It’s tempting to grab a gratifying load of carbohydrates in the morning to keep you full while you’re on the go, like a warm, doughy bagel with a heavy spread of cream cheese.
This is because it’s simple to do so. But you should realize that the delicious combo on its own might contain as many as 350 calories. Additionally, it may not be doing your waistline any favors at all.
Because of its high caloric content and poor levels of minerals, vitamins, and fiber, bagels might lead to weight gain in consumers. In the absence of fiber, the carbohydrates in your bagel will be digested rapidly and converted into sugar, which will typically be stored as fat.
Therefore, if you do not intend to go to the gym immediately after your morning meal, you will most likely continue to carry the excess weight.
Can You Eat Bagels And Still Lose Weight?
In the realm of nutrition, people often consider bagels to be calorie and carbohydrate bombs. If you brush across them so much, you run the risk of quickly blowing up (particularly if they are covered in cream cheese). But do they deserve the reputation that they have?
Wheat flour, salt, water, yeast, and other ingredients are traditionally used to make bagels. What exactly is wrong with it, in your opinion? Sometimes oils and sweeteners (such as honey or malt syrup) are added to the mixture.
Bagels are first boiled, then baked, after the dough is kneaded, shaped into a circular shape with a hole in the center, and then cooked again. In addition to fruit, many spices, both sweet and savory, may be included.
The majority of the calories in a bagel come from carbohydrates, which is one reason why so many people have a love-hate relationship with bagels.
A medium bagel contains roughly 275 calories. 69 grams of carbs may be found in one big bagel. Compare this to the approximately 40 grams of carbohydrates that are included in two slices of bread.
If you consume 1,700 calories per day, the suggested amount of carbohydrates for you to consume is around 190 to 255 grams per day, which is equivalent to approximately 65 grams of carbohydrates for each meal.
If you are trying to control your blood sugar levels or are following a diet that is lower in calories, it is advised that you have even fewer carbohydrates—about 45 to 60 grams each meal.
It just takes one bagel to put you far over your daily carbohydrate allotment. And this doesn’t even take into account spreads or toppings!
However, the quality of carbohydrates is equally as important as the total quantity of carbs. The flour used to make bagels is often refined or enriched, which means it is devoid of the beneficial fiber that is included in whole grains and complex carbohydrates.
This indicates that after eating a bagel, there is a pretty rapid increase in the amount of sugar in your blood.
This causes your pancreas to secrete the hormone insulin, which is responsible for transporting sugar to the cells of your body so that it may be used as a source of energy.
Are Bagels A Good Breakfast For Weight Loss?
You may measure them as one serving, but one bagel is about comparable to four pieces of bread. Despite their high caloric content, bagels provide virtually little in the way of nourishment.
In addition, the majority of these foods are classified as simple carbs; so, unless you consume whole wheat, you won’t get the benefits of the fiber that would help you stay satiated for longer.
Even if it is the vegetable kind, I’m sorry to be the one to break it to you, but cream cheese isn’t there to meet your body’s nutritional requirements; it’s only there to please your taste buds.
If you find that you just can’t give up your morning bagel, try cutting a whole-wheat bagel in half and spreading it with avocado or nut butter instead of cream cheese.
By preparing the meal in this manner, you will be able to reduce the total number of calories while simultaneously increasing the amount of nutritious protein, fiber, and fat.
Do Bagels Cause Belly Fat?
Bagels have been considered one of the most popular “comfort meals” all across the globe since they were first introduced in the 17th century.
Although bagels are most often consumed in the morning, it is not unusual for restaurants to offer them as a lunch or supper option as well.
These baked delicacies have been given a pretty poor image in recent years as a result of assertions that their high carb content renders them inherently unhealthy.
Bagels come in an almost infinite number of types, each of which may be produced using a different combination of ingredients, and they can be purchased in several various sizes.
Bagels may be created from a wide variety of ingredients, but the standard formula calls for refined wheat flour, yeast, salt, and water.
Some varieties may include other components, such as herbs, spices, sugar, or dried fruits, depending on the formulation.
Bagels tend to have a very high number of carbohydrates but just a little amount of fat and protein. In some countries, such as the United States, bagels and other refined grain products are enriched with some of the nutrients that are lost during processing, specifically B vitamins and iron.
This is because naturally, they contain trace amounts of vitamins and minerals. However, in other countries, such as the United States, this is not the case.
It is possible to gain weight in an unhealthy way and find it more difficult to shed weight if you consume an excessive amount of calories from any meal, even bagels.
It is possible that enjoying bagels in moderation and being mindful of the number of calories they add to your diet is the best course of action.
Can I Eat A Bagel Every Day And Lose Weight?
The widespread consumption of bagels, which are devoid of fiber, is not the only issue with these morning foods. Your bagel, unless it is prepared with whole wheat flour, is probably manufactured with white flour, which goes through a milling process in which the hull of the wheat is removed.
The shelf life of the flour in your cupboard will be extended as a result, but you will be left with a product that consists only of starch, sometimes known as refined carbohydrates.
Additionally, your body responds to refined carbohydrates in the same manner as it does to sugar, which may cause mood swings due to fluctuations in blood sugar levels.
In addition, consuming a white bagel daily is associated with an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, inflammation, and coronary heart disease, as well as an increase in the likelihood of gaining abdominal obesity over five years.
Wrapping Up
Since no one thing will make or break your diet, you can feel free to indulge in a bagel or two every once in a while.
If you consume bagels daily, choosing whole-grain varieties and complementing them with vegetables, lean proteins, and unsaturated fats can help you feel full for a longer period while also maintaining stable blood sugar levels.
On a toasted everything bagel, our favorite breakfast is eggs, avocado, and spinach. If you don’t consume bagels very often, go ahead and get your favorite variety, spread it with cream cheese, and savor each mouthful that you take!
