When you want to eat healthier, bread is often one of the first foods you consider cutting out. But not all grains are the same in terms of carbohydrates. While cutting out white bread might help you lose some weight, cutting out whole – grain bread can deprive your body of essential nutrients.
- Nail Problems: Whole – grain bread is a good source of magnesium, important for protein synthesis and nail health. A magnesium deficiency can cause vertical ridges in nails. If cutting out bread means not getting enough magnesium from other sources, it can weaken your nails.
- Leg Cramps: People trying to lose weight may experiment with very low – carb diets. Cutting out bread completely, like in a keto diet, can lead to leg cramps. These cramps usually happen at night and can last from seconds to minutes. Bread is rich in electrolytes, and a lack of them can cause cramping.
- Fatigue: While white bread isn’t the best for getting carbs, moderate consumption of whole – wheat and sprouted – grain bread can keep you energized. These breads are rich in iron, fiber, and magnesium, making you feel full and energetic, and giving you the energy to exercise after work.
- Weight Gain: Some people might eat other high – calorie foods to replace bread, which can lead to weight gain instead of loss.
- Sugar Cravings: Bread provides energy. Without it, you need to find other energy sources. When tired, we often reach for sugary foods for a quick energy boost. Moderate bread – eating won’t make you gain weight, but cookies and chocolate when exhausted will.
- Digestive Issues: Cutting out white bread may not be a problem, but cutting out whole – grain or rye bread can cause constipation. Whole – grain bread is high in fiber, which helps digestion and is more effective than laxatives for relieving constipation.
- Mood Swings: Eating carbohydrates releases serotonin, which makes you feel good and suppresses appetite. So, having a healthy carb occasionally can improve your mood and keep you from feeling hungry.
- Hair Loss: Carbohydrates are an important energy source for the body, including hair follicles. A low – carb diet (like no bread) can reduce the energy needed for healthy hair growth, leading to more hair shedding as the body focuses on essential functions during energy shortage.
- Increased Heart Disease Risk: The types of grains you cut from your diet matter for heart health. Refined carbohydrates can increase heart – disease risk, while whole grains can lower cholesterol and prevent heart problems.