While comparing roti and bread, we are often told by everyone that roti is a healthier option as it has more nutrients than a bread. But with the wide variety of healthy breads available in the market, many are opting for bread over roti.
But what is the final verdict? Is roti better than bread for weight loss or otherwise? Let’s compare.
Preparation of bread
Bread is prepared by using regular cooking flour and water.
Additional ingredients are added to the dough depending on the kind of bread being prepared. Yeast is also added to the flour to make it rise but many people are allergic to it. These bread dough are usually baked but some are also steamed or fried.
The roughage is removed from the flour that is used for making the bread dough. This roughage is an essential part of a healthy diet as it aids digestion and leads to smooth bowel movement.
Preparation of roti
Roti is a staple in most Indian households and is prepared using water and regular cooking flour. It is believed to be a healthier option as compared to bread because during its preparation, the fibre is not removed, which is good for digestion and smooth bowel movement.
Also, yeast is not added to make roti, which makes it an even healthier option.
Healthy bread variety
A wide range of healthy breads is now available in the market. From whole wheat to multigrain, these healthy breads promise to provide you with the goodness of whole grains. These so-called healthy options are expensive than the regular ones and have preservatives. In terms of health, bread and roti are quite close to each other but breads still have some drawbacks, which makes roti a preferable choice.
Drawbacks of healthy breads
- Most of us consider brown bread a healthier option but not all of us know that brown bread is made using caramel, which is a colouring agent for bread. A chemical named 4-methylimidazole is found in caramel, which can also increase your risk of cancer.
- Ingredients used in the preparation of caramel can cause reaction in people with glucose intolerance.
- Bread is a processed food item, thus a lot of sugar and salt is added to it, which makes it completely unsuitable option for diabetics due to the high glycemic index. Because of its high GI, bread gets digestive quickly and releases sugar, which makes it a not-so-good option for weight loss.
Healthy home-made rotis
Preparing fresh chapatti at home is cheaper and also provides you with the goodness of whole grains. To make your chapatti even better, you can use bajra, jowar and millet flour. These grains are unrefined and great for health.
More reason to say YES to homemade roti
1. Healthiest breads are also made from refined flour
No matter how healthy variety of bread you choose to eat, most of them are made using refined flour, especially brown bread. Refined flour loses all its nutrients while processing, leaving behind just sugar.
Refined flour can lead to inflammation, allergies and intolerance. It also makes the bread easily digestible, which is why you feel hungry sooner. Thus, bread is a complete no- no, if you trying to shed those extra kilos. The wheat rotis made at home are complex carbs and thus take more time to get digested, making it a better option any day.
2. Breads contain yeast
Yeast is a dehydrating agent, which is added to most breads that are available in the market to make them fluffy. This yeast can cause allergy to many people. On the other hand, roti is rich in dietary fibre, proteins, vitamins and other nutrients that are good for our health.
3. Preservatives are used to make bread
Preparation of most types of breads involve usage of preservatives. They need to be kept fresh for a week or 10 days, which is why adding preservatives is a must. The decent home-made roti does not have these harmful preservatives.
4. Roti is rich in nutrients
A simple home-made roti contains Vitamin B1, B2. B3, B6 and B9, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and dietary fibre. When consumed in moderation and in a healthy combination, rotis are not fattening.
What is healthier for weight loss?
Roti makes for a healthier and cheaper option. But this does not mean you should stop having bread, all you need to keep in mind is to consume it in moderation. You can combine your bread with healthy veggies or chicken to make it a healthy alternative.
Talking about weight loss, roti is rich in fibre and other healthy nutrients, which makes it a healthier option to lose weight. If you want to eat bread while on a weight loss plan, do not eat them regularly and choose the ones that are uncoloured and made with whole grains.
FAQs
Talking about weight loss, roti is rich in fibre and other healthy nutrients, which makes it a healthier option to lose weight. If you want to eat bread while on a weight loss plan, do not eat them regularly and choose the ones that are uncoloured and made with whole grains.
What is better for weight loss, bread or roti? ›
Roti is certainly a healthier option due to the presence of fibres including proteins, carbs, and soluble fibre. These fibres provide you with an energy boost, promote good blood circulation, and keep you feeling full for a longer period of time.
Should I skip roti for weight loss? ›
Instead, she suggests reducing roti intake and striking a balance that preserves nutritional needs. She recommends not eliminating roti from your diet, but practising portion control. You should try to strike a balance that preserves nutritional needs. Plus, you should eat a diet rich in protein and eliminate carbs.
