Being a staple in every South Asian diet, a meal feels incomplete without roti. However, we are all up for easy alternatives. For instance, if we run out of roti to go with the leftover curry, we immediately reach out to readymade options like bread. We think bread to be the next best option for us. Fortunately, even bread comes in various types such as brown bread, multigrain bread, and white bread. They do come in handy, but next time if you are thinking to pick a slice of bread over roti, it’s time to think again.

Health Shots reached out to Dr (Mr) Kiran Rukadikar, Bariatric Physician and Obesity consultant, to find out which between the two is a healthier option.

What’s a better pick – roti vs bread for weight loss?

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. Kiran for the reasons listed below.

1. Rotis are made of whole wheat flour

Rotis are mostly made of whole wheat flour that is rich in dietary fiber. Alongside, rotis made using other cereals like jowar, bajra, ragi, etc are also gaining popularity in South Asian households. You can try making rotis with healthy flours to make them weight-loss friendly.

On the other hand, slices of bread that are believed to be made of whole wheat can also be partially made of refined flour (maida) which can wreak havoc in your digestive tract.

2. Fiber content

The dominating presence of fibers like carbohydrates, soluble fiber, and proteins make roti a hands-down healthier pick. These fibers give a boost of energy, encourage healthy blood circulation and give you a fuller feeling for a longer time.

3. Presence of yeast in bread

In the words of Dr Rukadikar, “The presence of yeast in bread to make it fluffier is not a good choice for your digestive system.”

The yeast in a bread loaf causes dehydration in your body. Moreover, the handy brown bread that is so easily available in the market sometimes has coloring agents added to give it a brown color, and no naked eye can make out the difference. So, it isn’t safe to just go by the colour of the bread and grab it.

Also read: White, brown, or multigrain: We’re revealing the best bread for weight loss

The benefits of roti include the facts that they are free from any fermentation, processing, or preservatives Bread is an outcome of fermentation, processing, or addition of a lot of preservatives. However, the same is not the case for rotis. Thus, the nutrition content of roti remains the same. Besides, bread undergoes a lot of processing with added emulsifiers, which do not have any nutritional value.

4. Bread is loaded with preservatives while rotis are fresh

Bread is made using considerable preservatives and that is why they last about a week. Rotis, however, are made and consumed fresh, for they have a lesser shelf life and become stale if not eaten fresh.

5. Rotis can be made healthier by stuffing veggies in it

We all know that South Asian households don’t always prep a regular roti for breakfast. A lot of us love a stuffed parantha in our breakfast meal. The addition of veggies or pulses just amplifies the nutrition content of rotis.

So, now you know between a roti vs bread game, what to choose!