Are Bagels Healthy? Nutritional Facts And Downsides

Nothing is more satisfying than a bagel with your favorite spread for breakfast.

Bagels make a healthful addition to your diet and the following list of benefits will give you more reasons to eat them. These popular baked goods are higher in calories and carbs than their sliced bread counterpart. The traditional bagel can be transformed into a healthier one with different toppings for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This crunchy ring-shaped bread has an exceptional nutrient profile. There is, however, a lot of discussion regarding bagels due to their high-calorie content. This article explores whether bagels are healthy to add to your diet, their nutritional profile, ways to make them healthier, and their potential negative effects. Scroll down.

Bagel Nutrition Facts

As per the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 105 grams of plain regular white bagel contains (1):

• Energy: 289 kcal
• Protein: 11 g
• Fat: 1.6 g
• Carbohydrate: 56.1 g
• Fiber: 2.4 g
• Calcium: 77 mg
• Potassium: 106 mg
• Sodium: 561 mg
• Iron: 1.43 mg
• Copper: 0.17 mg
• Zinc: 0.92 mg

The nutrients in bagels vary widely based on their ingredients and whether they are whole wheat or refined (a whole wheat bagel offers more fiber, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, zinc, and folate). Bagels are high in carbs and calories, and have hence earned a bad reputation. But, can bagels be good for you? Scroll down for the answer.

Are Bagels Good For You?

Bagels are made from different ingredients, due to which their nutrient values may change. And, not all types of bagels have the same nutrient profile.

In general, refined wheat flour bagels are high in calories with very few nutrients. On the other hand, whole-grain bagels can offer various vitamins, minerals, and fiber, thus filling you up faster and having potential health benefits. They are filled with more fiber and help promote digestive health (2). This can also improve gastrointestinal health and lower the risk of colon cancer (3).

A study conducted by the National University Of Health Sciences (Lombard) found that two to three servings per day of dietary whole grain can help prevent heart diseases, weight loss, type 2 diabetes, and cancer (4). If you have a weight loss goal, it is important to be mindful of your total calorie expenditure and your total calorie intake. Whole grain intake can help you maintain a healthy weight (5). Look for bagels made from whole grains such as oats, rye, and wheat and consume them in limited quantities to reap maximum benefits.

Did you know?

Bagel, also spelled as beigel, has its origin in the Jewish communities of Poland. They were gifted to women who were expecting.

The health benefits of bagels depend on their type and size. But, how do you make your bagels healthier? Scroll down to learn more in detail.

How To Make Your Bagels Healthier

1. Try Whole Grain Bagels

Check the ingredients list and look for whole grain wheat flour. Whole grain bagels are high in fiber and other important nutrients. Adequate fiber intake can promote digestive health and even reduce the risk of certain chronic ailments. Whole grain bagels and its various nutrients could also be a part of a balanced diet that may help fight disease.

Note: If you are on a low-sodium diet, you should avoid eating bagels that contain too much salt.

2. Consider Your Spreads

There are various choices of toppings for your bagel. Its nutrient value changes based on the ingredients used. Some tasty and healthy options to consider for your bagels include hummus, avocado, or almond butter. You may consider cream cheese once a while – it may be not nutrient-dense, but could be a nice option especially when topped with smoked salmon.

Be mindful of added sugar in sweet bagels and look for bagels with low sugars. There will always be some sugar needed to activate the yeast.

Quick tip

Try your bagel with healthy toppings like homemade salsa, kimchi, or spicy guacamole for an added burst of flavor.

3. Try A Thin Bagel

If you are being mindful of your calorie intake and are just as satisfied from a less dense bagel, consider a thin bagel. You can find thin bagels at most grocery stores.

These are some tips to make your bagel more healthful. But, how do you make it easily at home? Scroll down for the process.

