Are Bagels Bad For You?
Also Known As: beigels
Short answer
Bagels about half the carbohydrates you need in a day. They're often short on fiber and heaped with toppings. Be careful how you fit them into your diet.
Recommended Alternative
More harmful than beneficial. Side effects are common, especially when consumed/done excessively. Moderation is very important.
View Full Grading System
Category 'A'
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Side effects are rare. Things rated an 'A+' are typically necessary for survival (for example, water).
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circumstances such as an allergic reaction.
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Harmful qualities may be associated, but aren't usually serious.
It is important to note that even the best things in life can become bad in immoderate amounts. So, although something may be rated an 'A+', overconsumption/overdoing can bring unwanted effects.
Category 'B'
Very beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B+' may have a few harmful qualities to pay attention to.
Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
More beneficial to your health than not. However, harmful qualities are most likely associated and shouldn't be overlooked.
The main difference between category 'A' and category 'B' is the harmful qualities typically present in 'B' items. Serious side effects are usually uncommon, but are still possible and should be taken note of.
Category 'C'
Both beneficial and harmful qualities associated. Things rated a 'C+' are typically a bit more on the beneficial side. Still, moderation is important.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
More harmful than beneficial. Side effects are common, especially when consumed/done excessively. Moderation is very important.
Category 'C' usually denotes to both good and bad qualities. When it comes to this category, it is important to keep this word in mind: moderation.
Category 'D'
Harmful to your health. Although benefits may be associated, the bad most likely outweighs the good. Moderation is very important.
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
Harmful to your health. Very few, if any, benefits are present. Things in this category should be avoided as much as possible.
Category 'D' is typically for things that are more harmful than beneficial. While consuming/doing something unhealthy once in a blue moon shouldn't hurt, we definitely recommend eliminating 'D' items as a regular part of your routine/diet.
Category 'F'
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
Category 'N'
'N' stands for neutral. Things placed into this category are generally (a) neither good nor bad for you, or (b) lack the necessary evidence to reach any conclusions.
Long answer
Carbohydrates are one of the easiest ways for your body to get calories. The USDA recommends around 130 grams of carbohydrates a day; bagels deliver almost half of that. Most are simple carbohydrates, which are quickly broken down by the body. Unless the bagel is whole wheat, there won't be much fiber to slow the sugar from those carbohydrates as it hits the bloodstream. Eating a high carb diet has been tentatively linked to higher rates of obesity and may increase the likelihood of developing cataracts.
Not all carbohydrates are created equal, however. The relationship between carbs and obesity is complicated, but it seems that carbs from fruits, whole-grain cereals, vegetables, and legumes are easier on the dieter than those from other sources. That's because those carbohydrates come with a healthy dose of fiber. Bagels that aren't whole wheat, however, don't come with much dietary fiber. Eat them sparingly or pair them with foods high in dietary fiber - like fruit at breakfast - to mitigate their high carb content.
Some varieties of bagel, such as cinnamon raisin, have significant amounts of added sugar. The added sugar isn't much good for you; it can damage your dental health and increase your risk of heart problems, obesity, and diabetes. There's not much added sugar in most bagels, of course, but eating too many foods with added sugar and low fiber can have a dangerous effect.
Some bagel toppings are better for you than others. Popsugar has a table that compares several different options: cream cheese packs a lot of calories but has little added nutrition. Hummus and egg whites, on the other hand, bring a lot of protein to the table with relatively low fat.
Bagels aren't a superfood. Eating one in the morning, however, is better for you than skipping breakfast entirely. The San Francisco Chronicle pointed to a Taiwanese study that showed skipping breakfast may be linked to higher rates of obesity. Bagels shouldn't be your only breakfast choice. They're a safe choice, however, and you'd be remiss to skip breakfast to avoid them.
Possible short-term side effects
Possible long-term side effects
- weight gain, obesity
-
diabetes
Ingredients to be aware of
- carbs
-
added sugar
-
nutritionally void toppings
Our Wellness Pick
(what is this?)
Dave's Killer Bread Bagels
- USDA Organic
- Rich in whole grains
- No artificial preservatives
- Non-GMO Project Verified
- Hearty "Everything" flavor
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