Why Eat Plain Bagels? — Gotham Bagels (2024)

FAQs

Are you supposed to eat bagels plain? ›

Rarely eaten on their own, bagels are typically paired with toppings, such as nut butter, a schmear of cream cheese or eggs, that make them more sustaining with added protein and healthy fats. "You can also try adding more food groups to turn a plain bagel into a balanced meal.

The overnight “curing” that rising bagel dough undergoes adds a very subtle tang that makes bagels stand out from regular bread. All of these elements can be tasted much, much easier without the distractions toppings bring.

In terms of calories, on average one bagel has more calories than one slice of bread. However, if you choose to have a bagel with more fibre, this may help you feel fuller for longer and potentially reduce your snacking throughout the day.

But there's a (whole) grain of truth behind the hype. They're a source of fiber, vitamins, and provide a lower glycemic load than refined white grains. That last bit is important: it's a measure of the amount of carbs in your food and how fast they enter your bloodstream.

The Correct Way to Eat a Bagel Is Open-Face. It yields a superior ratio of bagel to schmear. Welcome to the Great Bagel Boom, a series celebrating the vast creative expanses of bagel culture across America—because yes, you can find truly wonderful bagels outside of New York now.

The healthiest bagel is one made with whole grains. For a healthy bagel option, look for whole wheat or rye bagels. Sourdough bagels are also a healthy option, since sourdough bread varieties are more nutritious than white bread options.

An everything bagel is made with spices such as poppy seeds, sesame seeds, garlic, onion, salt, and pepper. Underneath an everything bagel's seasoning is a plain bagel, so the food gets the majority of its flavoring from the spice mix.

Hope for Bagel Lovers

The good news is that the calories from bagels are nutritious and good for you (when you forgo the chocolate chips or sugary toppings), so you can make room for them in your diet. As is often the case, portion size is most important. Opt for smaller bagels and stick to just a half.

According to thedailymeal.com, flagels tend to be lower in calories and carbohydrates, yet it depends on the size. If your bagel is less wide than the flagel, this doesn't mean you're eating less bagel. At this point, it's preference.

In one study on overweight women conducted at Saint Louis University in Missouri, the subjects consumed an average of 163 fewer calories for lunch after an egg breakfast. Over a 24-hour period, they consumed about 418 fewer calories than those who ate the bagel breakfast.

Is it okay to eat a bagel every day? ›

Even one bagel per day is problematic. It also depends on what range of calories and fat you're looking at for your bagel as well.

If you're eating bread or bagels while trying to lose weight, look for those made from grains with a low glycemic index. Bagels and bread aren't among your top choices when trying to lose weight. But if you love bagels or bread, you can certainly continue eating them, even when on a weight loss plan.

Based on carbohydrates and calories, approximately three slices of bread are equivalent to one medium-sized bagel.

Both bagels and muffins can be made with whole grains, providing additional nutritional value. Croissants and donuts are most often made with refined white flour, which is less packed with nutrients than whole grains.

Bagels are loaded with carbs that your body needs to function properly. They give you the energy boost you need to power through your morning commute or tackle your to-do list. And let's not forget about the protein-packed cream cheese, lox, or eggs that can take your bagel to the next level.

Simply put, fresh bagels should almost never be toasted

"If you are buying fresh-that-day bagels that still retain their moist interior and pleasantly chewy-yet-crisp crust, I would definitely caution against toasting," said Chef Dan Souza, editor-in-chief of America's Test Kitchen's Cook's Illustrated magazine.

A bagel that is not fresh out of the oven, that is at least six hours old, does need to be toasted, whether it is going to be buttered or topped with cream cheese, nova or both. Otherwise it will be too hard. A bagel that has been sliced and frozen obviously needs to be toasted when brought back to life.

Unless you've purchased a fresh-baked bagel - meaning less than six hours old - you'll want to toast your bagel before eating it. Place your bagel in an oven set to 375 °F (191 °C) for 4-5 minutes. Toasting your bagel before slicing it will give your bagel a crisp exterior, and moist, chewy center.

Bagels with cream cheese are traditionally and most commonly served open-faced, sliced horizontally and spread with cream cheese and other toppings.