If you follow the exchange method of meal planning, then you've probably been told that one bread exchange equals 15 grams of carbohydrate. But there are many varieties of bread - and they're not all 15 grams of carbohydrate!

A recent issue of Diabetes Self-Management listed the precise nutritional values in a number of specialty breads. Here's an overview of the carbohydrate content:

• Bagels - 1 serving ranges from 30g (Lender's frozen, plain) to 57g (New York Style cinnamon swirl)
• English muffins - 1 serving can be as low as 24g (Thomas' honey wheat) or as high as 56g (Wolferman's cinnamon and raisin)
• Pita bread - ranges from 15g (Jude's wheat or white) to 42g (Athens onion, wheat, or white) per serving
• Tortillas - one tortilla can have 12g (Manny's flour, handmade) or 30g (Whole Foods traditional)

The key to accurate counting is, of course, the size of the serving. Read those labels!

Related information: Lifestyle - Diet | Nutrition channel | About Servings | About Food Labels

Source:  Cooper N. Supermarket Smarts - Specialty Breads. Diabetes Self-Management, Nov/Dec. 2001, 89-97.