Protein is certainly the buzz word in nutrition. Whether you are trying to gain weight, optimise metabolism or ward off weight gain associated with peri-menopause, you have probably heard that protein is a super-nutrient many of us need to be eating a lot more of. You may also have noticed that there is a growing selection of protein-rich supermarket foods, ranging from bread to pizza bases, yoghurt to ice-cream.
The question is, are these products really healthier? Protein bread Bread is one of the first dietary staples to get the boot on a low-carb diet, but there has been a growing range of higher protein bread options in supermarkets that can contain as much as 20g of protein per two slices. Typically heavy in grains and seeds, high-protein breads may also have ingredients such as bamboo and soy protein added to bump up the protein content. Protein-rich breads can certainly be a nutrient-rich addition to the diet, but they are fundamentally different nutritionally to regular bread in both taste and texture, creating a chewy texture that is not ideal for sandwiches.
If you do enjoy these products, keep in mind that along with the nutrients, they also tend to be higher in calories than regular wholegrain bread. Top choices Protein wraps Protein-rich loaves have ingredient lists that are relatively clean of additives, but protein wraps are a different kettle of fish. Made with a range of highly processed ingredients, a typical low-carb, high-protein wrap can contain protein .