We bake healthy bread: the right ingredients, GOST R certification and other tricks

Thinking about buying a bread machine and studying thematic sites and forums dedicated to it, sooner or later we notice that almost the only "minus" of this unit is the risk of quickly gaining extra pounds. This fear has every reason - even ardent advocates of diets are difficult to resist before fresh, warm and aromatic bread. However, in addition to soft rolls and sweet buns in a bread machine, you can also bake low-calorie, healthy bread, enriching it with tasty and healthy additives.

The simplest solution is to refuse baking from premium wheat flour, preferring wholegrain, rye, wallpaper and wheat germ flour. Bread made from such flour is rich in fiber - dietary fiber that is not digested in the body, but easily and effectively remove toxins, free radicals and cellular decay products from it, help lower cholesterol levels, and improve peristalsis. This is exactly the kind of bread GOST R certification classifies as dietary and low calorie. According to numerous studies, bread made from whole grain flour reduces the risk of cancer and heart disease, type II diabetes and obesity, improves gastrointestinal tract activity, stimulates the immune system, it is indicated for both children and the elderly. In addition to fiber, whole grain bread is rich in minerals, vitamins, antioxidants and other micronutrients that are valuable to health.

Photo by Crochet

You can make it even healthier with the help of additives, for example, nuts - hazelnuts, almonds, cashews. By the way, experienced bakers advise not to overdo it - the proportion of nuts should not be more than 10-15%. Such bread is an ideal fitness breakfast for those who are looking after their health and figure, it is rich in "slow carbohydrates" that do not harm the figure, but replenish energy reserves for a long time. In addition, nuts are a valuable source of minerals, they contain potassium, calcium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, are useful for muscles, bones, immunity, increase appetite and general body tone. When choosing them, be sure to make sure that the GOST R certification is indicated on the packaging and there is information about the passed radiological control.

As an additive to bread, you can also use seeds, for example, pumpkin seeds - a natural source of phosphorus, zinc, selenium and dozens of other microelements, vitamins of group B, E, PP. They normalize the work of the gastrointestinal tract, are useful for the functioning of the brain, heart, blood vessels, and effectively fight parasites. You can also add sunflower seeds, which improve appetite - whole grain bread with seeds will surely please the youngest members of the family and serve as a healthy alternative to sweets. Another useful supplement is flaxseed, which prevents atherosclerosis, lowers cholesterol levels, is good for skin, hair and nails, serves as a source of omega-3 fatty acids, and improves the condition of women during menopause.

You can safely put dried berries in homemade bread - blueberries, raspberries, currants, sea buckthorn, as well as dried fruits - prunes, dried apricots. Sweet berries serve as an alternative to refined sugar, in addition, they are rich in pectin, potassium, magnesium, improve bowel function, serve as a source of vitamins and even help to quit smoking and cope with stress from work or school. Raw materials can be either purchased (in this case, pay attention that the manufacturer has passed the GOST R certification) or homemade - the berries can be dried in the open air or in the oven.

Other useful and tasty additives include dried, sun-dried and fresh vegetables and fruits (onions, pumpkin, tomatoes, peppers, apples, seaweed and much more), because the bread maker allows you to realize the most daring "baking" fantasies. Such bread is rich in pectin - soluble dietary fiber that cleanses the gastrointestinal tract from toxins, restoring the beneficial microflora in it.