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What is High Protein Bread?

Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel

High protein bread is a bread that is often a kitchen staple for people focused on diet, nutrition, exercise, and wellness. It is eaten by people looking for a way to lose weight and pack extra protein into their diets. One of the ways that protein is added into these breads is by the use of nuts and other high-protein ingredients. One common ingredient in high protein bread is soy flour. Many artisan bread companies and specialty bakeries sell high protein bread.

One of the drawbacks to high protein bread is that it often has a shorter shelf life than regular bread. For this reason, it is often bought in smaller quantities. Some people who really enjoy this kind of bread and like to have it on hand at all times actually go so far as to bake it themselves. This kind of bread is usually just as easy to make as any other kind of bread.

A simple recipe for high protein bread calls for the following ingredients:

A drawback of high protein breads is that it has a short shelf life.
A drawback of high protein breads is that it has a short shelf life.

Dry yeast, 4 Tablespoons (about 56 grams)
Warm Water, 3 Cups (675 milliliters)
Egg, 1
Honey, 1/2 Cup (118 milliliters)
Salt, 1/2 Tablespoon (about 14 grams)
Vegetable Oil, 1/2 Cup (118 milliliters)
Soy Flour, 1/2 Cup (118 milliliters)
Whole Wheat Flour, 7 1/2 Cups (about 1.7 kilograms)
Unbleached Flour, 2 Cups (about 450 grams)

First sprinkle the yeast over the water. Add the honey and wait until the yeast bubbles, which will take five to ten minutes. Then add the oil, salt, egg, unbleached flour, and soy flour to the mixture. After mixing this thoroughly, begin adding the whole wheat flour until the dough becomes thick. This will take about 5 1/2 cups (about 1.25 kilograms) of the whole wheat flour. Use another cup (about 225 grams) of the whole wheat flour to sprinkle on the kneading board and knead the bread for ten minutes.

High protein bread is usually kneaded by hand.
High protein bread is usually kneaded by hand.

The dough should then be left to rise for one hour in a covered bowl. Be sure to put it in a warm space. Use the last cup (about 225 grams) of flour to sprinkle on the kneading board again and work it into the dough while kneading the bread for about five minutes until all of the air bubbles are worked out. The dough is ready to rise once again. Once it has risen, divide it into three loaves, places these in oiled, standard bread loaf-sized pans, and bake for 30 to 35 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (about 176 degrees Celsius). Note that the oven should be cool when the pans are placed inside.

Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel

In addition to her work as a freelance writer for WiseGEEK, Diane is the executive editor of Black Lawrence Press, an independent publishing company based in upstate New York. She has also edited several anthologies, the e-newsletter Sapling, and The Adirondack Review. Diane has a B.A. from Sarah Lawrence College and an M.A. from Brooklyn College.

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Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel

In addition to her work as a freelance writer for WiseGEEK, Diane is the executive editor of Black Lawrence Press, an independent publishing company based in upstate New York. She has also edited several anthologies, the e-newsletter Sapling, and The Adirondack Review. Diane has a B.A. from Sarah Lawrence College and an M.A. from Brooklyn College.

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Discussion Comments

EdRick

@MrsWinslow - It depends on how you add the protein. You'll notice that the recipe given actually doesn't include nuts; it has soy flour. Soy flour and whey protein are ways to add protein without adding a ton of calories.

If you're interested in weight loss, keep in mind that it's not just about reducing calories. You'll want the food you eat packed with nutrition. Foods high in protein will be more satisfying than other foods, and reducing fat but not calories won't do you any good. (Good fats are important to eat and, again, will help you feel fuller.) Fill up with fruits and veggies so your tummy won't feel empty, sure, but don't forget fats and proteins to help you keep feeling full.

MrsWinslow

Don't high protein foods like this bread just have more calories? The article talks about adding nuts and that kind of thing; wouldn't that also add a lot of fat? I'm interested in weight loss and I don't want to just add calories.

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    • A drawback of high protein breads is that it has a short shelf life.
      A drawback of high protein breads is that it has a short shelf life.
    • High protein bread is usually kneaded by hand.
      By: kei u
      High protein bread is usually kneaded by hand.
    • Whole-wheat flour may be used to make vegan high protein bread.
      By: m.u.ozmen
      Whole-wheat flour may be used to make vegan high protein bread.
    • Some types of high protein bread are sweetened with honey.
      By: Nitr
      Some types of high protein bread are sweetened with honey.
    • High protein bread may substitute wheat flour with soy flour.
      By: fabiomax
      High protein bread may substitute wheat flour with soy flour.