What is the healthiest meat and bread to make a sandwich with?

runswithascript

I have a bit of a bread dilemma, perhaps more accurately a sandwich dilemma.

A few years ago I tried McCambridge's stoneground bread which I understand to be the healthiest bread on the Irish market - correct me if I am wrong - but I soon got bored of it and have been trying many other types of bread since.

My favourite tasting bread would be white bread, mainly a large white bread loaf baked the same day in the likes of SuperValu, that and sesame seed bagels, and I am about to have a sesame seed ciabatta, but I know all white bread is bad for you.

I also tried wraps, which were great because when you make a wrap it's mainly filling so you're not filling up too much bread and I got to try sandwiches with things unusual for me like peppers and sweetcorn. I have since read online about all the bad preservatives in wraps, which makes sense considering how long you can keep them in your kitchen press. So although they are low fat etc, the preservatives are very bad.

I am back to college next week and looking for something tasty and healthy I can make sandwiches with, please recommend.

Also, what is the healthiest meat to put in my sandwiches? For a time I was boiling a ham each week and using that because I thought it would be healthier than store bought ham but I am currently using parma ham because it seems very light.

Stench Blossoms

The healthiest sandwich is the one made out of no bread.

Would you considering making a 'wrap' using lettuce leaves to replace the bread?

smcgiff

Turkey?

LaChatteGitane

The 'healthiest' meat would be meat from animals that had a good and happy life. Plus the less it has been processed the better it would be.
I would say no to parma ham and yes to poached turkey/chicken.

And if you have to eat bread the same applies - the less processed the 'healthier' it will be. White bread, no. Wholegrain - homemade preferably, yes.

Transform

LaChatteGitane wrote: »

The 'healthiest' meat would be meat from animals that had a good and happy life. Plus the less it has been processed the better it would be.
I would say no to parma ham and yes to poached turkey/chicken.

And if you have to eat bread the same applies - the less processed the 'healthier' it will be. White bread, no. Wholegrain - homemade preferably, yes.

the fact that something is wholegrain makes no difference what so ever - bread is bread.

what SB said

wandatowell

LaChatteGitane wrote: »

The 'healthiest' meat would be meat from animals that had a good and happy life

Is this an actual fact or it just something that people say to make others feel guilty?

A mate of my from work raises turkeys and I got one from him for Christmas, it was without a doubt the nicest bird I've ever eaten. My whole family couldnt believe the difference in taste (and Im guessing quality too) when compared to previous turkey's so the idea that the meat is better does ring through for me.

wandatowell

dusf wrote: »

A few years ago I tried McCambridge's stoneground bread which I understand to be the healthiest bread on the Irish market - correct me if I am wrong - but I soon got bored of it and have been trying many other types of bread since.

Have you tried maybe varying what you put on the bread as opposed to just changing breads?

Glenbhoy

dusf wrote: »

A few years ago I tried McCambridge's stoneground bread which I understand to be the healthiest bread on the Irish market - correct me if I am wrong - but I soon got bored of it and have been trying many other types of bread since.

I wouldn't be a fan of McCambridge's - bit tasteless imo. Try Rankins Brown Soda bread or Wheaten Bread. The best store bought wheaten/brown bread/soda bread types out there imo.

Transform

ahem wheatbelly

LaChatteGitane

Transform wrote: »

the fact that something is wholegrain makes no difference what so ever - bread is bread.

what SB said

It makes no difference ? Depends on the question the op asked.
If you desperately need to eat bread, I'd assume there would be more nutrients and fibers in wholegrain than in white bread.

wandatowell wrote: »

Is this an actual fact or it just something that people say to make others feel guilty?

A mate of my from work raises turkeys and I got one from him for Christmas, it was without a doubt the nicest bird I've ever eaten. My whole family couldnt believe the difference in taste (and Im guessing quality too) when compared to previous turkey's so the idea that the meat is better does ring through for me.

You are talking about 'taste', I was talking about the 'healthy' option.

runswithascript

Stench Blossoms wrote: »

The healthiest sandwich is the one made out of no bread.

