Making Your Own Bread Has More Benefits Than You Think

After the sourdough craze that characterized the start of the pandemic, some baking enthusiasts have kept bread-making as a part of their weekly wellness routines — with good reason. While you may think that baking your own bread is much too time-consuming to undertake, the benefits will likely have you rethinking that logic.

First of all, making your own bread creates a unique sense of pride in your cuisine. If you need a side for dinner, you have your homemade bread. Looking for breakfast toast? Your homemade bread will taste much better than your classic store-bought version. Plus, Taste of Home notes, you'll also take it easier on your wallet when you make your own. When you pick up some flour, yeast, salt and sugar, the total of the ingredients per loaf is slightly lower than if you purchase one at the store. While there may be a learning curve to finding and baking your favorite recipe, homemade bread will likely taste better and more fresh. 

Of course, when it comes to making bread, what's on the inside of the loaf is the most important part. If you suffer from food allergies, finding a bread recipe that's safe for you can be a tasty, customized option that makes your life a lot easier in the long run, Live Strong notes.

If you've ever looked at the ingredient list for store-bought bread, you've likely seen a laundry list of hydrogenated oils and other stabilizers. At home, your loaf only really needs a few basic ingredients like flour, water, yeast and salt. Depending on the recipe you use, you can also use ingredients such as honey and whole wheat, Taste of Home explains. Plus, bread companies use a lot of salt to increase the shelf life of their products, with up to 130 mg of sodium per slice, Live Strong reports. With many recipes calling for just a teaspoon or so of salt, you'll have healthier bread at your fingertips.

Furthermore, the marketing jargon on most packaged breads often inflates the amount of whole grains it contains. The outlet explains that, when you make your own bread, you'll know exactly what's in your loaf as well as how many grams of whole grains it really has packed within.

In addition to its multiple health and nutrition benefits, baking bread may also give you a mental health boost. Focusing your mind on a tactile sensation of kneading and creating bread can leave you feeling more peaceful than you might think. Wise Living Magazine cites a study in which mental health patients baked bread and "felt happier, more creative, and less anxious" after doing so.

Try it for yourself and enjoy the feeling of accomplishment and delicious taste!