Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Spinach Wraps Versus Brioche Rolls

Tuna in a Spinach Wrap

While I'm huffing and puffing away in spin class on Saturday  mornings, I think about what I'm going to have for lunch.  This past weekend, I thought I'd try having a spinach wrap.  I thought they would be much healthier than having my usual brioche roll.  I buy the rolls individually from Westside Market.  They don't list the nutritional facts but I found the information on the brioche rolls sold at Trader Joe's.

Tuna on brioche roll

The results were surprising.  They both have 160 calories - the wraps have 30 calories from fat and the brioche rolls have 60 calories from fat.  The wraps have more carbs - 28 grams versus 22 grams with the brioche rolls.  Here's the info on the spinach wraps:

Toufayan Bakeries Spinach Wraps
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 1 wrap (57g)
Amount Per Serving
Calories from Fat 30
Calories 160
% Daily Values*
Total Fat 3g 5%
Saturated Fat 0.5g 2%
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 315mg 13%
Total Carbohydrate 27g 9%
Dietary Fiber 3g 12%
Sugars 1g
Protein 6g
Vitamin A 0%Vitamin C 0%
Calcium 10%Iron 6%
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Thought I'd try crabmeat instead of tuna

I happened upon a can of crabmeat at Fairway.  I thought it would be a nice change from my usual tuna.  It was $3.89 for the can.

Crabmeat from a can: mushy

I don't know what I was expecting for $3.89 a can - and I've already experienced the mushiness of  Bumble Bee tuna.  You guessed it.  The crabmeat was even mushier.  But I added enough interesting elements to make it taste OK. 

Red cabbage and raddishes

 
Tomato, banana peppers, kalamata olives and cherry tomatoes

Not bad




Here's the info on the brioche rolls:

Trader Joe's Brioche Rolls
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 1 roll (51g)
Amount Per Serving
Calories from Fat 60
Calories 160
% Daily Values*
Total Fat 6g 9%
Saturated Fat 4g 20%
Cholesterol 40mg 13%
Sodium 220mg 9%
Total Carbohydrate 22g 7%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Sugars 3g
Protein 5g
Vitamin A -Vitamin C -
Calcium -Iron -
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

On Sunday, I made the spinach wrap with Cento tuna - a big improvement


I buy Cento tuna packed in olive oil

Again, with kalamata olives, peppers and tomatoes

The verdict:

I don't see any big difference between having your sandwich on a wrap or on a roll as far as calories, fat and carbs are concerned.  It was a nice change having the wrap, however.  And the wraps are much less expensive.  The package I bought cost $2.99.  The individual rolls I bought from Westside Market are 99 cents each.

The choice is yours - just don't be fooled by a name - spinach wraps are about the same as bread when it comes to nutrition - thought they are higher in fiber, which is a good thing.  I plan to switch back and forth between the two - variety is the spice of life, afterall!





No comments:

Post a Comment