How many bread is equal to one roti? ›
One roti is equal to 1 and a half bread. So it'll be same if you'll have a roti or if you'll have a bread. But now, if we see which is more healthy.. then it's the roti which is more healthy.
Which Indian bread is good for weight loss? ›
Ragi, also known as Nachni is one of India's favourite millets, especially in regions where wheat and rice cultivation is minimal. Ragi is packed with iron, calcium, magnesium and heaps of fibre that improves your digestion, keeps you full and keep your weight in check.
Can I eat 2 roti a day for weight loss? ›
Portion Control: Stick to one or two chapatis per meal to keep your calorie intake in check. Choosing Healthy Fillings and Toppings: Pair chapatis with high-protein and fiber-rich foods like lentils, grilled vegetables, or lean meats instead of high-calorie options.
Is roti good for losing belly fat? ›
The pros of eating roti for weight loss, as compared to rice are: Lower Calorie Intake: Roti is generally lower in calories compared to an equivalent serving of white rice, making it a good choice for those looking to control their calorie intake.
What to eat instead of roti for weight loss? ›
Healthy Alternatives to Wheat Roti
- Multigrain Roti. One of the easiest transitions to a healthier roti is opting for a multigrain variety. ...
- Millet Roti. Millets, such as bajra and ragi, have gained recognition for their exceptional nutritional content. ...
- Quinoa Roti. ...
- Chickpea Flour (Besan) Roti. ...
- Sweet Potato Roti.
It's completely fine to eat rotis daily. My recommendations are to just make sure you're getting enough physical activity to burn the calories you eat daily and to try to use whole wheat flour when making your rotis.
Can I eat 5 roti a day? ›
It is certainly possible to eat 6 rotis in a day, either in a meal or if you have it with lunch and also dinner. If you add oil or ghee to it, this adds even more calories.
Roti is made from wheat so it has more nutrients when compared to rice. A small 6-inch roti contains almost 71 calories, 3 gm protein, 0.4 gm fat, and 15 gm carbohydrates. Rice has less amount of phosphorus and magnesium when compared to wheat.
Can I eat bread instead of chapati? ›
You can't substitute chapati with brown bread. It sounds promising that brown breads are healthy and handy to reach out made up of mutli grain or whole wheat grain but then also it can't replace roti. In making of brown bread, yeast is involved which on long term intake cause havoc to your digestive system.
Which is healthier, roti or bread? ›
Roti and bread are two very different types of bread, and are no good substitutes for each other. Roti is definitely a healthier choice, according to Dr.
Which Indian food is best for weight loss? ›
Indian Food For Weight Loss
- Daliya. Dalia is a traditional Indian food that has been shown to help with weight loss. ...
- Dahi. When it comes to weight loss, there are many different strategies that people can try. ...
- Sweet Potato. ...
- Moong dal. ...
- Triphala. ...
- Parting Words.
The best bread for weight loss is a bread that is the most filling and contains the least unnecessary calories. When shopping, look for options that contain the lowest amount of added sugar and the highest amount of fiber. This combination for the best weight loss bread is usually 100% whole grain bread.
Can I eat bread if I'm losing weight? ›
Yes, you can eat bread while trying to lose weight.
There is no need to avoid it completely from your diet. Limit your intake of bread to 25 percent of your plate and enjoy it with vegetables to avoid overconsumption. The secret to losing weight is consuming fewer calories than you utilize during the day.
What's better than bread for weight loss? ›
Big-leafed greens like lettuce or romaine lettuce are great substitutions for bread or wraps. You can fill these greens with toppings like meat or veggies. The leaf can also be used as a wrap, to hold everything together. Lettuce wraps are extremely fresh and way lower in calories than bread-based wraps.
Should I skip bread to lose weight? ›
Some popular trendy diets suggest avoiding all breads and carb-rich foods, but abstaining from all carbohydrates or breads is not necessarily a healthy way to lose weight. Really, all foods, including bread, can be a part of a weight loss diet, as long as they are eaten thoughtfully and in moderation.
Is roti high in carbs? ›
While high in carbs, rotis are extremely nutritious and provide you with fibre, a very important nutrient for digestion as well as weight loss. You can have these low-carb rotis along with saute (low-carb) veggies or you can even eat them as is with chutney by adding salt to the dough.
