Pita bread is one of the oldest types of carbohydrates still consumed today, having been enjoyed for ages by ancient cultures. Wheat flour is used to make pita bread, a spherical flatbread that is yeast-leavened.Is pita bread healthy?
When baked, the dough separates into two layers. With hummus, veggies, lean meats, or vegetarian proteins like falafel, people frequently fill the pocket created by these layers.
Pita bread has a light hue and a delicate, billowy texture. It has less carbohydrates than other breads, contains more nutrients per serving, and is made using wheat flour rather than all-purpose flour.
Nutritional Data for Pita Bread
The USDA provides the following dietary data for a serving of pita bread (39 grammes).
Energy: 90.1
Fat: 0.998g
Sodium: 120 mg
Carbohydrates: 17g
Fiber: 1.99g
Sugar: 0.00
Proteins: 4.02g
Carbs
Pita bread has a carb count of 17 grammes per serving, which is somewhat more than the recommended carb count for diabetics (15 grammes). Non-keto bread contains 20 grammes of carbohydrates per serving or slice on average. Compared to most bread products on the market, pita bread has fewer carbs.
Fats
Brands of pita bread still include only a little amount of fat. Pita bread is a little under 2 grammes of total fatty fats, which is only 2% of the daily allowance (RDA). Additionally, there are no trans or saturated fats or fatty acids in the diet.
Protein
A 39-gram portion of pita bread has 4 grammes of protein. Wheat flour and dough conditioner are sources of protein.
Nutrients and vitamins
With 60.1 milligrammes of calcium per serving, or 6% of the RDA, pita bread also contains other minerals. You can simply boost your calcium intake at that meal or snack time when served with tzatziki sauce made with Greek yoghurt. Strong bones may be developed and maintained with the aid of calcium, which is especially important as you age.
Pita bread also contains iron, 1.08 milligrammes in each serving, or 6% of the RDA. Iron aids in the production of haemoglobin, a protein found in red blood cells that transports oxygen from the lungs.
120 milligrammes of sodium, or 5% of your RDA, are included in pita bread. This amount of sodium is regarded as low by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA), which defines low as anything with a sodium content of 5% or less.
You should still be mindful of your salt intake, though, and keep your daily intake to no more than 2,300 milligrammes. About 3,400 mg of sodium are consumed daily by the average American.
Calories
90 calories are found in one serving of pita bread. Pita bread has fewer calories than traditional two slices of bread, making it a better choice for sandwiches.
Is Pita Bread Healthy?
Pita bread is a popular choice among fans of carbohydrates since it provides several possible health advantages in a small quantity. These advantages consist of the following:
Brings Down Glucose Levels
Pita bread’s whole wheat content may help to lower blood glucose levels. According to the American Diabetes Association, choosing whole wheat bread over white bread will help prevent blood sugar spikes.Examples of such bread include pita bread.
Helps with Digestion
By promoting regular bowel movements, the fibre in whole grain pita bread can help your digestive system. Because complex carbs in meals breakdown more slowly than simple ones, they help you feel fuller for longer and manage your weight.
Provides a source of protein
Pita bread offers a good amount of protein. Based on a 2,000 calorie diet recommended by the Food and Drug Administration, a serving provides up to 8% of your daily recommended protein intake (FDA). A sufficient protein intake can promote healthy skin, hair, and nails as well as muscle regeneration.
Allergies
Three significant allergies or intolerances can prevent someone from eating pita bread. What you should know about each is detailed below.
Wheat Intolerance
A genetically prone population develops celiac disease, an autoimmune disease. Those who have the illness cannot consume even trace levels of gluten (a protein found in wheat). The small intestine may become damaged as a result.
Globally, one in 100 persons have celiac disease, according to the Celiac Disease Foundation. Speaking with a healthcare provider and getting tested are recommended if you have stomach pain after consuming wheat.
Allergy to wheat
Celiac disease and a wheat allergy are not the same, despite common misconceptions to the contrary. Your body makes antibodies to wheat proteins when you have a wheat allergy. The symptoms of a wheat allergy include anaphylaxis, mouth swelling and itching, nasal congestion, headache, cramps, nausea, vomiting, and difficulty breathing.
If you think you may have a wheat allergy, talk to your doctor about getting tested for it.
Intolerance to gluten
Although gluten intolerance is not the same as celiac disease, it can cause similar symptoms when you consume gluten-containing foods like pita bread. These signs include mental fog, depression, bloating, weariness, and joint and stomach pain.
The ideal time
Pita bread is best consumed the same day that it is cooked because it is prone to drying out. The pita can be kept in the fridge for up to two days if necessary if it is well wrapped in plastic. Make sure the bread has a spongy feel at the bakery or the supermarket store. Pita bread is certain to be fresh in this way.
Getting Ready
There are many ways to make pita bread. Here are some potential ways you might incorporate pita bread into your diet.
#1 Spread hummus or other dips on the bread.
#2 As an alternative to sliced bread, use the bread to make falafel, lean meat, or vegetable pita pocket sandwiches.
#3 To make pita chips, slice triangles of bread and bake them. Seasonings like paprika, black pepper, and salt are among the options.
#4 Slice the bread into little cubes, then toast. They can be used in salads and soups in place of croutons.
#5 Pita can be grilled to give the bread a smokey flavour.
