Are Bagels Really That Bad For You?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Are bagels really that bad for you? Bagels are frequently made with refined wheat flour and sugar. Plus, portion sizes are often too large. Still,

with a few modifications, they can fit into a healthy diet

. For optimal health, be mindful of your portion size and choose bagels and toppings made from whole, minimally processed ingredients.

Are bagels healthier than regular bread?


Just one plain white bagel can account for about 300 calories, compared to around 90 calories per plain slice of white bread

, according to Being Healthy TV. Half a bagel is a better substitute for morning toast, but remember that it will still equal almost two slices of bread in caloric content.

Is one bagel a day bad for you?

Bottom line. No one food is going to make or break your diet, so

go ahead and enjoy a bagel or two every now and again

. If you eat bagels regularly, choose whole-grain and pair with veggies, protein and healthy fat to stay full for hours and keep blood sugar stable.

Are bagels as bad as bread?

In terms of carbs and calories,

there are about 3.15 slices of bread in the average plain bagel

(a bagel contains 245 calories, a slice of bread has 79 calories). Obviously this varies greatly if your local bakery makes massive bagels or baby-bite bagels.

Is a bagel an unhealthy breakfast?

“Typically made of low-fiber refined grains, bagels are often quite large, providing half of your daily grain needs in just one meal,” explains Delvito.

White bagels also have a higher glycemic index, meaning they’ll spike your blood sugar faster, leaving you susceptible to that gnarly mid-afternoon crash.

Do bagels cause weight gain?


Increased consumption over time can lead to weight gain

.

“Eating too many bagels with about 500 calories each vs. 80 calories for one slice of bread can lead to overeating and ultimately weight gain,” Amador said. “This would happen over time, depending on how many bagels you are eating and the size of the bagels.”

How many bagels should I eat a day?

It’s much smarter to stick to

half a bagel

and just enjoy the other half for another breakfast. Bottom Line: Save the bagels for one day a week. When you do enjoy it, have a half along with some protein to help keep you satisfied.

Which bagel is healthiest?

1)

Whole-Wheat Bagels

: Whole-wheat bagels are the healthiest choice, says Hunnes, because they provide a substantial amount of fiber (which helps keep your digestive system healthy), protein, vitamins, minerals and a variety of phytochemicals that improve digestion, reduce inflammation and lower cholesterol.

Why are store bought bagels so bad?

Bagels naturally contain a high carbohydrate content—they are bread after all. Many of these store-bought bagels also

contain high added sugar content

, which will burn through your system quickly and leave you hungry well before lunchtime.

Are bagels with cream cheese unhealthy?

Although quick and absolutely delicious,

a bagel smothered in cream cheese probably isn’t the best way to start your day

. If you’re trying to be more calorie-conscious, opt for a whole grain bagel with reduced fat cream cheese — or better yet, try a nut butter spread instead.

How many calories do you save by scooping out a bagel?

Scooping out a typical bagel saves you

75 to 100 calories

, says Jessica Levinson, RD, nutritionist at Nutritioulicious. Not a huge savings, but it’s the equivalent of a slice of bread.

What are the healthiest breads to eat?

  1. Sprouted whole grain. Sprouted bread is made from whole grains that have started to sprout from exposure to heat and moisture. …
  2. Sourdough. …
  3. 100% whole wheat. …
  4. Oat bread. …
  5. Flax bread. …
  6. 100% sprouted rye bread. …
  7. Healthy gluten-free bread.

Are Everything Bagels healthier than plain?

In terms of the healthiest bagels, plain may seem like the obvious choice but Taub-Dix notes that

seed-rich sesame and everything bagels contain heart-healthy fat and fiber

. Rye, pumpernickel, oat and whole-wheat are also good choices.

Are bagels processed foods?

Refined grains.


Many bagels are made from white flour, which is a refined grain

. Refined grains are processed for finer texture and improved shelf life. This also removes nutrients, such as fiber and B vitamins. Some refined grains may be enriched with the iron and B vitamins added back in.

Are bagels healthier than cereal?

Healthy Substitutes


Bagels are healthier than breakfast pastries

, such as croissants and doughnuts, because they contain less fat. They also contain less sugar than many sweetened cereals and muffins.

Is bagel and peanut butter healthy?

Because of the protein,

a peanut butter bagel should satisfy your hunger for a long time, too

, while doughnuts probably won’t. If you choose carefully, bagels offer another advantage: nutritious whole grains.

What are the worst foods for breakfast?

  • Doughnut and pastries. Doughnuts will cost you 250 to 550 calories, but the 15 to 30 grams of sugar in each is the real problem. …
  • Sausage biscuit. The sausage biscuit is basically a saturated fat and sodium bomb. …
  • Flavored non-dairy creamer. …
  • Bright, sugary cereals. …
  • Loaded bagel.

What is the best bread when losing weight?


Whole grain bread

is the healthiest pick for weight. It provides you with the nutrition of several whole grains like oats, barley, corn and others. Whole grain means whole kernel -the bran, germ and endosperm, which makes them highly nutritious.

Does bread add to belly fat?

