multi grain

Barbecue season has basically come to an end and pizza is taking over now. While we may be tempted to order a meat lover's pizza with extra cheese (this is NOT on the Atkins Diet by the way), we should rethink our topping choices so we can still have our pizza and enjoy it too! Plus, besides pizza being yummy, it can also be really good for you (think lycopene in the tomato sauce and veggies galore).

Here are some fabulous ideas from MSN for keeping your pizza healthy and tasty:

• Vegetables are by far the best topping for a pizza and offer a wide range of options. Experiment with different varieties such as green and red peppers, zucchini, broccoli, or be adventurous and pick a fruity topping like pineapple or mango.
• Cheese belongs to the Milk and Alternatives food group and is an excellent source of calcium and protein. Keep the fat content to a reasonable amount by ordering regular cheese, rather than "double." (I personally like to order "light" cheese, most pizza guys will know what you mean.)
• Meat is a source of protein - and fat. Leaner choices are chicken and ham. Typically, pepperoni is leaner than beef and sausage. Multi-meat pizzas contain high levels of fat, calories and salt.
• Crusts made from whole wheat or multi grain are more nutritious. They deliver a boost of fiber and fewer calories than traditional dough crusts.

Source

Remember when I told you guys about Krispy Kreme's foray into whole wheat doughnuts? Some of you thought it was great, while others thought it was a dumb marketing ploy. Well, a few months later, they've got a new doughnut for you to weigh in on. This time it's a multigrain cake doughnut made with seven grains and topped with an oatmeal crisp crunch. For now it's just a limited time treat (starting July 9) made with molasses and brown sugar with a slight pecan flavor to it. Sure, seven grains sounds healthy, but last I heard, a doughnut is still a doughnut.

Source: PR Newswire

I just wanted to review the difference between multi-grain and whole grain breads, since they both sound so healthy.

Multigrain simply means the bread or product is made from at least two different types of grain like wheat, oats and barley. However the term gives no indication if the whole grain was used, or if the grain was refined in any way.

On the other hand, whole grain means the bread or baked good includes the nutritious bran and germ of the grain. So the product contains the fiber, magnesium, vitamin B6 and vitamin E and other important phytonutrients. You're getting all the grain has to offer; it has been stripped of nothing.

Fit's Tip: No matter how many grains are involved in a multigrain bread, if the grains have been refined and the bran and germ of the grain have been removed you are missing out on valuable nutrients. So read your labels carefully and look for products with the whole grain stamp.

Source