Why You Should Never Buy Bread Again (& A Secret Recipe You Can’t Bear To Miss!)

When was the last time you read the ingredients on your store-bought loaf of bread? We bet that if you did, you’d find plenty of things that don’t belong in bread. Things like preservatives (to extend shelf life), artificial flavours (to enhance the taste), and a lot of sugar (to create a uniform texture from loaf to loaf and add to the taste) can be found. There are of course some benefits to store-bought bread, such as that it’s widely accessible, consistent (you’re not going to buy a bad loaf of bread), and somewhat budget-friendly. But how harmful is it really?

Today we’re doing a deep dive into why you should never buy bread again, and we’re even including our favourite bread recipe that is simple and beginner-friendly. Once you try it, you won’t be buying bread ever again! If you want to scroll to the bottom, that’s where you’ll find our favourite bread recipe. Once you try it, you won’t be able to go back to store-bought ever again!

 

1. Added Preservatives 

Store-bought bread is packed with preservatives. This helps the bread be able to last and have a uniform texture and taste among loaves. Preservatives are known for their ability to transform into carcinogen agents. They’re not needed, and most definitely, not healthy. But you won’t find a loaf of store-bought bread without it! Below are some of the most common preservatives you can expect in store-bought bread.

• Calcium propionate prevents the growth of mold and extends shelf life.
• Potassium sulfate prevents mold and yeast growth.
• Sodium benzoate stops microbial growth.
• Propyl gallate works to stop the oxidation of fats and oils in the bread.
• Sorbic Acid works similarly to potassium sorbate.
• Ascorbic acid improves the bread texture.

2. High in sugars

The next time you’re buying bread from the store, take a peek at the ingredients and where sugar falls on it. (Notice if it’s closer to the beginning of the ingredient list or closer to the end, as this indicates how much is in the bread.) However, you won’t just see the word “sugar.” In fact, you might see a couple of different words that indicate sugar. Sugar does more than just sweeten the bread. It can raise your blood pressure, make you insulin resistant, give you dental issues, contribute to obesity, and initiate type 2 diabetes. Below are some common sugars found in store-bought bread.

• High-Fructose Corn Syrup
• Cane Sugar (Sucrose)
• Brown Sugar
• Honey
• Molasses
• Maple Syrup
• Agave Syrup
• Dextrose
• Lactose
• Corn Syrup
• Invert Sugar
• Treacle
• Date Syrup

3. Excessive Sodium

Store-bought bread is loaded with sodium. Too much sodium can raise blood pressure, ignite cardiovascular disease, cause kidney damage, increase thirst, and much more. Sodium acts as a preservative, which is why it’s often found in commercial bread. It improves the texture and enhances the flavour, but it doesn’t come without its own risks. For example, too much sodium can cause heart disease, kidney issues, strokes, and heart attacks.

4. High in Trans Fat

Store-bought bread is usually quite high in trans fat, which poses its own unique challenges. It’s found in bread to extend the shelf life, improve the texture, and offer consistency among different loaves. However, it’s awful for your health. It can increase the risk of heart disease, worsen metabolic health, and cause weight gain, along with many other serious issues.

5. Environmental Impact

Purchasing store-bought bread has a heavy environmental impact. From production to packaging to transportation, every stage has its own negative consequences for the environment.

Does That Mean You Shouldn’t Eat Bread?

It most certainly does not! In fact, you can scroll to the bottom to find a secret recipe that makes a dreamy loaf of bread you’ll have on repeat. Store-bought bread is filled with things that can have a direct impact on your health. From the extremely high sodium level to the trans fats and everything in between, store-bought bread has many components we should all be aware of.

Swap Store-Bought Bread With This Recipe

Imagine a scent so delicious that it’s seemingly inviting you to investigate. What is that glorious smell? You inhale slowly, and as the aroma fills your nostrils, your tummy lets out a grumble. It’s like your body just knows, even though your brain is still putting it together. You exhale gently and place a hand on your belly, thinking, “Keep quiet.” This is the best scent for you. It’s the scent of hard work, elbow grease, and care. It’s the scent of intention: choosing healthy things for yourself and taking charge of your health. But, most people would say, it’s the aroma of freshly baked bread.

Imagine a bread that has a dense to a fluffy texture, a crust around it baked in honey, giving it that perfect touch of sweetness, and baked with oats to add to the fibre content. A slice of this bread, and you’ll never look at store-bought bread the same again. Don’t worry, we’re not gatekeeping. Keep reading for the recipe and all the details so you can make the best bread you’ve ever had!

Honey Oat Baked Bread

Ingredients

• 3 cups of flour
• ¾ cups oats
• 2 ¼ tsp instant yeast
• 1 ½ tsp salt
• 1 cup milk
• ¼ cup lukewarm water
• 2 tbsp. unsalted butter
• ¼ cup honey

Topping

• 1 ½ – 2 tbsp of honey warmed
• 1 ½ – 2 tbsp. oats

The Process

1. In a large bowl, combine the flour, yeast, oats, and salt.
2. In a small bowl, warm the milk so it’s warm enough to melt the butter. Add the butter, stir until combined, and add in water and honey.
3. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry.
4. Knead for 10ish minutes.
5. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let it rise until it’s doubled in size. (30 minutes—one hour.)
6. Once it’s doubled, work the dough again into the shape of a loaf and set it into a loaf pan.
7. Cover with a clean, dry towel and allow it to rise again until it’s doubled in size. (30 minutes—one hour.)
8. Preheat oven to 350.
9. Place a loaf pan on the bottom rack of the oven and boil 2 cups of water. 
10. Once the loaf has doubled in size, brush the top with warm honey and sprinkle with oats.
11. Bake for 40–50 minutes and transfer to a cooling rack.
12. Enjoy!!

The Takeaway

As you can see from above, store-bought bread contains many potentially harmful ingredients. It’s packed with unnecessary preservatives, sugars, sodium, and much more. Our bread recipe is made with simple ingredients, and you don’t need any special equipment. Our honey oat bread makes fantastic toast and a wonderful bread for sandwiches. It’s a hint of sweetness thanks to the honey and very filling. So the next time you need bread, why not try ours? It’s healthier and tastes way better than store-bought!