Is garlic bread good for weight loss? Garlic bread is usually made using white bread, which contains absolutely no dietary fiber at all.
Make sure you eat garlic bread only in moderation to avoid serious health complications related to lack of fibers intake.
Garlic bread can be eaten occasionally with salad or grilled vegetables. There are healthy options for garlic bread that include whole-wheat or multigrain bread, garlic sauce made with olive oil, or homemade garlic butter. Whole wheat bread is rich in fiber which your body will appreciate.
Don’t eliminate white bread from your diet if you are trying to lose weight by switching to whole wheat bread.
It’s important not to deprive yourself of the taste of bread, so gradually replace white bread with whole wheat bread and get accustomed to the change.
If you want to buy a pack of garlic bread, choose one that is low in fat. You can also try making it yourself by using multigrain or whole wheat bread, olive oil, and garlic sauce instead of butter and cream cheese.
It’s preferable to use roasted garlic instead of regular garlic (don’t forget to roast it yourself, or it will be loaded with preservatives). If the garlic bread in a restaurant has a strong smell, don’t hesitate and choose another one.
Also, remember that restaurants offer high calorie garlic bread in most cases, which is not good for your waistline!
What is Garlic Bread?
Garlic bread is a traditional food that originated in Italy. According to the most popular version, Italian chefs used to prepare it for Queen Margherita of Savoy when she visited Naples upon the invitation of King Umberto I in 1889.
The queen was charmed by the dish, and she even had the ‘real’ one when she returned to Italy. Garlic bread is usually made with Italian or French baguette, butter/olive oil, and garlic sauce.
The dish gradually spread across Europe, and it became popular in North America only after the second half of the 20th century.
Garlic bread recipe can vary depending on your preferences, but it’s usually made with bread, butter, and garlic sauce. Ingredients such as cheese, parsley, chili pepper, and different seasonings can also add extra flavor.
Recipe for Garlic Bread
Mix 1 tbsp of softened butter or olive oil with 1 crushed garlic clove and a pinch of salt in a bowl.
Spread the mixture on a long slice of baguette. Add chopped parsley or any other fresh herbs you like. Bake it at 200 degrees Celsius for 5 minutes until the bread is crispy and the butter/oil mixture is melted.
You can find hundreds of recipes online, but if you make your version by mixing spices (like oregano or basil), it will be high in calories.
Garlic Bread Nutrition Facts
The biggest problem with garlic bread is that you can eat a lot while not feeling full, making you overeat and gain weight.
Nutritional value of 1 garlic bread slice (35g):
| Nutrition | Amount |
|---|---|
| KCAL | 154 |
| Fat | 7.7g |
| Carbohydrates | 20.4g |
| Protein | 0.8g |
| Sodium | 378 mg |
| Fiber | 1.7g |
The calorie count of garlic bread is so high because it’s usually made with butter or cream cheese, and some people add extra cheese on top while baking it.
It’s not only about the calories, though, but also about the lack of dietary fiber.100 g of white bread contains 2.2 g carbohydrates, 0.1 g protein, and 1 mg sodium.
It has absolutely no dietary fiber, making it inappropriate for people who need to watch their weight or prevent constipation (caused by lack of dietary fiber).
Is Garlic Bread Good for Weight Loss?
Original Italian garlic bread is low in calories, but it won’t burn fat. If you want to lose weight, don’t eat it before lunch or dinner because it’s loaded with carbohydrates, making you hungry in a couple of hours.
It’s better to eat smaller portions of garlic bread together with salad or in between meals when you feel hungry.
Pros and Cons of Garlic Bread
On the positive side, garlic bread is delicious, and it can be used as a base for other high-calorie ingredients to create light dishes with low cholesterol.
There are no benefits associated with garlic bread on the negative site that would make it worth consuming even if you like its taste.
Although some people claim that it can help you prevent migraine attacks, there’s no scientific proof to support such a statement.
It’s important to remember that garlic is a well-known allergen, and it should not be eaten by people who are allergic to it.
Is garlic bread good or bad for you?
Garlic bread is high in calories, but it’s not bad for you if eaten occasionally. It’s important to remember that you can’t lose weight if your diet consists mainly of white bread because it has no health benefits.
If you want to stay healthy and slim, eat garlic bread together with vegetables or salad, don’t use a huge amount of oil or butter, and wait until you feel full before going for a second serving.
The Bottom Line
Traditional Italian garlic bread is high in calories, and it’s not recommended for weight loss.
However, you can make healthy modifications such as using a whole wheat baguette, eating smaller portions ( 2 – 3 slices ), and waiting until you feel full before going for a second serving.
You can also try to eat some vegetables or light salad along with garlic bread.
If you don’t want to change your diet much but still want to lose weight, choose lean meat or chicken breast instead of pork.
