Arnold White Bread Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits

White bread is a pantry staple in households around the country. White bread usually has a softer texture and a lighter taste than darker bread varieties like whole wheat bread, pumpernickel, or rye. For this reason, many people prefer white bread for sandwiches or toast.

Arnold is a popular bread manufacturer that makes two varieties of white bread: Country White Bread and Brick Oven Premium White. Both breads are made from enriched flour. Foods that have been enriched have had nutrients added in during the manufacturing process. Often these are nutrients that were removed during the grain refining process. Fiber is usually not added back to enriched grains which is why foods made from enriched flour have a softer texture.

Health experts advise that at least half the grains you consume should be whole grains. Foods like Arnold Country White Bread or Brick Oven Premium White are not made from whole grains, but they can still provide some nutritional benefits.

Arnold White Bread Nutrition Facts

The following nutrition information is provided on the product label for one slice (33g) of Arnold Brick Oven Premium White bread.

Carbs

There are 90 calories and 17 grams of carbohydrates in a single slice of Arnold Brick Oven Premium White bread. There is less than one gram of fiber and two grams of added sugar in a single serving. So most of the carbohydrates in this bread are starch.

There are 120 calories and 22 grams of carbohydrate in a single slice of Arnold Country White Bread. There is only one gram of fiber and two grams of sugar in a single serving. So most of the carbohydrates in this bread are also starch.

There is no recorded glycemic index for this particular brand of bread. But the glycemic index of white bread is 70, making it a high glycemic food.

Fats

There are 1.5 to 2.0 grams of fat in a slice of Arnold white bread, depending on the variety that you choose. The Premium Oven Baked bread slice is slightly smaller so it contains slightly less fat. The fat in both varieties of bread is primarily polyunsaturated fat.

Protein

Arnold white bread is not a significant source of protein. The Country White Bread provides 3 grams of protein while the Premium Oven Baked bread provides just 2 grams of protein.

Vitamins and Minerals

Foods made from enriched grains have usually had certain B vitamins (thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folic acid) and iron added back after processing. Many times, bread made from these enriched grains have more thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, iron, and folate than bread made from whole grains. But they lack fiber and other nutrients like vitamin E, vitamin B6, and magnesium.

According to the product label, Arnold Premium Oven Baked bread contains 0.9mg of iron (or about 6% of the daily recommended intake or RDI), 0.1mg of thiamin (about 10% RDI), 0.1mg of riboflavin (about 8% of RDI), and 1.3mg of niacin (about 8% of RDI). A slice of the bread also supplies about 15% of your daily needs for folate. Arnold Country White Bread supplies slightly more of each of the nutrients.

Health Benefits

While whole-grain bread is usually cited as the healthier choice when choosing bread, there are some health benefits that enriched bread can provide.

Quick Energy Source

White bread provides calories (energy) primarily in the form of carbohydrates. Carbs are your body's preferred energy source. When you eat bread, you are providing your body with fuel for your daily activities.

Supports Healthy Cell Division

Also known as vitamin B9, the folate in fortified foods, like white bread, is usually provided in the form of folic acid. Your body needs folic acid to make DNA—your body's genetic material. DNA is needed for cell division. Women of childbearing age who could become pregnant are especially advised to get adequate folic acid to facilitate a healthy pregnancy.

May Help Prevent Depression

The folic acid in white bread may help fend off depression. Studies have shown that people with low folate levels may be more prone to depression. In addition, they might not respond as well to antidepressant treatment as people with normal folate levels. But study results have been inconsistent.

Supports a Healthy Metabolism

The thiamin in Arnold white bread helps turn food into energy. Some people, such as those who have had bariatric surgery, people with diabetes, older individuals, people with HIV/AIDS, and people with alcohol dependence are more likely to have inadequate thiamin intake. A thiamin deficiency can cause symptoms including unintended weight loss, confusion, memory loss, muscle weakness, or heart problems.

Allergies

Those who are allergic to wheat should not consume Arnold white bread. Wheat allergies are more common in children and most will outgrow it at a relatively young age. Symptoms of a wheat allergy may include hives, nausea, stomach cramps, indigestion, vomiting, diarrhea, runny nose, sneezing, headaches, and asthma. Anaphylaxis may also occur in severe cases.

Wheat allergy is sometimes confused with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity. But they are two different conditions.

Adverse Effects

If you have celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity you should not consume either variety of Arnold brand white bread as both contain wheat. There are other brands that sell gluten-free bread, dinner rolls, and bread mixes that are safe to consume for those who are on a gluten-free diet.

Varieties

While these are the only two varieties of white bread made by Arnold, the company makes several varieties of bread. They include several types of whole-grain bread, multigrain bread, rye bread, sourdough, Italian, and buttermilk bread.

When It's Best

Arnold white bread (and other varieties made by the Arnold brand) are sold year-round in grocery stores around the country.

Storage and Food Safety

According to the USDA, commercial bread products should be consumed within 2–3 weeks after purchase for the best freshness and quality. Bread can be refrigerated to maintain freshness. Bread can also be frozen and can maintain its quality for 3–5 months.

How to Prepare

There are countless ways to enjoy white bread at any meal. Enjoy toast with an egg and fresh veggies (like tomato or spinach) in the morning. Make avocado toast in the afternoon to increase your intake of healthy fat. And at dinner time, consider a savory grilled cheese sandwich. Consider using whole grain bread for some of your favorite bread recipes to make sure you are getting enough fiber in your diet.