It’s not carbohydrates, per se, that lead to weight gain, but the type of carbs eaten. Their research shows that

people who ate more refined and processed foods, such as white bread and white rice, had more belly fat.

Why are bagels so good?

According to Chef Richard Coppedge of the Culinary Institute of America,

boiling them anywhere from 30 seconds to 3 minutes is what makes bagels glossy and crunchy on the outside while keeping the inside dense and chewy

.

How long does it take to digest a bagel?

Bagel will go through in

2 hours or less

.

When should you eat a bagel?

A bagel should be eaten warm and, ideally, should be

no more than four or five hours old

when consumed. A few more bagel stipulations from my Times story: Bagels do not need six ounces of cream cheese on them.

Are bagels clean eating?

Bagels are frequently made with refined wheat flour and sugar. Plus, portion sizes are often too large. Still,

with a few modifications, they can fit into a healthy diet

. For optimal health, be mindful of your portion size and choose bagels and toppings made from whole, minimally processed ingredients.

How do you make bagels healthier?

You may want to skip classic cream cheese and butter spreads and, instead,

opt for something with protein to make the brekkie well-rounded

. Nut butters, eggs, fish and avocado are all toppings that can amp up the healthfulness of your bagel. Adding vegetables and fruit is always a good idea, too.

Are English muffins healthier than bagels?

Opting for a 100% whole wheat English muffin likewise serves a similar nutritional value. It also provides 25 grams of whole grain per serving and is considered a good source of dietary fiber. Which should you choose?

The nutrition of English muffins makes them a more obvious health choice over bagels

.

Are fresh bagels better?

Simply put,

fresh bagels should almost never be toasted

The chefs Insider spoke to all agreed that toasting a freshly baked bagel is both unnecessary and possibly harmful to the food’s overall flavor and texture.

Why dont they slice bagels all the way?

“The reason why they’re not cut all the way through is because

the bagels are propelled through a spinning blade and they’re spit out at a very high velocity, and if they’re cut all the way through- the tops and the bottoms would separate

,” Trust said.

Is cinnamon raisin bagel healthy?

Are Cinnamon Raisin Bagels healthy for you? Regular cinnamon raisin bagels are actually very high in carbs and sugar, and might not be the very healthy;

This recipe uses whole wheat flour though, and is actually healthy

.

Is it healthier to eat a bagel with butter or cream cheese?

For some people,

cream cheese provides a benefit because it is lower in fat and calories than butter

. 2 But it is not always a better choice. In the battle between butter and cream cheese, your lower calorie and lower fat choice is cream cheese—if you compare the bar versions of both products.

How are you supposed to eat a bagel?

  1. Closed Sandwich. Sliced into quarters and eaten like a normal person. …
  2. Open Faced. Instead of slicing into quarters, slice in half and eat open faced. …
  3. Rip-and-dip. Instead of putting anything on the bagel, you simply rip-and-dip a fresh bagel. …
  4. mobious strip.

What is healthier bagel with cream cheese or butter?


Butter is higher in calories, fats, and specifically saturated fats

. It is richer in vitamins A, E, and K and lower in sodium. On the other hand, cream cheese is richer in protein, phosphorus, calcium, zinc, and B complex vitamins.

How fattening is a bagel with cream cheese?

Examining a Bagel and Calories

That 4 1/2-ounce bagel has about 360 calories.

Add 1 tablespoon of cream cheese, and that’s another 70 calories

. That bagel delivers far more refined carbohydrates than a slice of white bread, which weighs in at only 1 ounce and has 79 calories.

Should I scoop out my bagel?

Bagels tend to be low in fiber and protein and very high in carbs and sodium — not exactly the ingredients for a slim body. So,

scooping a bagel won’t leave you missing anything important, but it will help you cut excess calories and carbs — but only if you throw out the dough you scooped

. Don’t nibble on it.

How many carbs are in a gutted bagel?

A regular bagel weighed approximately 5.0 oz. and 145 g, which equals 373 calories and

80 g

of carbs. A “scooped out” bagel weighed approximately 4.0 oz. and 113 g, which equals 293 calories and 63 g of carbs.

What can I eat instead of bread?

  • Oatcakes.
  • Wholegrain Crackers.
  • Flatbreads.
  • Lettuce leaves.
  • Cabbage leaves.
  • Collard leaves.
  • Oat pancakes.
  • Karelian pastries.

What is the healthiest breakfast to eat?

  1. Eggs. Eggs make a simple, nutritious breakfast choice. …
  2. Greek yogurt. Greek yogurt is a great option if you’re looking for a quick breakfast. …
  3. Coffee. Aside from water, coffee is the world’s most popular beverage. …
  4. Oatmeal. …
  5. Chia seeds. …
  6. Berries. …
  7. Cottage cheese. …
  8. Whole wheat toast.
Sophia Kim
Author
Sophia Kim
Sophia Kim is a food writer with a passion for cooking and entertaining. She has worked in various restaurants and catering companies, and has written for several food publications. Sophia's expertise in cooking and entertaining will help you create memorable meals and events.