Which bread is better: whole wheat or whole grain?
- Andrew*

Both are good choices. The word "whole" is what you want to look for on the label. It means the bread was made using the entire kernel, which offers the most nutritional value.

• Whole wheat means that the bread is made from the entire wheat kernel.
• Whole grain means that the bread can be made of any whole-grain kernel. That grain may be wheat or it could be another grain like spelt or barley. The bread might even be made using a mixture of different whole grains.

Lots of breads are labeled "wheat" or "multigrain," but these words alone (without the word "whole" attached) can be misleading. If you don't see the word "whole" on the package, it means the bread might not be made from the entire kernel.

If you're not sure, look at the ingredient list to see if the first ingredient is "whole-wheat flour" (or other kind of whole grain). And check the nutrition information panel to be sure the bread gives you 3 grams or more of fiber per serving.

Reviewed by: Mary L. Gavin, MD
Date reviewed: April 2011

*Names have been changed to protect user privacy.