1. How To Make Bagels Easily At Home

What You Need

• Bread flour – 3-1/2 cups
• Warm water – 11/2 cup
• Kosher salt – 2 teaspoons
• Dry active yeast – 1 packet
• Granulated sugar – 1 tablespoon
• Egg – 1
• Vegetable oil – 1 teaspoon
• Water – 1 teaspoon

Process

1. Whisk the warm water, yeast, and sugar in a bowl and set it aside for 10 minutes.
2. Combine the flour and salt in a bowl with an electric mixer.
3. Add the yeast mixture to the flour and mix it on medium speed for 6 to 8 minutes.
4. Transfer the dough to a bowl.
5. Cover the bowl with a clean dish towel and allow the dough to rise for about one hour.
6. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, preheat the oven to 425 degrees F, and line two sheet pans with parchment paper.
7. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and divide it into eight equal-sized pieces.
8. Roll each piece of dough into a ball and, using a finger, poke a hole in each piece.
9. Once the water is boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer.
10. Working in batches, drop three bagels in the water and cook for one minute per side.
11. Remove the bagels from the water using a slotted spoon and place them on the sheet pan.
12. Combine the egg and the tablespoon of water in a small bowl and whisk well. Once all the bagels have been boiled, brush them with the egg wash.
13. Bake the bagels for 15 to 18 minutes or until golden brown.
14. Allow them to cool for at least 10 minutes before serving.

Here are some more popular bagel recipes.

2. Sunflower And Chia Seed Bagels

What You Need

• Melted butter – 2 tablespoons
• Baking powder – ½ teaspoon
• Sunflower seeds – 2 tablespoons
• Chia seeds – 1 tablespoon
• Boiling water – 1 cup
• Psyllium husk powder – 1 tablespoon
• Egg -1
• Coconut flour – ½ cup

Process

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F.
2. Using a hand whisk, mix the coconut flour, psyllium husk powder, and baking powder in a bowl.
3. Add the butter and eggs and mix thoroughly until the mixture looks like breadcrumbs.
4. Add the chia seeds and sunflower seeds and gently combine them into the dough mixture using a spoon.
5. Boil the water and add to the mixture a little bit at a time, stirring thoroughly until you have a dough. Wait for the dough to cool down a bit before using your hands to shape it.
6. Cut the dough into four equal quarters. Take one of the quarters and roll it into about an 8-inch long log.
7. Join the two edges of the log together to make it into a bagel shape, pressing firmly.
8. Place the bagels on a parchment-covered baking tray and put them in the oven.
9. Bake for 15 minutes, then turn the bagels over and bake for another 15 minutes.

3. Peanut Butter Bagel

What You Need

• Split and toasted bagel – 1
• Raisins – 1 tablespoon
• Creamy peanut butter – 2 tablespoons
• Honey – 2 teaspoons

Process

1. Spread peanut butter all over the cut side of each bagel half.
2. Drizzle honey each half.
3. Top off the bagels with raisins.

4. Almond Butter Bagel

What You Need

• Sliced almonds – 1 teaspoon
• Almond butter – 1 tablespoon
• Sliced strawberries – 2
• Cinnamon raisin bagel – 1
• Chocolate chips – 1 tablespoon
• Chia seeds – ¼ teaspoon
• Sliced banana – 1
• Cream cheese – 1 tablespoon
• Nutella – 1 tablespoon

Process

1. Mix the Nutella and cream cheese until thoroughly combined and refrigerate.
2. Slice the bagel and toast until it’s golden brown or to the desired doneness.
3. Spread almond butter on both sides of the bagel.
4. Pipe 3 dollops of the Nutella-cream cheese mixture on each bagel half.
5. Garnish each bagel half with sliced strawberries and bananas.
6. Sprinkle the toasted almonds and chia seeds on the bagel.
7. Plate the bagel and serve right away.

5. Blueberry Bagel

What You Need

• 1 cup of fresh blueberries
• 4 cups of bread flour
• 2¼ teaspoons of active dry yeast
• 1½ cups of warm water
• 3 tablespoons of sugar
• 1½ teaspoons of salt
• ½ cup of cornmeal

Process

1. In a bowl with warm water, dissolve the yeast with 1 tablespoon of sugar and let sit for 5-10 minutes.
2. Mix the flour, remaining sugar, and salt in a separate bowl.
3. Combine the yeast and flour mixture to form a dough.
4. Knead the dough on a floured surface for 10 minutes, folding in the blueberries.
5. Divide the dough into 8-10 portions, shaping each into a bagel.
6. Let them rise for 20-30 minutes while preheating the oven to 425°F (220°C)
7. Drop the bagels in a pot of boiling water for 1 to 2 minutes on each side, then place them on a baking sheet sprinkled with cornmeal.
8. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.

