Do You Bagel?
Do you bagel? Sadly, I do not. <Sigh> Oh, how I miss bagels. So crusty on the outside and warm on the inside – slathered with gooey cream cheese. But a Bagel-A-Day habit back in college got me in big trouble, so I stay far, far away from these delectable treats. Seriously, I eat about three bagels a year – one on Christmas (it’s a tradition), one while on vacation, and one if I visit NYC or a really good bagel shop.
My kids, on the other hand, do indulge in bagels for breakfast on a more regular basis. Am I worried that they will end up on a childhood obesity track? Not currently. They both swim daily and they both have body weights that have been tracking in the lean to normal range. But I do like to give them the most nutritious bagel I can find in the supermarket.
So what national brand bagel gets the best NuVal score? It’s Lender’s Whole Grain Multi Grain Bagel with a score of 37. Compare that to Thomas’s Plain Whole Grain Bagels, which score a 16. So what’s the difference? According to the Nutrition Team at NuVal, Lender’s uses all whole wheat flour plus other grains and seeds that boost its fiber to 7 grams. While Thomas’s name boasts “whole grain”, the bagels are primarily enriched wheat flour plus some whole wheat flour mixed in, providing only 3 grams of fiber per bagel. Lender’s score is also driven by sodium and use of soybean oil which contains omega-3 fatty acids.
See, that’s why you have to be really careful about those claims that you see on packages. “Whole Grain” can mean a lot of different things.
So, it’s Lender’s Whole Grain bagels to give my kids the energy they need for their swimming lessons and free swim time. We also round it out with some fresh fruit to really boost the NuVal score.
Question of the Day
Do you indulge in bagels? Come on – tell the truth!
Yesterday’s Giveaway
Congratulations to Commenter #205 Lisa! You’ve won the Cereal Giveaway. A box of Peanut Butter Puffins and a box of Kashi Autum Wheat are coming your way. Just send me an email at abetterbagofgroceries@gmail.com with your mailing address so that I can send it out to you. Thank you to everyone who entered.
Posted by: Melissa 23 comments
Posted in: Breakfast
Tags: Bagels
on Aug 11th, 2010 at 7:25 am
on a regular basis? no, i’m happy with my ezekiel english muffins – so much more healthy bang for your (calorie) buck
but once in a while, especially after a long run? DEFINITELY! love everything with egg, cheese & tomato or cinn-raisin with peanut butter. i would be sad to cut anything i love out of my diet as an absolute ‘never’!
on Aug 11th, 2010 at 7:48 am
I used to love a bagel and cream cheese but since my lactose intolerance has gotten worse I eat them very rarely and when I do have one its with egg whites or hummus roasted red pepper and hummus or just pb. While I love those, nothing is quite like a bagel and cream cheese ((sigh))
on Aug 11th, 2010 at 8:17 am
I do NOT indulge in bagels, but dang. I also wish I did. I probably don’t even have 3 a year. Although, this is a great idea! I better pick my 3 days wisely
on Aug 11th, 2010 at 8:23 am
I swore off bagels for so long. And I’ve moved away from swearing off food. Currently I have a package of bagel thins in my fridge – I love that they are protion controlled!
on Aug 11th, 2010 at 8:39 am
No not really. However, I have been changing my eating habits do this new book I am reading. I am not labeling any food forbidden and if I wanted a bagel I would go get one.
on Aug 11th, 2010 at 9:21 am
I don’t eat regular bagels any more, but I now sometimes indulge in a Thomas 100% Whole Wheat Bagel Thins. As to the cream cheese it has to be the soy cream cheese. It’s not perfect, but, it better than nothing.
on Aug 11th, 2010 at 9:26 am
My husband eats a bagel almost every morning. I think it’s such a weird habit. I enjoy one on occasion but I usually scoop out the inside. Seriously, you won’t miss it!!
on Aug 11th, 2010 at 10:21 am
I used to, but I think I’ve had exactly one in the last 6 months. Those Thomas Bagel Thins are pretty tempting, though!
on Aug 11th, 2010 at 10:21 am
I’ve been eating the Thomas’ Bagel Thins, but not all that often and not with cream cheese. Usually, I use them in place of a Sandwich Thin in sandwiches.
