Picky Eaters | Does the Crust Contain More Nutrients (2024)

Picky Eaters | Does the Crust Contain More Nutrients (1)

The kids are back in school which means more battles over lunches with your picky eater. This brings us to the perennial question of parents packingsandwiches for school lunch: if you cut the crust off your sandwich, do you lose all of the most valuable nutrients?

Does the Crust Contain More Nutrients?

Scientific studies have investigated whether the crusts of bread contain more nutrients than the moist, springy interior. The short answer is: yes, bread crusts do contain more nutrients. The reason for this is that the baking process causes the exterior of the bread to become firmer and more browned. This chemical baking process also results in changes to the nutrients in the crust of bread.

A 2002 research study from the American Chemical Society’s Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry found that compared to the pale inside of a piece of bread, the crust contained eight times as muchpronyl-lysine. Pronyl-lysine is an antioxidant that may reverse cellular damage, possibly lowering risk for cancer. The crust of bread also contains more dietary fiber than the insides.

Tips on Dealing with Picky Eaters

So what is a parent to do with a picky eater who insists on removing the crusts?

It is important to keep in mind that this is not the end of the world. Yes, the crust of bread contains more antioxidants and fiber than the inside. However, there are other strategies to increase your child’s intake of antioxidants and dietary fiber. For instance, it is best to switch to whole-wheat or whole-grain bread. These bread products naturally contain more dietary fiber and complex carbohydrates than white bread.

Additionally, adding healthy ingredients to the sandwich can make up for the antioxidants eliminated through removal of the crust. Stick to low-sodium deli meat and be judicious with condiment use. Adding fruits and vegetables that your child does enjoy to the lunchbox can help him or her get more antioxidants.

Finally, make an effort to help your child overcome pickiness about food. Consider some of the following tips:

  • Involve your child in food selection and preparation. For instance, you may make a game of finding a new fruit or vegetableat the grocery storeto add to school lunches.
  • Persistence pays off. Even if your child is picky, continue to serve healthy options. Eventually, many picky eaters will try foods as they become more familiar.
  • Serve healthy foods in fun ways. Can you cut a sandwich into a fun shape that still preserves some crust? Or make it a challenge to eat a food from every color of the rainbow in a single meal? Making new foods fun can help picky eaters overcome their hesitation.
  • Get creative with foods. Puree vegetables to add to a pasta sauce, or make a healthy zucchini cake for dessert. These methods add nutrients without causing battles over “strange” foods.

Just be diligent and the kids will come around! The best way to get them to eat healthy is to eat healthy yourself. They will follow your example.

Picky Eaters | Does the Crust Contain More Nutrients (2024)

FAQs

Picky Eaters | Does the Crust Contain More Nutrients? ›

The short answer is: yes, bread crusts do contain more nutrients. The reason for this is that the baking process causes the exterior of the bread to become firmer and more browned. This chemical baking process also results in changes to the nutrients in the crust of bread.

Is the crust of bread more calories? ›

How many less calories is bread without the crust? The calorie content of the crust is the same as that of the non-crust portion of the bread. So to answer your question, you'd have to figure out what the percentage of a slice of bread is crust.

Is bread crust good for your teeth? ›

While a staple of human consumption for millennia, bread is bad food for teeth on a number of levels. Its simple chemical structure means that carbohydrates become easily converted into sugars which fuel acid-producing bacteria in the mouth. Worse, hard breads and bread crusts can damage or break a tooth.

Why does bread have crust? ›

The formation of pronyl-lysine during baking is the result of the Maillard reaction – a chemical consequence from the heat (of the oven) between the amino acids and reducing sugars that creates a crunchy outer crust that is browner in color and more intensely flavored than the pillowy, pale crumb inside the bread.

What is the end crust of bread called? ›

The proper term is “heel,” according to the Cambridge Dictionary. Some may call it just “the end piece” or “the butt” when going with true informality. Some Redditors even refer to them as the “crusts,” a double whammy for both the outside of each slice and the end of the loaf itself.

Is the crust more nutritious? ›

The short answer is: yes, bread crusts do contain more nutrients. The reason for this is that the baking process causes the exterior of the bread to become firmer and more browned. This chemical baking process also results in changes to the nutrients in the crust of bread.

Does the end of the bread have more nutrients? ›

The "heel", as a loaf's end-piece is known, is just as nutritional as any other slice.

How many calories do you save by cutting the crust off bread? ›

The secret: Removing the crusts, trims away approximately 40% of “bread calories” by weight for each sandwich.

What nutrients are in bread? ›

Bread provides several nutrients such as sugar, protein, iron, calcium and a variety of vitamins [5]. An average daily intake of 300 g of bread can provide the nutrients needed by the body and create a desired nutritional status [6].

How many carbs are in bread crust? ›

Bread, white, commercially prepared, toasted, 1 slice crust not eaten
Protein (g)0.99
Total lipid (fat) (g)0.44
Carbohydrate, by difference (g)5.98
Energy (kcal)32.23
Sugars, total (g)0.52
34 more rows

What is a filling between two slices of bread called? ›

When you put something between slices of bread, it's a sandwich. It's named for the Fourth Earl of Sandwich who's credited with inventing it. Sandwich is a verb too, that describes putting something between two other things, like sandwiching gym class between math and lunch.

What is the hair in bread called? ›

According to the FDA, L-Cysteine is generally regarded as safe for consumption. This amino acid is commonly used as a dough conditioner in bread-making, as it helps to improve the texture and shelf-life of bread. L-Cysteine can be derived from a variety of sources, including human hair, duck feathers, and hog hair.

What is the first slice of bread called? ›

Here are the two most common answers: Some people say it's obviously the “HEEL” . . . and other people have always just called it the “END PIECE.”…but I've added a third and demand it to be considered “common”, it's the “BUTT”! A few more that people mentioned include “the end bread” . . . “

Is bread less calories without the crust? ›

Trim away crusts. Slice in half. Enjoy. The secret: Removing the crusts, trims away approximately 40% of “bread calories” by weight for each sandwich.

Does thick crust have more calories? ›

Difference in Calories: Thick crust pizzas tend to have higher calorie counts per slice due to their denser dough and increased toppings, making them a more indulgent choice.

Is there more carbs in the crust? ›

Crust accounts for most of the carbs in pizza. A medium (12-inch) thin-crust pizza without any cheese and toppings has 17 grams of carbs per slice. A regular-crust pizza averages 30 grams of carbs per slice.

How many calories in a piece of crusty bread? ›

Other sizes: 1 slice of small - 88kcal, 1 slice of large - 263kcal, 100 g - 274kcal, Other sizes: 1 serving - 167kcal, 100 g - 340kcal, more...

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