Nature's Own Honey Wheat Nutrition - Calories, Carbs, Fiber and Benefits

Exploring the Nutritional Value of Nature's Own Honey Wheat Bread

Honey wheat bread has grown increasingly popular as consumers look for tasty whole grain options with added sweetness. Nature's Own offers a well-known honey wheat variety that can make a nutritious addition to a balanced diet.

An Overview of Nature's Own Bread

As one of the largest retail bread brands in the U.S., Nature's Own sells over $1 billion worth of bread annually across dozens of varieties. Their offerings span white breads, wheat breads, specialty loaves and more.

The brand has capitalized on rising demand for nutritious whole grain bread options by producing different types of wheat breads. These appeal to consumers looking for fuller flavor and added nutritional benefits compared to plain white bread.

Nature's Own Honey Wheat Bread Ingredients

Like all products from Nature's Own, the honey wheat bread gets its nutty flavor and texture from whole grain wheat flour. Here is a look at some of the main ingredients:

• Whole wheat flour - Provides nutrition with fiber, protein, B vitamins and minerals
• Water - Helps bind ingredients and promote rising/leavening
• Wheat gluten - Gives dough elasticity for kneading and rising
• Sugar and honey - Contributes sweetness in flavor, promotes browning
• Yeast - Leavens bread and produces characteristic aroma
• Vegetable oil - Adds moisture and richness
• Salt - For flavor enhancement and dough conditioning

No artificial colors, flavors or preservatives are used. The bread is also free of high fructose corn syrup and trans fat.

Nutrition Facts for Nature's Own Honey Wheat Bread

A single regular slice (1 oz or 28g) of Nature's Own Honey Wheat Bread contains:

• 70 calories
• 13g carbs (2g fiber, 2g sugars)
• 2g protein

It also provides small amounts of vitamins and minerals like calcium, iron, potassium, folate and more.

Benefits of Choosing Honey Wheat Bread

There are several potential perks that make Nature's Own Honey Wheat a healthy bread option:

• Higher fiber - 3g per slice supports digestion and heart health
• More protein - Builds and repairs tissue compared to white bread
• Lower glycemic index - Steady release of carbs avoids spikes and dips in blood sugar
• Contains more B vitamins - Essential for converting food into cellular energy
• Honey sweetness adds flavor - Reduces need for unhealthy sugars or corn syrup
• Kid-friendly taste and texture - Great for sandwiches in school lunches

Additionally, no high fructose corn syrup and 0g trans fat per serving makes this a better choice for heart health.

Comparing with White Bread and Wheat Bread

To better understand Nature's Own honey wheat nutrition, it helps to compare against regular white bread and basic whole wheat bread.

Here are some averaged nutritional differences in a typical single slice:

• White bread - 75 calories, 15g carbs, 1g fiber, 3g protein
• Wheat bread - 70 calories, 13g carbs, 2g fiber, 4g protein
• Honey wheat bread - 70 calories, 13g carbs, 3g fiber, 2g protein

As you can see, white bread tends to be slightly higher in overall carbs and calories compared to wheat and honey wheat varieties. Fiber, protein and other nutrients are increased in wheat breads.

Tips for Enjoying Nature's Own Honey Wheat Bread

Here are some great ways to enjoy honey wheat bread from Nature's Own:

• Lightly toast for breakfast or snacking
• Use for sandwiches, burgers, paninis and more
• Create French toast or tasty croutons
• Make bread crumbs for recipes
• Pair with soups, salads and dips

For added nutrition, top your bread with avocado, peanut butter, hummus or another protein-rich spread.

Bread and Diabetes Management

For the millions managing diabetes, carbohydrate intake directly impacts blood sugar levels. This means bread choices can make an important difference in overall diabetes control.

Ranking Bread Options for Diabetes

While no bread choice is technically off limits, some smarter options can help maintain steady glucose levels. Here is how common breads rank for a diabetes diet:

1. Sprouted grain - Slow carbs are gentler on blood sugar response
2. Sourdough - Fermentation makes carbs easier to metabolize
3. Whole grains - More fiber prevents spikes; look for 100% whole wheat
4. White bread - High glycemic index demands more insulin production

Based on these criteria, Nature's Own Honey Wheat can be a good option, providing whole grains and some fiber per slice.

Tips for Enjoying Bread with Diabetes

Here are some pointers for picking the right bread and controlling portions:

• Look for at least 3g fiber per slice
• Combine breads with protein and healthy fats
• Limit portion to 1-2 slices per meal
• Opt for whole grains whenever possible
• Avoid dough conditioners like bromate

Using strategies like these helps ensure bread can be part of a healthy type 2 diabetes diet without spiking blood sugar.

The Future of Healthy Bread Options

As nutrition knowledge, health conditions, and consumer preferences evolve, brands like Nature's Own continue improving their offerings to align with emerging trends.

Here are some possibilities that may shape bread ingredients and nutrition in the years ahead:

• More organic ancient grains like quinoa, amaranth, teff etc.
• New natural sweeteners as alternatives to refined sugars
• Increased fortification with vitamins and minerals
• Further innovations in reducing carbs and calories
• Rise of artisanal micro-bakeries offering specialty loaves

Balancing consumer taste preferences, production costs, and nutrition will determine what kinds of bread options end up on grocery shelves.

Understanding current honey wheat nutrition details and health impacts puts consumers in the best position to evaluate future offerings.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.