Some foods sound so healthy but they’re really not. Some very good examples are digestive biscuits. Before you hit the nearest supermarket and place a package of digestive biscuits in your shopping cart, read first. Below you will learn more about digestive biscuits and the reasons why, despite of the name, they are not as good for you as you think.
Before we discuss why digestive biscuits have a bad reputation, let’s first tackle their beginnings.
Digestive biscuits came about back in the 19th century. They were named as such because they contained lots of baking soda. It’s true that baking soda can be beneficial to the tummy because it neutralizes excess acid, and those who are bugged by acid reflux and gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD can actually count on baking soda.
However, people back in those days weren’t aware that baking soda is no longer the stomach-friendly white powder that it is once it’s used for cooking purposes — extreme heat actually alters the chemical composition of baking soda, and it winds up no longer capable of neutralizing too much acid in the stomach that can cause heartburn.
But there is one nice thing about digestive biscuits of the 19th century, and that’s the fact that they’re made from coarse whole-wheat flour. Every health-conscious person knows how good whole-wheat is!
Unfortunately, most of today’s digestive biscuits that you can easily obtain from your favorite supermarket no longer contain coarse whole-wheat flour. Majority of them are simply made from processed flour to make them look pretty and easy on everyone’s pocket. Manufacturers are happy but health-conscious people are discontented!
We all know why nutrition experts are frowning upon anything that’s made from processed flour. You see, processed flour means it’s out of refined grains that are devoid of some of the most beneficial components of grains like the bran and germ. In other words, refined grains contain considerably less vitamins, minerals and fiber.
Here’s one more reason why many of today’s digestive biscuits are complete health wreckers: they’re packed with refined sugar! Some digestive biscuits come in various flavors like chocolates, making them even more sugar-loaded.
So if you think that digestive biscuits of today are good for you because there’s the word “digestive” in the name, better think again. Eating them will only make you consume lots of calories and very little nutrients.
This does not mean, however, that you should completely turn your back on the idea of enjoying digestive biscuits with your coffee or tea. That’s because not all digestive biscuits on the market out there are health wreckers. Actually, there are some that are still on the healthy side, especially if you eat them in moderation.
When shopping for digestive biscuits, look for those that are out of whole-wheat flour to ensure that your body is supplied with the nutrients commonly found in grains. Then it’s also a good idea for you to opt for low-sugar variants. Try to stay away from flavored ones because you can be certain that they are loaded with calories.
Don’t forget to share this article online to let everyone you care about know the real deal on digestive biscuits!
