By Lucy Yanckello, Ph.D.
Everyone loves bread, and it can always find a place in a healthy and balanced diet. However, with so many different types of bread, it can be confusing as to where some fall on the spectrum of nutritional foods. This is especially true for rich breakfast breads such as brioche, that are full of butter, eggs, and sugar. So how does brioche stack up against, for example, white bread? Read on to learn more.
What is the difference between brioche vs. bread? Is brioche bread the same as white bread?
Technically, brioche is a French pastry, rather than a bread, due to its light and airy texture and sweet flavor. Brioche bread is not the same as white bread; in fact, it is more similar to a croissant in texture and structure than it is regular bread. The base ingredients of white bread are flour, water, and yeast, whereas brioche includes eggs, milk, and butter in its recipe.
Why is brioche bread special?
Brioche bread is sweet and pastry-like. However, it differs from a pastry because it also contains yeast and is prepared like a bread. The addition of eggs, milk, and butter give it a fluffier texture and sweet flavor that is much more similar to pastry than bread. In fact, to be characterized as brioche, a recipe has to contain 30% to 50% butter-to-total-flour weight.
How healthy is brioche?
Brioche contains a higher protein content than plain white bread due to the inclusion of eggs, which is beneficial for health. However, due to the higher butter content in brioche, brioche contains more fat and more calories than other kinds of bread. Unfortunately, the fat content comes mainly from saturated fats, which should be limited to 5% to 6% of a person’s daily caloric intake, according to the American Heart Association. This does not necessarily make brioche unhealthy, but instead informs us to enjoy this delicious treat in moderation.
Is brioche better for you than bread? Is it healthier to eat brioche rather than bread? Is brioche good for weight loss? Is brioche better than bread for weight loss?
In one slice of brioche bread, there are 110 calories – 1.5 grams of fat, 20 grams of carbohydrates, 4 grams of protein, and 1 gram of fiber. For one slice of white bread, there are 67 calories – 1 gram of fat, 13 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams of protein, and less than 1 gram of fiber. Brioche and bread are in the same ballpark when it comes to weight loss in that both should be enjoyed in moderation. The slightly higher fiber and protein content in brioche bread is likely to help you feel satiated for longer than a plain slice of white bread. Consider pairing either with healthy fats, protein, and fiber to create a balanced meal.
What is the difference between brioche and bread rolls?
As discussed in our All About Rolls article, brioche rolls and regular rolls are different in that brioche rolls require more eggs and butter in their recipe than regular rolls. Although both brioche rolls and regular rolls contain eggs and butter, the fact that brioche rolls contain more of these ingredients means that these rolls are higher in fat content.
Is brioche healthy for diabetics? Is brioche better than bread for diabetics?
Brioche bread should not be a first choice for diabetics. The glycemic index (GI) of brioche is 72, classifying it as a high GI food. GI is a measure of how quickly a food can make your blood sugar rise, on a scale of 1 to 100. A GI of 72 indicates that brioche bread will have a large effect on blood sugar, causing a spike. Compared to white bread, however, the GI of brioche is lower. Plain white bread has a GI of 90, which means it will cause an even larger spike in blood sugar than brioche.
What bread is closest to brioche?
Challah bread is very similar to brioche, since it is made with eggs. It has a slightly sweet flavor and a soft, pillowy interior. Another substitute for brioche are croissants. Although these are not bread, but pastry, brioche is said to be more similar in texture to croissants than bread. They have a similar sweet flavor with a light and airy texture.
Where can I buy the best bread and brioche online?
At Wildgrain, we specialize in making high-quality, fresh baked goods that are delivered directly to your door. Wildgrain is the first bake-from-frozen delivery subscription service for breads, pastries, and fresh pastas. Some of our popular breads and brioche include sourdough whole wheat loaf, everything sourdough bread, and brioche rolls. Learn more about Wildgrain and our artisanal baking and cooking methods.
About the Author
Lucy Yanckello received her Ph.D. in nutrition from the University of Kentucky College of Medicine. She currently works as a medical writer and enjoys being able to help people better understand nutrition and science.
This content is for informational use only and does not replace professional nutrition and/or medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It is not a substitute for and should not be relied upon for specific nutrition and/or medical recommendations. Please talk with your doctor about any questions or concerns.
