Instructions
1. Take a look at the bread you're using for toast. Is it white, wheat, sourdough or rye? Your choice of bread is an essential part of preparing healthier toast. Avoid white bread because it's too processed. Instead, look for whole grain or multi-grain breads, such as wheat, oat, flax seed and 12-grain. When possible, choose fresh-baked with no preservatives. If you have a bread maker, make it fresh and that way you know exactly what's in it.
2. Step back from butter. If you're going to use another spread on top of the butter, consider skipping the butter all together. The taste gets hidden by the spread anyway. If you want the buttery taste, but don't want to use margarine or other trans-fat spreads, consider Ghee, a clarified butter available in health food stores. It tastes like butter but doesn't have all the unhealthy fats. Or lightly brush on a high quality extra virgin olive oil; many have a buttery taste with plenty of health benefits.
3. Read the label of your jam or jelly. Watch out for those high in fructose, corn syrup or with artificial sweetners. These are artificial sugar flavorings that load on the calories. Avoid "diet" versions because these use synthetic sweetners, which are also not a good choice. Instead, choose those low in sugar, and look for ones that feature organic fruits, flavorings and ingredients as the most healthful choice. Better yet, make your own.
4. Choose peanut butter wisely. Many commercial peanut butters are filled with salt and oils, as well as stabilizing chemical preservatives. Read your labels and look for those that are natural or organic, and have as few artificial ingredients as possible. If you live near a health food store, you can often have them grind fresh peanut butter for you there and it's nothing but peanuts.
5. Try using different items on your toast. * Freshly ground flax seed is very healthy, and adds a delightful nutty taste to toast. You can grind it in your coffee grinder each day for maximum freshness. * A dusting of cinnamon or nutmeg makes for a zingy flavor and actually boosts your energy and immune system. * A very light dusting of Stevia powder (an herbal sweetner) makes for a pleasantly sweet taste without the calories. * Puree a piece of fresh fruit in your blender as a jelly substitute. * Explore other nut butters, such as almond, hazelnut, and sunflower seed to provide variety. Organic is best.
Tags: peanut butter, buttery taste, choice bread, flax seed, health food, your toast