National surveys by the U.S. Department of Agriculture show that Americans average a little more than six servings of bread and other grain foods a day. However, the Food Guide Pyramid recommends a range of six to 11 servings - depending on age, gender and activity level. That means most of us are falling short of the recommendation. Bread is a great source of energy because it is rich in complex carbohydrates. There are more than 1,000 varieties of bread on the market - enough to please any palate.
Refrigeration increases the staling process.
To keep bread fresh, store at room temperature in a dark, dry place such as a breadbox or kitchen drawer. If you're not going to eat the loaf within a week, freeze it in its original packaging. Folic acid enrichment of grain foods can potentially decrease risk of neural tube birth defects, cleft lip and cleft palate, and heart disease. South Carolina was the first state to require enrichment of grain foods to curb nutrition deficiency. Cereals and breads rich in whole grains can advertise that those foods help fight heart disease and cancer.