LaChatteGitane wrote: »

And if you have to eat bread the same applies - the less processed the 'healthier' it will be. White bread, no. Wholegrain - homemade preferably, yes.

Transform wrote: »

the fact that something is wholegrain makes no difference what so ever - bread is bread.

Transform wrote: »

ahem wheatbelly

LaChatteGitane wrote: »

If you desperately need to eat bread, I'd assume there would be more nutrients and fibers in wholegrain than in white bread.

Desperately need to eat bread? Really?

Can all bread truly be bad for us, even McCambridge wholegrain stoneground which as far as I know uses the good kind of wheat and flour etc? Perhaps it is just that you guys are on a carb free diet?

Stench Blossoms wrote: »

Would you considering making a 'wrap' using lettuce leaves to replace the bread?

I would consider it, but I can see that becoming very messy and tedious not containing the contents and only being able to use the largest of leaves and as such having to buy lettuce every day.

smcgiff wrote: »

Turkey?

LaChatteGitane wrote: »

The 'healthiest' meat would be meat from animals that had a good and happy life. Plus the less it has been processed the better it would be.
I would say no to parma ham and yes to poached turkey/chicken.

I am hearing a lot of good about turkey lately, not least because Christmas has just passed us. Where can I buy free range Turkey breasts? Do you know if I can get them in Dunnes or Aldi? I cannot see myself boiling a huge Turkey each week...

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall has me eating entirely free range chicken and eggs the last few months for the health benefits. Something like 10 times the omega 3 in free range eggs etc.

wandatowell wrote: »

Is this an actual fact or it just something that people say to make others feel guilty?

If you are talking about free range it is definitely much much better for you and much much tastier. I hate when I end up eating non free range because I know I am missing out so much.

wandatowell wrote: »

Have you tried maybe varying what you put on the bread as opposed to just changing breads?

Yes, but since bread is something I have every day I am mainly focussing on that. That said I have asked what people would recommend as healthy in sandwiches too. Today I had smoked salmon, like I have said right now it's mainly parma but I used to eat a lot of home boiled (sometimes also roasted) ham. What would you recommend?

Glenbhoy wrote: »

I wouldn't be a fan of McCambridge's - bit tasteless imo. Try Rankins Brown Soda bread or Wheaten Bread. The best store bought wheaten/brown bread/soda bread types out there imo.

Yes, McBridges can become a bit tasteless after you have had it for awhile but I think the secret might be to make sure your sandwich is lush with tomatoes and some mustard and maybe mayo, and to also make sure there is a lot of filling ovreall compared to the bread.

When you say best do you mean taste or healthwise? If the latter have you compared the ingredients and researched this etc?

Just reading somewhere else the ingredients of McCambirdge: 'Fresh Buttermilk, Wholemeal Flour, Wheatflour, Bicarbonate of Soda, Salt, Wheatgerm' - I think it's the wholemeal flour that makes it wholegrain? Are those complex carbohydrates not good for us?

Would something without any Wheatflour be better for us?

Thanks for all the replies, keep them coming the big shop's coming up

wandatowell

LaChatteGitane wrote: »

You are talking about 'taste', I was talking about the 'healthy' option.

That's what I thought I asked in the first part of my post. Is it proven that its healthier option??

I'd hazard a guess and say it is healthier but I'm wondering is there any science to back it up?

runswithascript

wandatowell wrote: »

That's what I thought I asked in the first part of my post. Is it proven that its healthier option??

I'd hazard a guess and say it is healthier but I'm wondering is there any science to back it up?

Well do not animals free and happy equal free range animals? It should not be hard to find science backing up the health benefits from free range produce.

LaChatteGitane

dusf wrote: »

Well do not animals free and happy equal free range animals? It should not be hard to find science backing up the health benefits from free range produce.

That is indeed what I meant.
One would hope that they also have been fed on natural feed and not been medicated with antibiotics and growing hormones.
It would also translate to what the flavour of the meat is like, but taste is very subjective.

