Bleached flour is something that many people are seriously considering removing from their diet. Who knew it could be dangerous? However, there are chemicals in white flour that should be avoided and there are several concerns about the use of white flour that are being discussed. The chemicals in white bread have been connected with weight gain and with a variety of health conditions. Bleached flour has been stripped of its nutrients and it contains chemicals that are not beneficial to the body. Alloxan is a chemical in white flour that destroys cells in the pancreas and can cause diabetes. Avoiding using bleached flour may seem impossible as it is used in so many products; however, there are some simple steps that can be taken to avoid this common ingredient.

Eat Whole Wheat Products

Whole wheat retains its bran and wheat germ. Nutrients such as vitamin E are present in whole wheat bread and cereals. The benefits of whole wheat include the introduction of bran to the system. There are plenty of whole wheat products available such as: whole wheat hot dog and hamburger rolls, bagels, and pizza. Foods using whole wheat include essential nutrients; vitamin E in whole grain products keeps them from becoming rancid and they can last several months and then be frozen for longer preservation.

Beware of Packaging and Read Labels

Packaging on a product may say whole grain but it may only contain a small portion of whole grain. There may be other unnecessary and unhealthy ingredients in the product. Products that say whole grain can be deceptive; you will need to read the label to ensure that they truly are whole grain. Whole grain breads are heavy, firm and grainy rather than soft, fluffy and light weight.

Use Gluten-free Alternatives

Gluten-free alternatives to white bleached flour have a different taste and texture but they offer a healthy alternative to bleached white flour products. The course gluten-free flour is used for baked products such as: cereals, pizza, cake, cookies and artisanal breads. These alternatives are high in valuable nutrients.

You can avoid using bleached white flour by buying whole grain or gluten-free items or by using whole grain or gluten-free flour to bake and cook with at home. Your health is worth the extra time and investment spent on selecting a healthy alternative to bleached white flour.

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