Bread is an important food staple in many cultures, as it's usually cheap, easy to make, and a great energy source. It’s highly versatile in the kitchen, and many cultures have their own bread varieties and traditional toppings.
Many people think bread is unhealthy and fattening, but that's not always true. Some types of bread are more nutritious than others; however, most are high in calories.
Nowadays, more and more people follow a diet aimed at increasing or decreasing their intake of certain nutrients, such as a low-potassium diet for those suffering from kidney disease.
How well does bread fit into the meal plan of those following such a diet?
Table of Contents
- Is Bread High or Low in Potassium?
- How Much Potassium Is in Bread?
- Is Bread Good for You?
- Can You Get Too Much Potassium from Bread?
- Is Whole-grain Bread High in Potassium?
- Is Cornbread High in Potassium?
- Is Oatmeal Bread High in Potassium?
- Is Pita Bread High in Potassium?
- Are Breadcrumbs High in Potassium?
- Conclusion
Is Bread High or Low in Potassium?
Bread is low in potassium, so it can be safely added to your meal plan if you follow a low-potassium diet. However, as it does contain some, be sure to include it when calculating your daily intake and stay within that recommended by your doctor.
Can You Check Your Potassium Level at Home?
How Much Potassium Is in Bread?
One large slice of white bread contains around 38 mg of potassium, well under the 200 mg per serving threshold for low-potassium foods. This is safe for the vast majority of people on low-potassium diets, but if you're seeking to increase your potassium intake, white bread will not contribute much to your goal.
Is Bread Good for You?
Whole-grain bread is much more nutritious than white, and eating whole grains has been linked with reducing the risk of cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.
It's also higher in fiber, which keeps you feeling full longer after eating.
Whole-wheat bread is much higher in selenium and manganese than white and contains more fiber and protein, both of which help regulate blood sugar levels, reducing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Bread made from sprouted grains is more nutritious and more easily digested. Studies show that it contains more fiber, vitamins E and C, and folate. It also has fewer antinutrients, making it one of the healthiest breads.
Sourdough bread may also improve digestion, as the fermentation process creates prebiotics and probiotics that feed good gut bacteria.
Can You Get Too Much Potassium from Bread?
It would be almost impossible to get too much potassium just by eating bread.
However, bread contains antinutrients, which can block the absorption of minerals, including magnesium, iron, zinc, and calcium.
For most with healthy diets, this shouldn’t be an issue, but some vegans and vegetarians may become mineral deficient if they eat too much bread.
Is Whole-grain Bread High in Potassium?
One slice of whole-grain bread contains around 69.4 mg of potassium. It's also much more nutritious than white and higher in fiber.
Is Cornbread High in Potassium?
One piece of cornbread contains around 80 mg of potassium and contains more calcium, phosphorus, thiamin, and folate than white. It's also lower in calories.
Is Oatmeal Bread High in Potassium?
One slice of oatmeal bread contains 38.3 mg of potassium and is highly nutritious but low in calories.
It contains manganese, thiamin, iron, and an impressive amount of protein.
Is Pita Bread High in Potassium?
One pita contains 109 mg of potassium, which is still safe for most people on low-potassium diets.
Pita bread contains a good amount of iron, copper, magnesium, and niacin, making it a great addition to a healthy, balanced diet.
Are Breadcrumbs High in Potassium?
A half-cup serving of breadcrumbs has 106 mg of potassium.
Breadcrumbs are usually used to coat chicken, fish, and other meats or in sauces.
Conclusion
Most types of bread can be safely added to a low-potassium diet; however, always check your total intake to ensure you're staying within the daily intake recommended by your doctor.
Don't know which foods are high in potassium? Read our article, 15 Best Food Sources of Potassium. We also have a guide to this important mineral: Potassium 101: All You Need To Know About Potassium.