I am currently on a low carb diet for health reasons, but I don't see why you, OP, as a young healthy person should not be eating bread. Eat a wide selection of foods (plenty of variety) of all the food groups and you should be fine.
If you like eating parma ham, then do so, but I suggest you don't eat the same thing every day.

Glenbhoy

dusf wrote: »

[

Yes, McBridges can become a bit tasteless after you have had it for awhile but I think the secret might be to make sure your sandwich is lush with tomatoes and some mustard and maybe mayo, and to also make sure there is a lot of filling ovreall compared to the bread.

When you say best do you mean taste or healthwise? If the latter have you compared the ingredients and researched this etc?

Just reading somewhere else the ingredients of McCambirdge: 'Fresh Buttermilk, Wholemeal Flour, Wheatflour, Bicarbonate of Soda, Salt, Wheatgerm' - I think it's the wholemeal flour that makes it wholegrain? Are those complex carbohydrates not good for us?

Taste (closest to my mother's, still a distance away, but, closer!!)

Ingredients are: Buttermilk 46%, Wholemeal Flour, Sugar, Vegetable Oil, Oat Flakes, Potassium Carbonate (raising agent), Salt, Emulsifiers, Preservatives, Flavouring and Colouring (beta carotene).
100g contains: 204 Calories, Protein: 9.4g, Carbs 40.3g (sugars 5.8g), Fat 3.2g, Fibre 5.8g, Sodium .48g

Guess looking at that, we can see why it's so much tastier than McCambridges's!!

siochain

Transform wrote: »

ahem wheatbelly

if your any way interested in your health, wheatbelly is a must read.

Stench Blossoms

dusf wrote: »

Desperately need to eat bread? Really?

Can all bread truly be bad for us, even McCambridge wholegrain stoneground which as far as I know uses the good kind of wheat and flour etc? Perhaps it is just that you guys are on a carb free diet?

I'm not on a carb free diet. But yes all bread is pretty much the same.

As other have said, read wheatbelly.

runawaybishop

Make your own soda bread. Its pretty much the easiest bread to make and should take 30 mins max between you starting to bake and sitting down at the table with some scones.

feelgoodinc27

LaChatteGitane wrote: »

That is indeed what I meant.
One would hope that they also have been fed on natural feed and not been medicated with antibiotics and growing hormones.
It would also translate to what the flavour of the meat is like, but taste is very subjective.

There is no difference in the nutritional value of conventional and organic food is what science reports. Ireland has a very highly regulated agri sector, so food quality is amongst the best in the world so buy irish is my advice. Growth hormone is illegal, but if you want the animals you eat to have had a happy life then they need there medicine when their sick.

runswithascript

feelgoodinc27 wrote: »

There is no difference in the nutritional value of conventional and organic food is what science reports. Ireland has a very highly regulated agri sector, so food quality is amongst the best in the world so buy irish is my advice. Growth hormone is illegal, but if you want the animals you eat to have had a happy life then they need there medicine when their sick.

It is important here that people do not get confused between organic food and free range food, not that I am saying you are feelgoodinc27.

Much free range food is organic, but not all.

I am surprised so few people are not defending bread. I do not have a weight problem so perhaps I need not be as strict as other people who feel the need to go on a carb free diet, not that anyone recommending thus has one but I think it a fair speculation.

Also, honestly, on my initial inspection of wheatbelly it seems like another one of these fad diets that come and go year in year out - has enough research been done over enough time to prove cutting out carbs is not unhealthy in the long run?

Stench Blossoms

dusf wrote: »

I am surprised so few people are not defending bread. I do not have a weight problem so perhaps I need not be as strict as other people who feel the need to go on a carb free diet, not that anyone recommending thus has one but I think it a fair speculation.

I don't think anyone here is on a carb free diet.

runswithascript

Stench Blossoms wrote: »

I don't think anyone here is on a carb free diet.

Carb free or low carb?

dusf

dusf wrote: »

It is important here that people do not get confused between organic food and free range food, not that I am saying you are feelgoodinc27.

Much free range food is organic, but not all.

I am surprised so few people are not defending bread. I do not have a weight problem so perhaps I need not be as strict as other people who feel the need to go on a carb free diet, not that anyone recommending thus has one but I think it a fair speculation.

