DangTalk – 1 minute a day, check the myths and truths about diabetes with a simple quiz.

1. Criteria for Choosing Bread
When a person with diabetes chooses bread, the most important factors to consider are the amount of ‘refined carbohydrates,’ the presence of ‘added sugar,’ and the type and amount of ‘fat.’ These three elements vary greatly depending on the type of bread.

2. Characteristics of a Baguette
– Simple Ingredients: A traditional baguette is made with only four ingredients: flour, water, salt, and yeast. It does not contain sugar, butter, milk, or eggs.
– Crispy on the outside, Chewy on the inside: Its hard and coarse texture naturally makes you eat it slowly and chew for longer. The act of chewing for a longer time helps increase satiety and prevent overeating.
– Advantages: It can be a better choice for blood sugar and weight management because you can avoid the added sugar and saturated fat often found in soft sandwich bread.

3. Characteristics of Sandwich Bread
– Additives for Softness: The sandwich bread we commonly eat often contains sugar, butter or margarine, milk, and sometimes condensed milk or syrup to achieve its soft texture.
– The Problem: These added sugars and fats add unnecessary calories and are a cause of higher blood sugar. Also, because sandwich bread is so soft, it is easy to eat quickly, increasing the risk of overeating.

4. The Best Choice is ‘Whole Wheat Bread’
Of course, since the main ingredient of both baguettes and sandwich bread is ‘white flour,’ they are both high-carbohydrate foods that raise blood sugar quickly. The best choice for a person with diabetes is ‘100% whole wheat bread’ or ‘rye bread,’ which are rich in dietary fiber and raise blood sugar more gradually. However, if one must choose from white flour breads, those with fewer additives like baguettes, bagels, or ciabatta are relatively better choices than soft sandwich bread.

Summary: A baguette is a relatively better choice than sandwich bread in terms of blood sugar and calorie management because it does not contain additives like sugar and butter. However, the best option is fiber-rich whole wheat bread.