Christina, a blogger, shared a few of her mouth-smacking bagel recipes. Among these were delicious chocolate chip bagels at home. She wrote, “The last time I made bagels was a few years ago P.B. (pre-blogging) when I made cute little tasty mini chocolate chip bagels. So delicious with cream cheese (i).”

Are bread and bagels considered the same? Find out the differences in the next section.

Bagel Vs. Bread

A typical medium-sized bagel ranges between 85 to 105 grams and contains more calories and carbs. Each whole-wheat bagel contains 245 calories, while two slices of bread range between 50 to 75 grams and have 138 calories. A serving of whole wheat bread contains 3.8 grams of fiber, and a bagel contains 4 grams of dietary fiber. Also, bagels are richer in selenium, manganese, and vitamins B3 and B9 than bread.

Excess consumption of bagels can lead to some potential drawbacks, which are listed in the following section.

Downsides Of Bagels

Excess or daily consumption of bagels is associated with some downsides such as weight gain, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. According to the National Institute of Health, the serving size of an average bagel has nearly doubled over the last 20 years. And, one serving of bagel (6 diameters) offers 350 calories (6). This does not include the spreads you use on your bagel, like cheese or butter. If you find that your bagel is not the healthiest, then try to switch to a low-calorie option or consume fewer or smaller portions.

Overconsumption of any food with more calories, like bagels, can lead to weight gain (7).

Also, foods that are rich in refined carbs like bagels may increase the risk of heart disease. A study found that diets that are full of refined carbohydrate foods or saturated fats may cause coronary heart diseases and diabetes (8), (9).

Infographic: All About Bagel

Bagel is a wonderful, popular bread that may be seen on many breakfast tables. It is paired with cream cheese or dips and fillings of choice and topped with seeds like sesame and poppy. While the wheat dough is commonly used, healthier variants produced from whole grains are also available.

In the infographic below, find out more about bagels, their different types, the history behind them, and their different alternatives.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many bagels can I eat in a day?

Limit yourself to half a bagel a day, and once per week. Opt for a whole-grain version.

Is a bagel with peanut butter healthy?

This would only be healthy if you had unrefined peanut butter and whole-grain bagels.

What’s worse: a bagel or a donut?

Glazed doughnuts are the worst. Bagels have fewer calories and sugars than glazed doughnuts (10), (11).

You may opt for whole grain bagels for added fiber and nutrients, but be mindful of portion sizes to maintain a balanced diet. Check the video below to learn more about bagels as a healthy addition to your diet.

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Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Serena BenaliRDN

 

Serena Benali is a Registered Dietitian with over 3 years of experience and is also the founder of In Good Nutrition. Before opening the doors to her private practice, Serena worked as a culinary arts instructor, teaching people of all ages how to create delicious, nutritious meals and adopt a love for food and cooking.

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Sindhu KogantiSenior Health & Wellness Writer

 

Sindhu Koganti is a Certified Health and Nutrition Life Coach and has over 6 years of experience in writing on health and wellness topics. She has a bachelor’s degree in biotechnology from Acharya Nagarjuna University, Guntur, and a diploma in nutrition from Fab Academy.

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Arshiya SyedaCo-Editor-in-Chief

Arshiya Syeda is the Co-Editor-in-Chief of StyleCraze with 8 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer who combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care.

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Aparna MallampalliHealth & Wellness Writer

Aparna is a professor-turned-content writer with over 5 years of experience in life sciences. Her passion for writing and interest in the healthcare and wellness industry pushed her toward a career in content writing. She has a master’s degree in microbiology from Osmania University, Hyderabad, and a diploma in nutrition from Fab Academy.

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