Rye Breaks the Fast Better

It is not groundbreaking news that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, for its role in maintaining good health and preventing overweight. Breakfast skippers tend to eat more food than required for lunch or nibble on high-calorie snacks. It is well documented that people tend to accumulate more body fat when they eat fewer, larger meals compared to when they eat the same number of calories in smaller, more frequent meals.

Rye, an Uncommon Health Food

Findings from a recent study from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences gives a great reason for grocery stores to no longer relegate rye products to obscure corners. By examining differences in appetite after consuming rye versus wheat breads and rye versus wheat porridge, the study found that rye-containing breakfasts helped maintain feelings of fullness longer and decreased desire to eat than wheat-containing break fasts. Thus, rye may be a powerful health food for weight-maintenance and loss, especially when consumed as breakfast.

The Many Health Benefits of Rye

Rye provides a wonderful health boost. In addition to being rich in protein, fiber, manganese (bone health), tryptophan (brain health) and other essential nutrients, the consumption of rye is associated with decreased risk of many serious health ailments, including type-2 diabetes and pre-and post-menopausal breast cancer.

Easy to Incorporate Rye into Your Diet

1. Switch it up by trying your favorite sandwiches on rye bread instead of wheat bread. Tip: read the ingredients label. Sometimes wheat breads can be masked as rye breads.

2. Try substituting some rye flour for wheat flour when making your favourite baked goods.

3. Like porridge? Boiling rolled rye flakes makes a healthy alternative to traditional oatmeal. This is a breakfast favourite in eastern European countries.

4. Check out “Ryvita”, which is a whole grain rye-containing cracker bread. It’s delicious, healthy, and available at most grocery stores in the bread section.

Don’t get me wrong! I’m not saying to abandon healthy, delicious, and hearty whole wheat, which is a staple in a healthy diet. But when it comes to rye versus wheat, rye is definitely the better way to break the fast.