Also, honestly, on my initial inspection of wheatbelly it seems like another one of these fad diets that come and go year in year out - has enough research been done over enough time to prove cutting out carbs is not unhealthy in the long run?

You were already told she's not on a carb free diet.
Nobody is talking about cutting carbs. Bread is not all carbs. You might as well give out about "carb free diets" when being told chocolate isn't good for you.

runswithascript

bluewolf wrote: »

You were already told she's not on a carb free diet.

Who is she? Do you mean the previous poster? Please be more specific.

If you do mean the previous poster, yes she did reply advising she was not on a carb free diet to which I replied asking she or others denouncing bread were perhaps on low carb diets.

bluewolf wrote: »

Nobody is talking about cutting carbs. Bread is not all carbs. You might as well give out about "carb free diets" when being told chocolate isn't good for you.

No, it's not all carbs, but it's a lot of carbs, and it would make perfect sense for someone on a carb free or low carb diet to cut bread out.

I found this interesting article on Wheatbelly, on the Healthy Low Carb Living website no less. http://healthylowcarbliving.com/low-carb/wheat-belly/

I'm sorry if I touched a nerve talking about diets, that was not my intention, but have you anything constructive to add relative to the topic of this thread?

LaChatteGitane

feelgoodinc27 wrote: »

There is no difference in the nutritional value of conventional and organic food is what science reports. Ireland has a very highly regulated agri sector, so food quality is amongst the best in the world so buy irish is my advice. Growth hormone is illegal, but if you want the animals you eat to have had a happy life then they need there medicine when their sick.

I don't think I said there was a difference in nutritional value between conventional, free range or organic meat.
I am not familiar with animal feed in Ireland, but it is a well known fact in the rest of Europe animal feed is medicated with antibiotics (even when the animals are not sick)

In that case I stand by my pov that meat from animals that have been fed this by default would not be as healthy (nutritional value aside)

As an example. You have two apples. One that has been treated with pesticides, the other is an organic one.
Their nutritional value is the same, but the one with pesticide might not be so good for your health.
I thought that would be obvious.

runswithascript

LaChatteGitane wrote: »

I don't think I said there was a difference in nutritional value between conventional, free range or organic meat.

And I am not saying you did. I did say free range is better than conventional.

LaChatteGitane wrote: »

As an example. You have two apples. One that has been treated with pesticides, the other is an organic one.
Their nutritional value is the same, but the one with pesticide might not be so good for your health.
I thought that would be obvious.

That does make a lot of sense, that said I heard a nutritionist on Matt Cooper last week saying there has been no proven benefit to health from organic food.

LaChatteGitane

dusf wrote: »

And I am not saying you did. I did say free range is better than conventional.



That does make a lot of sense, that said I heard a nutritionist on Matt Cooper last week saying there has been no proven benefit to health from organic food.

I was replying to another poster.;)

Transform

LaChatteGitane wrote: »

I was replying to another poster.;)

more anti nutrients in your 'healthy' wholegrain bread than there are in white bread

If you want to eat bread then pick one you like and feckin eat it but its a mistake to think in any way that any of them are 'healthy'

Stressing about certain foods can be more of an issue than the foods themselves.

Finally, i have yet to work with a single client that got into the shape and have the energy they want (lots of clients can be slim but tired all the time) while still consuming bread in any significant quantity.

runswithascript

Transform wrote: »

more anti nutrients in your 'healthy' wholegrain bread than there are in white bread

And what do your clients substitute bread with?

Stench Blossoms

dusf wrote: »

And what do your clients substitute bread with?

Healthy food.

siochain

dusf wrote: »

Also, honestly, on my initial inspection of wheatbelly it seems like another one of these fad diets that come and go year in year out - has enough research been done over enough time to prove cutting out carbs is not unhealthy in the long run?

Have you read it?

Might be marketed as diet book but it’s not, it just educates people as to how wheat has changed over the last 150 or so years and the consequence these changes now have on our health.

I know of several people of have reversed health issues by eliminating wheat and they are gluten tolerant when tested.

