Great Value Whole Grain Bread Benefits for Diabetics

The Benefits of Great Value Whole Grain Bread

When living with type 2 diabetes, being mindful of the carbohydrates you eat is crucial for managing blood sugar levels. Not all breads are created equal when it comes to carbohydrates. The key is to choose options that are made from 100% whole grains, which cause smaller spikes in blood sugar compared to refined grains.

One excellent whole grain bread option for people with diabetes is Great Value's 100% Whole Wheat Bread. Here's a look at some of the specific benefits this budget-friendly bakery staple offers:

High in Fiber

Great Value 100% Whole Wheat Bread provides 5 grams of fiber per serving, delivering 20% of your recommended daily fiber intake. The fiber comes from the intact whole grains used to make the bread. Fiber is important for digestive health and also helps you feel full for longer after eating.

Low Glycemic Index

The glycemic index (GI) measures how quickly blood sugar rises after eating a food. Foods with a high GI cause rapid spikes, while low GI foods cause more gradual rises. Great Value Whole Wheat Bread has a low GI of 51, meaning it should not significantly spike blood sugar levels.

No Added Sugars

This Great Value bakery product contains no added sugars. It uses natural whole grain flour as the main ingredient rather than white refined flour, which is quickly broken down into sugar during digestion. The lack of added sugars means greater blood sugar stability.

What to Look for in a Healthy Bread

When grocery shopping for breads that fit into a type 2 diabetes nutrition plan, there are certain labels and ingredients to look out for. Here are some top tips for finding a quality loaf that won't destabilize your blood sugar levels:

Seeking Out Whole Grains

Scan the bread label closely to check that whole grains like whole wheat flour, brown rice flour, or oats are at the top of the ingredients list. Having one of these as the first ingredient means whole grains account for most of the product.

Checking the Fiber Content

Higher fiber products are preferable because fiber helps mitigate blood sugar spikes. Look for at least 3-4 grams of fiber per slice of bread. Anything labeled as a "good source of fiber" contains about that much per serving.

Watching Out for Added Sugars

Scan the ingredients list for added sugars like cane sugar, brown rice syrup, honey, or anything else ending in "ose" like dextrose or maltose. Ingredients are listed by quantity, so items appearing at the beginning likely make up most of the product.

Seeing Where It's Shelved

The bakery area is often separated into white breads vs. wheat breads. Products made with whole grains are reliably stocked in the wheat bread section, while those made from refined white flour sit alongside generic white sandwich bread.

Choosing the Best Bread Alternatives

Beyond traditional loaves, many other bread replacements provide tasty convenience without spiking blood sugar. Here are some smart alternatives to plain white bread:

Sprouted Grain Breads

Breads made from sprouted grains like Ezekiel Bread undergo a natural fermentation process that makes nutrients more bioavailable compared to traditional baking. Sprouting may improve glycemic responses.

Seeded Bread

Varieties studded with seeds like flax, chia, and hemp are full of protein, fiber, and healthy fats that promote steady energy rather than sugar crashes.

Low-Carb Bread

Newer options like ThinSlim Foods and Franz Keto Bread are engineered to have minimal net carbs and drastically reduced impact on blood sugar.

Lettuce Wrap "Buns"

Using large lettuce leaves in place of traditional bread allows you to still enjoy sandwiches while avoiding carb-loaded bread products. Romaine, butter lettuce, and iceberg lettuce work well.

Incorporating Bread into a Diabetes Meal Plan

Enjoying bread in moderation can be part of a healthy type 2 diabetes diet plan. Here are some tips for keeping your blood sugar stable if eating sandwiches, toast, rolls, and similar bread products:

Stick to 1-2 Servings Per Day

Limit bread items to 1-2 servings daily at most based on nutrition labels. This allows you to work it into meals without overdoing your carbohydrate intake.

Pair Bread with Protein Sources

Eat bread alongside protein sources like eggs, lean meats, low-fat dairy products, nuts, or beans to help regulate the pace at which sugar enters your bloodstream.

Watch Portion Sizes

Pay attention to serving sizes rather than eating bread products mindlessly. Measure out a true serving rather than estimating, and don't help yourself to extra as the grains themselves contain carbs.

Try Lower Carb Breads

Experiment with lower carbohydrate bread alternatives like those made with almond flour, coconut flour, pumpkin seeds, and similar ingredients in place of grains.

At the end of the day, being an informed shopper and label reader is key to identifying truly diabetes-friendly bread options like Great Value's 100% Whole Wheat Bread that should stabilize blood sugar rather than destabilizing it.

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.