Running late for work again? Tempted to pick up a bagel from the nearby bakery but worried about the calories? With our tips on how to choose a healthy breakfast bagel, you can indulge your taste buds without worrying about the added calories.

Breakfast is considered the most important meal of the day and we tend to miss breakfast altogether if we are running late for our offices, college or school. At such times one can settle for a healthy bagel which may settle down the hunger pangs for some time. However, choosing healthy breakfast bagel may prove to be challenge, so we decided to put together some tips on how to choose healthy breakfast bagel.

Tips to choose healthy breakfast bagel

What NOT to pick

There is a wide range of bagels available in the market and making a choice may seem daunting if you are watching your weight and are concerned about the extra calories.

1) Always check the ingredients list on the bagel pack. Avoid bagels which are prepared from refined or white flour. They are considered bad carbohydrates. If the pack doesn’t mention “refined flour” check if the ingredient mentioned is “Wheat”. Wheat flour essentially means refined flour in case of bagels. 

2) Avoid bagels which have added chocolate, butter, cheese etc. as toppings as they contain more fat. 

3) Sugar jam bagels have relatively higher calories and sugar than their healthier options. 

4) Sometimes bagels are sold by layering two to three bagels together. Avoid such bagels as more the weight, more the added calories. 

What to pick

1) Pick up a bagel which has “100% Whole grain flour” or “100% Whole Wheat” mentioned as its ingredient. They are a healthier alternative to other bagels. Such bagels contain more fibre and contain comparatively lesser calories.   

2) Some healthier alternatives are bagels with the following toppings: Light cream cheese, almond spread, ricotta to name a few.  

So, the next time you feel confused on how to choose a healthy breakfast bagel when you are running late for a meeting, just spend a few minutes to check the ingredients list on the bagel nd pick up a bagel that is healthy, sumptuous and satiates your appetite without any added worries about the calories. 

Photo Source: thekitchensinkrecipes.com