on Aug 11th, 2010 at 10:36 am
I love bagels,but only eat them on rare occassions.I like making toasted bagel sandwiches on everything bagels:-)cc
on Aug 11th, 2010 at 11:30 am
btw thanks again for the mac and cheese…My husband doesn’t eat as healthy as I do so anytime I can convince him to try something that is healthier and replace it with the old processed product is a definite WIN
on Aug 11th, 2010 at 11:53 am
I have a bagel once in a blue moon. I like to slice it in thirds so I can enjoy it longer. I like to use each piece as an open faced sandwich. Farmer’s Market 6 or $1.50.
on Aug 11th, 2010 at 12:18 pm
Not so much for breakfast any more, but once in a while I like to kick my cold sandwhich up a notch by replacing the sliced bread with a toasted everything bagel. Lots of whole grains floating right on the outside of it, and oh so tasty. I just hope the score allows me to continue eating them (after the scores are posted in our store in October)
on Aug 11th, 2010 at 12:51 pm
Sadly bagels seem to have the same effect on me that it did you in college. *sighs*
While I do keep them stocked in the fridge for the kids, they don’t eat them everyday and since they are extremely active and very skinny I don’t worry about them eating them a few days a week.
However, I was buying Thomas & I think I will be switching now. Thanks!
on Aug 11th, 2010 at 12:53 pm
The new “Bagel Thins” are a pretty good thing. They come in at 2points on the WW points scale (I combine my own version of WW so I can’t say I follow their program but i kinda use their point style system). I believe they’re about 100 calories and fairly high in fiber. I love the EVERYTHING Bagel Thins. Check them out if you feel like indulging in bagels but not all those calories and fat! Ohhh.. and add some Laughing Cow cheese on it for a “just like cream cheese ‘n bagels” breakfast!
on Aug 11th, 2010 at 1:14 pm
I love bagels…gluten-free bagels are my favorite!!!
on Aug 11th, 2010 at 2:14 pm
I used to Bagel, but now I eat toast using Nature’s Own 100% Whole Wheat bread, NuVal score of 81 I believe. I use a tiny bit of Smart Balance Light spread and sugar free strawberry preserves with it. When fresh strawberries are in season, I make my own strawberry spread.
on Aug 11th, 2010 at 3:13 pm
It’s probably been a year and a half since I had my last bagel. I’m not real crazy about them, but I have been known to eat them occasionally. I ate a bagel-a-day one summer during college, and I wound up gaining 20 lbs. It wasn’t 100% the bagel’s fault, but it definitely contributed to the mountains of sugar and refined (cheap) carbs I ate that summer and my insane insulin-induced hunger.
on Aug 11th, 2010 at 3:38 pm
I love bagels. Right now I’m eating a mix between cherrios and uncle sams. I love that mixture!
on Aug 11th, 2010 at 4:30 pm
Ahh, there was a place near my dorm last year that sold 45 cent bagels every Monday from 4pm-7pm! You’d best believe I enjoyed one–whole wheat of course! Nothing beats a warm, soft bagel!
on Aug 11th, 2010 at 5:17 pm
I LOVE bagels, but sadly shy away. Have you ever heard of the Alternative Bagel brand. Check out their website. I’ve been considering ordering from them. Wonder what the nutritional stats would be?
on Aug 11th, 2010 at 5:22 pm
I do occasionally for lunch…I’m not sure how healthy they are, but when I do it’s Dunkin Donuts multi grain bagel and I bring my own natural peanut butter to top it with and try to eat just the top.
on Nov 27th, 2010 at 6:32 pm
[...] Do You Bagel? – A Better Bag of Groceries So what national brand bagel gets the best NuVal score? It's Lender's Whole Grain Multi Grain Bagel with a score of 37. Compare that to Thomas's Plain Whole Grain Bagels, which score a 16. So what's the difference? According to the Nutrition Nothing beats a warm, soft bagel! #21 Vanessa on Aug 11th, 2010 at 05:31 pm. I LOVE bagels, but sadly shy away. Have you ever heard of the Alternative Bagel brand. Check out their website. I've been considering ordering from them. [...]