge. We have fresh baked bread all the time in our house, I have the pleasure of knowing every ingredient in our food, AND we save money!

Jencat on October 31, 2009 at 06:25 AM 3

Does anyone have a recipe for home made bread organic of course

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I Wonder...Bread

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Bang For The Bite

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