Common food
A slice of white bread transformed by heat, its surface turns a deep golden-brown while the interior remains soft and airy. The toasting process creates a delightful crunch and a subtle, nutty sweetness through the Maillard reaction. Nutritionally, it's a quick source of carbohydrates, providing about 293 calories and 54 grams of carbs per 100 grams.
People love its comforting, warm aroma and the satisfying contrast between its crisp exterior and soft interior. It's the ultimate blank canvas, beloved for its versatility in everything from a simple buttered slice to a complex avocado toast.
As a refined carbohydrate, it can cause rapid blood-sugar spikes and offers limited fiber (2.5g/100g). To counteract this, pair it with protein (like eggs or nut butter) or healthy fats (like avocado or olive oil) to slow digestion. Those watching sodium intake should be mindful, as some commercial breads are high in salt.
The word 'toast' comes from the Latin 'tostus,' meaning 'scorched' or 'dried by heat,' reflecting its ancient origin as a way to preserve bread and improve its flavor.
| Water | 29.3 g |
| Energy | 293 kcal |
| Protein | 10.4 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 3.9 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 54.1 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 2.5 g |
| Total Sugars | 5.9 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 232 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 3.7 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 30.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 124 mg |
| Potassium, K | 129 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 495 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.97 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.14 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 25.5 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.45 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.26 mg |
| Niacin | 5.2 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.10 mg |
| Folate, total | 104 ug |
| Folic acid | 80.0 ug |
| Folate, food | 23.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 160 ug |
| Choline, total | 16.0 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 0.00 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 46.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.24 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 0.20 ug |
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.90 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.54 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.28 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.79 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.02 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.78 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 2.1 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 1.8 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.22 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Does toasting bread change its calorie content?
Toasting primarily removes water, so a slice of toast weighs less than the original bread. This means the calories per gram increase, but a single slice's total calorie count remains roughly the same as the untoasted slice it came from.
Is toasted bread healthier than untoasted?
The toasting process doesn't significantly alter the core nutritional profile. It can form a small amount of resistant starch, which may benefit gut health, but the primary health impact comes from the type of bread used and what you put on it.
Why does my toast sometimes taste bitter?
The bitter taste comes from the Maillard reaction and slight charring. If the bread is toasted at too high a temperature or for too long, compounds like acrylamide can form, contributing to bitterness and a less desirable flavor.