OUR DAILY BREAD

When we find a good bread that meets our requirements—whole grain, SOS-free (sugar, oil, salt minimized)—we buy as much as our freezer will hold.  Let me tell you about 2 pita breads that work for us—TOUFAYAN WHOLE WHEAT PITA, available locally at Food Lion and Superfresh and MIDDLE EAST BAKERY WHOLE WHEAT PITA, available locally during the summer at Lloyd’s on Savannah Rd. in Lewes.

We like these particular whole grain pitas because they are made of 100% whole wheat flour and have no added oil. We know this to be so because food labeling laws require the NUTRITION FACTS label on the back of the package to be accurate and true.  Everything else on the package can be and often is misleading! (See the NUTRITION FACTS label pictured below.)

So how does one get useful information from the NUTRITION FACTS label?  First, look at the INGREDIENTS section of the NUTRITION FACTS label.  Sometimes everything you need to know is right there.  To make sure the flour is 100% whole grain, the DIETARY FIBER should read at least 3 g/serving, which it does.  To make sure there is no added oil, the CALORIES FROM FAT should read 0, which it does.  To make sure the salt content is minimal, the CALORIES # should equal or be very close to the SODIUM #.  The SODIUM # is a little higher, but acceptable to us.

With a little practice, you will be able to evaluate any label in a snap! But who cares?  You do and so do I, because we want the best nutrition money can buy.  Oil and salt and enriched flours can undermine our health and our weight.  It pays to be vigilant and read the NUTRITION FACTS label.

Now it’s time for lunch.  We’ll cut our pita in half, open the pockets and stuff them with beans, potatoes, and salad.  Or pick a fresh tomato, slice a cucumber and an onion, drizzle a little balsamic vinegar, and add a few basil leaves.  So good toasted with a fresh cup of gazpacho!  Enjoy!