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.
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 bread is best for weight loss in India? ›
Yes, whole grain bread is very good for weight loss. Eating whole grains have been shown to help eliminate more belly fat when compared to eating refined grains. Whole grain bread contains fiber, which may also help keep you full for longer, making it easier to eat less overall and help lose weight.
Can you eat roti and still lose weight? ›
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 is the alternative to roti for weight loss? ›
Low-carb roti alternatives to add to your weight loss diet
You can incorporate a variety of millet flour like jowar, bajra, ragi, or barley atta alongside wheat atta. Enriching roti with alternatives such as almond flour, channa atta, soya atta, or quinoa atta can significantly enhance its nutritional value.
Can I eat 6 rotis a day? ›
A single roti of 113 calories is a little whereas 6 rotis of 678 calories is a lot. If you add 1-2 teaspoons of ghee, that's another 50-100 calories. 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.
Can I eat 5 roti a day? ›
If you're wondering about how many chapatis to eat in a day, aiming for 2-3 rotis per meal can be a good starting point. However, individual calorie needs vary, so it's essential to consider your overall dietary intake and activity level when determining portion sizes.
Is bread or roti better for weight loss? ›
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.
Can I eat 3 roti at night for weight loss? ›
In other words, the number of wheat rotis you can eat each day depends on how many calories you consume. For weight loss, four chapatis per day are recommended.
Which ATTA is best for weight loss? ›
Best flour for weight loss
- 1/6. Almond flour. The flour is high in minerals like vitamin E, fiber, calcium, magnesium, and calcium and has a low G.I. ...
- 2/6. Bajra flour. Bajra flour is a very healthy alternative to wheat for making roti. ...
- 3/6. Brown rice flour. ...
- 4/6. Coconut flour. ...
- 5/6. Oats flour. ...
- 6/6. Ragi flour.
According to Dietitian Bhavya Dhir, bread can never replace roti. "Fiber and antioxidants are surprise components of Whole wheat Chapati. It has a low glycemic index and thus helps build the body's metabolism and maintain blood sugar levels, making it good for a diabetic patient," she said.
Which roti is best for belly fat? ›
Ragi Roti
Ragi, or finger millet, is an everyday dietary staple in many parts of India. Ragi roti is made from ragi flour and is one of the best roti for weight loss. These rotis are rich in calcium, iron, and fiber, which can help you stay full for longer and avoid overeating.
Is roti healthier than rice? ›
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. Besides, both rice and wheat have folate and iron in the same quantity.
How much does 1 roti have? ›
So, 40gms of roti contains approximately 3.1gms of protein, and calories count up to 12. Carbohydrates: Roti contains 46.13 g of carbohydrates per 100g. A medium-sized 40gms of roti will have 18.5gms of carbohydrates, comprising 68 calories. Fats: Roti contains nearly 9.2 g of fats per 100g.
Which is healthier, roti or bread? ›
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.
Can I eat 3 roti in diet? ›
You must always remember that not only chapatis but even the vegetables and fruits you consume also contain some amount of carbs. In other words, the number of wheat rotis you can eat each day depends on how many calories you consume. For weight loss, four chapatis per day are recommended.
