I'm trying to lose weight and a peanut butter sandwich on whole grain bread is what I eat for lunch. Is that an unhealthy choice? I know we don't really need bread but I don't know what else to eat for lunch and I've already decided to eat chicken breast and fish for dinner every day with mixed vegetables.
Answer on Is eating two slices of whole grain bread every day part of an unhealthy diet?
It depends on the bread AND the peanut butter you're using. As a vegan I LOVED having this snack all the time for a great protein and energy boost - very filling. Here's the thing: even whole grain bread can be not so good for you - it's carbs, but in a kinder form than the white flour carbs, which, believe it or not, mimic sugar when being taken in the body (yikes, huh!) The heartier the wheat grain, and the higher quality of bread, the less quickly the carbs hit your body, with the most beneficial effect on your energy levels as a lasting source that doesn't contribute to weight. Anothing thing you want to watch out for is bread with added sugars. Honey in whole wheat makes it taste better and is a bit better for you than just plain sugar - molasses is better too. Check nutrition panels and ingredient lists. Try to go for low sugar content in general. Also, you want a good quality hearty whole wheat - Sara Lee's whole wheat white bread just won't do for this.... But here's a pretty good tip: the heavier the loaf of hearty whole wheat bread you are buying, the chances are the better it is for you. It means that it's loaded with fiber (which is always good for you - it sticks to yucky stuff in the intestinal tract and gets it out for you!! very, very good!) - the factory didn't put bubbling agents into the dough to make it more puffy and airy for their product and still charge you for what is essentially, less food. Also, really good bread will have a bit of protein in it too! It might cost more to get a really good loaf. However, when it comes to your health and it enriching your life and making you feel better, it's no problem making room for that and you will be glad you did from time to time. The first brand of bread that comes to mind as the very best healthy bread I know of is Dave's KILLER Bread - certified organic and the most delicious and hearty bread I've ever had to this day in my life. It runs pretty expensive, but you can alternate between this and another cheaper hearty whole wheat in the meantime to save money.
The peanut butter is a great idea, and a good protien bump. However, make sure it doesn't have this: hydrogenated, partially hydrogenated oils, and too much sugar. These will just do you in with peanut butter - not to mention, not very much peanut butter out there is of the best quality - the nutrients and the beneficial, naturally occuring fats in them gets destroyed by manufacturing processes. Again, looking at ingredient lists and nutrition panels on your peanut butter will really help you out. Try getting some natural peanut butter, maybe, the kind you need to stir. Also, there are other nut butters out there to try - some have more of this kind of fat, or more proteins, depending. I just found some plain unsalted, unsweetened pure crunchy almond butter and it is soo good. And you don't have to use jam for a sweet topping - sliced banana, pear, and apples are a real treat - maybe even sprinkle some cinnamon on there and mm mm! This will be more filling for you and still beneficial for your body. You're getting more complex carbs - better than the simple ones in processed flours and processed sugar - from fruits and hearty whole grains. Plus the protein is staying in your system longer and helping the complex carbs get properly assimilated for the most benefit. Just this type of meal will be sooo filling for you, last you a long while till dinner, and sooo good for you too. Go for it! Glad you are getting healthy and good luck, by the way!