If anyone has any doubts why not eliminate wheat for a week or two and see how you get on. What have you got loose only a belly

LaChatteGitane

I've already eliminated wheat from my diet, just over six months ago.

You are right though, I do have more energy. I had a couple of blips over the festive period, which resulted in fatigue and lethargy. Back on track now.

runswithascript

So can you guys never have an Italian meal with pasta, maybe there's some pasta alternative?

Maybe some of you replace wheat bread with spelt bread, that's not wheat?

nhg

I used to get Rye Bread in aldi (they havent had it stock now withba while) I assumed it was healthier than regular bread.

elsy

I eat spelt bread find it delicious and is wheat free. I know still carbs but high in fibre and easier to digest than normal breads made from wheat.

--Kaiser--

elsy wrote: »

I eat spelt bread find it delicious and is wheat free. I know still carbs but high in fibre and easier to digest than normal breads made from wheat.

Incorrect as spelt is a form of wheat. It does, however, have less gluten than wheat. If I have an occasional foray into grains I buy buckwheat bread which is gluten-free and tastes quite nice

runswithascript

What about beer, do none of you enjoy a bottle of beer?

Being more healthy from not eating wheat, if that it would truly make me so, would be great, but it's hard to stomach never eating a sandwich again.

Chronic Button

Urgh, food fascism.

It's so awful when someone asks for advice and gets snarky responses. There is no need for it.

All things in moderation, OP. Choose the bread you like the best and have a little of it now and then. Maybe alternate between sambo one day and salad the next? I love toast in the mornings, so I make rubadub's oat pancakes and toast them with a little butter and I enjoy that just as much.

If you are concerned about calorie content, then choose a low calorie option, or make the bread fit into your calorie allowance.

If you are concerned about its effect on your blood sugar, use a bread that is high in nuts and seeds and eat it with good proteins and fats.

If you are concerned about preservatives, consider making it yourself. You can use a mix of wheat flour, oat flour and brown rice flour and lots of seeds and experiment with making nice little flatbreads etc.

I love bread and believe life is too short worshipping the god of health, sacrificing the god of good times.

--Kaiser--

Chronic Button wrote: »

Urgh, food fascism.

I love bread and believe life is too short worshipping the god of health, sacrificing the god of good times.

Wow, never equated bread with good times before

Liam90

I have 2 slices of 9 grain bread everyday. As long as you fit it into your macros, i see no problem.

It has certainly done me no harm.

"Would you considering making a 'wrap' using lettuce leaves to replace the bread?" lol This most stupid thing I have ever heard.

LaChatteGitane

--Kaiser-- wrote: »

Wow, never equated bread with good times before

Perhaps not, but I am also completely flabbergasted at the nitpicking that has been done with a lot of posts.

If I were a vegetarian and came on this thread to say that the OP shouldn't eat meat, because it's unhealthy (which has also been 'proven' through science or pseudo science) how much grieve would I get I wonder.

The OP is young and if he/she wants to follow a more conventional 'diet', but wants to make choices between average and more healthy options, they should not be scared off for eating bread., IMO.

Chronic Button

--Kaiser-- wrote: »

Wow, never equated bread with good times before

Case in point re: snarkiness. Totally unnecessary.

It was clearly a joke. The smiley face was a hint.

Orla K

Chronic Button wrote: »

Urgh, food fascism.

It's so awful when someone asks for advice and gets snarky responses. There is no need for it.

All things in moderation, OP.

Woo!, cigars, cocaine, opium, arsnic, sadism/masochism, cannibalism all in moderation! WOO! :pac:


It's not really food fascism, eat it if you want to but don't fool yourself into thinking that any bread is healthy have a look here about the wheat belly thing, there's more to it than carbs, it's things like gliadin and gluten causing problems with your health.

Chronic Button

Wow. You really have to tread on eggshells in this forum.

All foods in moderation.

mitosis

Homemade wholegrain bread with lamb. Lamb is the only common meat not factory farmed.

Orla K

Chronic Button wrote: »

Wow. You really have to tread on eggshells in this forum.

