Pita bread is a staple for many Mediterranean diets. It’s delicious and healthy, but what about its health benefits? Is pita bread healthy?
The short answer is: Yes. Pita bread is an excellent choice for those trying to eat healthily because it provides several health benefits.
Read on to discover what pita bread is and why it’s such a healthy bread option.
What Is Pita Bread?
Pita bread is an ancient type of bread made from wheat flour, water, yeast, and salt. Yeast makes the dough rise and gives it a chewy texture and flavor.
Pita bread is commonly eaten in Middle Eastern countries like Israel, Jordan, and Iraq. It’s also popular in other parts of the world, such as France, Germany, Australia, and Canada.
Pita bread can be used for making sandwiches or topped with vegetables such as cucumber salad or tomato slices. People also use it as a substitute for tortillas when making tacos or burritos, although it does not hold up well under high heat conditions.
Is Pita Bread Healthy?
Yes, it is. Pita bread has many health benefits that make it one of the world’s healthiest breads. Here are some of the benefits:
It aids digestion
Pita bread aids digestion by providing the body with soluble fiber, which helps move food through your system more efficiently. Fiber can also help you feel full for a long time while minimizing bloating after eating.
It’s a great source of B vitamins
Pita bread has plenty of B vitamins, including niacin (B3), thiamin (B1), and folic acid (B9). B vitamins help your body use carbohydrates for energy and regulate moods like depression and anxiety.
They also play an important role in cell growth while helping with nerve function, muscle movement, and brain function.
It reduces inflammation
Because pita bread contains soluble fiber, it can help reduce inflammation in the gut. Soluble fiber dissolves in water and becomes a gel-like substance that can help remove toxins from your gut naturally.
It lowers cholesterol levels
The fiber in pita bread can help lower cholesterol levels by reducing the amount of plaque in the arteries. This is especially important if you’re prone to cardiovascular diseases like coronary heart disease and stroke.
It’s rich in potassium and magnesium
Pita bread is high in potassium and magnesium — both of which are essential minerals that help regulate blood pressure levels, muscle function, and fluid balance in the body.
It provides energy
You’ll get carbohydrates from pita bread, which will give you energy throughout the day. Carbohydrates can also help improve brain function and memory, reduce cancer risk, and improve muscle mass.
SEE: Why Squaw Bread Is Good for You
Is Pita Bread Healthy for Weight Loss?
Yes, pita bread is healthy for weight loss. This is because it contains fiber, which binds with the food you eat and helps you feel full longer.
Fiber also helps you digest food, so your body can get all the energy from the food you eat. These two factors help your body burn fat and lose weight quickly.
Is Pita Bread Healthy for Diabetics?
Yes, it is. Pita bread contains fiber and protein, which make it healthy for people with diabetes. It also has some essential vitamins and minerals like iron and zinc, which are essential for good health.
Some people think that eating pita bread can cause blood sugar levels to rise quickly because of its carbohydrate content. However, this is not true because pita bread has a low glycemic index value (glycemic index is the rate at which food can cause a blood sugar spike).
This means that people who are diabetic or have insulin resistance issues can eat this bread without worrying about getting spikes in their blood glucose levels.
SEE: Is Jasmine Rice Good for Diabetics?
Is Pita Bread Healthier Than White Bread?
The answer is yes. Pita bread is made from whole wheat flour, which is high in fiber and low in calories. White bread contains refined wheat flour and refined sugar, which cause inflammation in the body and contribute to weight gain.
In addition, pita bread has more protein than its white counterpart, which means it will keep you fuller for longer. It also contains more potassium than white bread, which can help regulate blood pressure levels and muscle function in the body.
Is Pita Bread and Hummus Healthy?
Yes, they are both healthy. Pita bread is high in fiber and vitamins such as vitamin B1 and B3, which are essential for good health. Hummus is rich in probiotics and minerals such as magnesium, zinc, and iron, which help maintain good health.
If you want to eat pita bread and hummus without adding too many calories, then opt for the lighter versions. For example, pita bread with just hummus and vegetables instead of meat or cheese will provide you with many nutrients without packing too many extra calories.
Is Pita Bread Good for Keto?
Yes, it is. Pita bread is low in carbs because it contains just whole wheat flour, yeast, salt, and water. So if you’re on a keto diet or looking to cut back on carbs, you can eat this bread with low-carb spreads such as avocado or cream cheese.
Is Pita Bread the Same Thing as Naan?
The simple answer is no. Pita bread is a common type of bread from the Middle East, while naan is a popular Indian flatbread. Naan is often eaten with curry but can also be used as a wrap for many other meals, including salads or sandwiches.
SEE: How to Get Free Food Coupon at Krispy Kreme
How to Make Homemade Pita Bread
- In a large bowl, combine 3 cups of whole-wheat flour with 1 cup of water, 1 teaspoon of instant yeast, and 2 teaspoons of salt.
- Mix until the salt dissolves, cover with plastic wrap, and then let sit at room temperature overnight.
- Knead the dough for 10 minutes until smooth and elastic, adding flour as necessary to prevent sticking. It should be stiff enough to hold its shape but still tender enough to roll out flat without breaking apart.
- Place the dough in an oiled container and cover it with plastic wrap or a damp towel for about 1 hour.
- Bake the dough in an oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 30 minutes.
- Serve your homemade pita bread hot or cold, and enjoy.
SEE: Is Toast Healthy?
FAQs
Where can you get pita bread?
Pita bread is available everywhere, from supermarkets to food stores and grocery stores in the bread aisle. It typically comes in a paper wrapper or plastic bag, although some brands may put it in boxes.
Is pita bread delicious?
Yes, it is. Pita bread is delicious, and it’s often eaten as a whole meal or served with other foods such as salads or falafel. People also use it to make sandwiches, wraps, burgers, pizza crusts, and more.
How many slices of bread should you eat in a day?
6 – 8 slices of bread. The number of slices of bread you should eat in a day depends on your weight and gender, but experts recommend 6 -8 slices for an average person.
The number of slices of bread you need daily also depends on what kind of bread it is. For instance, whole-wheat bread has more nutrients than white bread, so you should eat less of it than if you were eating white bread.
Conclusion
Pita bread is a type of bread that consists of whole-wheat flour, yeast, water, and salt. You can eat it alone as a snack or use it as a base for sandwiches, tacos, or burritos.
Pita bread is high in fiber, which helps to keep you feeling full while reducing cholesterol levels and inflammation. It’s also a great source of B vitamins and minerals such as potassium and magnesium.
This makes pita bread a healthy alternative to white bread when you need to eat something on the go.
Thanks for reading.
Visit Cheffist for more bread articles.
