If you’re wondering whether or not pretzels are a healthy snack, you probably haven’t discovered Unique Pretzel’s Sprouted “Splits” and Sprouted Shells made from 100% whole grain sprouted flour!
Unique Pretzel Bakery has been baking pretzels in Reading, PA since the 1890s and has continued to grow and innovate for six generations. Our most famous brand is Unique Pretzels “Splits”, a split-open pretzel we make from a treasured family recipe. Today, we make 16 delicious varieties of pretzels that are available from our website and in stores along the East Coast.
For our customers who want to eat better, we’ve introduced the first (and only) 100% Whole Grain Sprouted Flour pretzels in the industry. Sprouted “Splits” and Sprouted Shells give you a higher percentage of healthy whole grain in every bite along with the important vitamins and minerals you would miss out on in products made with refined flour. You can find our whole grain pretzels at Wegmans, Fresh Market, Whole Foods and Giant stores.
Health Benefits of Whole Grains
We’re constantly told that whole grains are good for us. The USDA says we should eat grains daily, and half of them should be whole grains (about 48 grams). So what are they, and why are their health benefits so impressive?
Whole grains are seeds that have not yet sprouted (germinated). They are intact, meaning that all of the original components are there – bran, germ and endosperm. When grains are refined, the bran and germ are stripped away, taking most of the nutrients with them.
Studies suggest that eating enough whole grains may decrease the risk of:
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Type 2 diabetes
- Hypertension
- Obesity
- Colorectal cancer
New research on whole grains published in the Journal of the American Medical Association indicates that, for every 28 grams of whole grains consumed per day, there was a 5% reduction in total mortality and an impressive 9% reduction in mortality from cardiovascular disease. Those 28 grams are just slightly more than the 25 grams of whole grains in every 8-ounce serving of Unique’s organic sprouted 100% whole wheat pretzels!
Tips: To be sure you are getting the healthiest pretzels, look beyond the front of the package. It may say “whole grain”, “multi-grain”, “7-grain”, or “100% wheat”, but the product may contain only a small amount of whole grains, if any. Don’t be fooled by products that are brown; they may have been colored with brown sugar or molasses. A good indicator is a “100% Whole Grain Stamp” on the package from the Whole Grains Council which confirms that the product contains at least half a serving of whole grain.
About Sprouted Grains and Flours
Not only do our Unique Pretzel Sprouted “Splits” and Sprouted Shells contain whole grain, they are made with a revolutionary new sprouted whole wheat flour from Essential Eating® Sprouted Foods. It has great flavor, is kosher certified, USDA Certified organic, and GMO-free.
When whole grains are sprouted (germinated), products made with them offer even more health benefits. First, whole grains are starches (complex carbohydrates) and can be difficult for some people to digest. When properly sprouted, they become simple sugars (simple carbohydrates) and are recognized and digested by the body as vegetables rather than as starches.
Tips: Some products are made from a sprouted grain “mash,” which is paste, not flour. They are typically coarser in texture and bitter tasting (which means sweeteners must be added). They also have a short shelf life. If you find the products in the freezer section, they are usually made from sprouted “mash.” Look for sprouted flour on the label.
Our whole grain pretzels can help you satisfy your daily whole grain requirement while still treating yourself to a delicious, crunchy and healthy snack. Try Sprouted “Splits” and Sprouted Shells today!