All foods in moderation.

It was clearly a joke. The laughing face was a hint.

mitosis wrote: »

Homemade wholegrain bread with lamb. Lamb is the only common meat not factory farmed.

Beef isn't factory farmed too. Both are pretty good.

Stench Blossoms

Liam90 wrote: »

I have 2 slices of 9 grain bread everyday. As long as you fit it into your macros, i see no problem.

It has certainly done me no harm.

"Would you considering making a 'wrap' using lettuce leaves to replace the bread?" lol This most stupid thing I have ever heard.

Did I say what you said was stupid? No? I'd appreciate if you didn't call my suggestions stupid.

I know a lot of people do this.

http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/five_spice_turkey_lettuce_wraps.html
http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Chicken-Lettuce-Wraps

Don't knock it till you try it.

vard

Would anyone care to explain why exactly bread is considered to be so horrifically bad for you?

Personally I can't see why I should benefit from giving it up. I workout 5 days per week; I run at a fast pace for 30 mins 5 days per week and I am exceptionally lean and toned. I usually have a sandwich with a black coffee before going working out. Chicken, lettuce, mixed veg and two slices of nutty grainy bread. I find it to be a very useful and easy carb source. It fuels my runs/weights routine and I only feel that I benefit. Beyond that my diet often consists of a good bit of salad/veg + lean chicken, the odd egg and I'm quite partial to quest protein bars. I feel healthy; I look healthy. I don't believe 2 slices of bread fit into your calorie allowance/macros will be the travesty people seem to claim.

I think it's much more important to ensure you have a balanced diet with good sources of protein etc and, most importantly, know how many calories are going in/out.

vard

Would anyone care to explain why exactly bread is considered to be so horrifically bad for you?

Personally I can't see why I should benefit from giving it up. I workout 5 days per week; I run at a fast pace for 30 mins 5 days per week and I am exceptionally lean and toned. I usually have a sandwich with a black coffee before going working out. Chicken, lettuce, mixed veg and two slices of nutty grainy bread. I find it to be a very useful and easy carb source. It fuels my runs/weights routine and I only feel that I benefit. Beyond that my diet often consists of a good bit of salad/veg + lean chicken, the odd egg and I'm quite partial to quest protein bars. I feel healthy; I look healthy. I don't believe 2 slices of bread fit into your calorie allowance/macros will be the travesty people seem to claim.

I think it's much more important to ensure you have a balanced diet with good sources of protein etc and, most importantly, know how many calories are going in/out.

Stench Blossoms

I think one of the biggest problems with bread is that people rely on it to heavily.

You'll often see threads here "what can I replace my sandwich with", and "what else can I have for lunch".

I know loads of people who have bread in some way, shape or form in every meal, every day.

I'd recommend that everyone try going wheat free for 2 weeks and if you don't feel healthier/less bloated/fantastic then reintroduce it and if it fits in with your macros then happy days.

I've yet to come across a person who has given it up and not noticed any positive changes.

Liam90

vard wrote: »

Would anyone care to explain why exactly bread is considered to be so horrifically bad for you?

Personally I can't see why I should benefit from giving it up. I workout 5 days per week; I run at a fast pace for 30 mins 5 days per week and I am exceptionally lean and toned. I usually have a sandwich with a black coffee before going working out. Chicken, lettuce, mixed veg and two slices of nutty grainy bread. I find it to be a very useful and easy carb source. It fuels my runs/weights routine and I only feel that I benefit. Beyond that my diet often consists of a good bit of salad/veg + lean chicken, the odd egg and I'm quite partial to quest protein bars. I feel healthy; I look healthy. I don't believe 2 slices of bread fit into your calorie allowance/macros will be the travesty people seem to claim.

I think it's much more important to ensure you have a balanced diet with good sources of protein etc and, most importantly, know how many calories are going in/out.

It's not bad for you, all this talk about bread being unhealthy is rubbish. 9 grain bread is a staple in my diet and i'm in the best shape of my life.

Obviously you have to choose the right kind of bread, my favorite is 9 grain which also has no sugar.