Is White Whole Wheat Bread a Scam?

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You've seen white whole wheat bread at the supermarket, but it seems like a nutritional oxymoron. Here, an expert explains how a loaf can be both white and whole wheat.

By Bethany Gumper

Q. I've seen white whole wheat bread at the supermarket. How can a loaf be both?

A. These lighter-colored loaves are indeed whole wheat. They're simply made with a different unrefined grain -- one that is white instead of the traditional red, says American Dietetic Association spokesperson Jeannie Gazzaniga-Moloo, PhD, RD. How do the two types stack up in a sandwich smackdown? They're equally matched in terms of nutrition; however, the white has a milder, sweeter taste. To make sure you're choosing the slice that's smartest for you, check the bread's label to see that the first ingredient listed contains the word whole. Products that use sneaky terms like multigrain, seven grain, and cracked wheat are often not nearly as healthy as they sound.

Originally published in FITNESS magazine, January 2010.