Are Bagels And Cream Cheese Healthy

A bagel with cream cheese is a healthy choice because it is nutritious and low in calories. A typical bagel has around 250-300 calories, while the average serving of cream cheese has about 100-120 calories. This means that you can enjoy a filling breakfast or snack without worrying about packing on the pounds.

Bagels are delicious Jewish deli delicacies made from either whole wheat flour or refined white flour dough. They come in many shapes and sizes, but most have a hole in the center for toasting. While some people prefer their bagels plain, others like to add various toppings such as poppy seeds, sesame seeds, sliced almonds, raisins, or even chocolate chips. The one thing they all share is the soft texture and taste that comes from warm days and nights baking them fresh right at your local bakery.
The history of bagels dates back thousands of years ago when Jews lived near cities where bakeries were located. Since there was no refrigeration, breads had to be baked immediately after being prepared. Baked goods were often brought home by peddlers who sold them door to door. These early bagels came in different forms including flat, round, oval, and square. As time went on, Jewish bakers began using yeast instead of salt for leavening purposes.
Today, we still find classic varieties of bagels, but today’s bagels also include other styles such as twists, cinnamon rolls, hamburger buns, and hoagie rolls. Some popular brands of bagels include Dunkin’ Donuts, Newman’s Own, Sara Lee, Honey Maid, Food Lion, and Stop & Shop. If you’re looking for a healthier alternative to bagels, try using oatmeal or whole grain flours instead of white ones. Also check out recipes for homemade bagels if you want to learn how to make great tasting bagels of any variety.
Cream cheese is another product found in every kitchen pantry across America. It’s used on everything from toast to popcorn! Like bagels, not much attention is paid to the nutritional value of cream cheese. However, this isn’t necessarily bad news since cream cheese is generally considered relatively healthy. Its main ingredients are milk fat and water. Most contain less than half a gram of cholesterol per serving, which makes it an excellent source of calcium. Many experts recommend eating three servings of dairy each day for bone health. In fact, cream cheese contains more protein than skim milk, making it a smart addition to a weight loss diet.
Calories and Fat Content
In order to see what kind of calories are hidden within a package of cream cheese, let’s take a closer look at its ingredient list. One 8 ounce (227 g) container provides us with 100 calories and 12 grams of fat. That’s 12 percent of our recommended daily allowance of fat. Of course, these numbers vary depending on what type of cream cheese you buy, so read the label carefully before purchasing. You may notice that certain brands state “light” on the nutrition facts panel, indicating lower calorie counts. If you choose light cream cheese over regular, you will save 50 calories and 4 grams of fat per 2 oz (57g) serving.
If you don’t eat cream cheese alone, chances are that you consume it on something else. For example, a slice of bread topped with a dollop of butter is a quick way to increase your fat intake significantly. When choosing between buying bagels with cream cheese and skipping the extra topping altogether, consider cutting down on the amount of butter you use on your morning toast. Another option is to skip the bagels entirely and grab a piece of fruit instead. Fruit provides fiber and antioxidants, both essential components of a heart-healthy diet.
Healthy Breakfast Ideas With Cream Cheese
For those mornings when you need a little extra energy boost, here are a few suggestions for tasty breakfasts that feature cream cheese without adding too much fat or sugar.
1. Toasted Bagel with Sliced Lox – Whether you’re having lox for lunch or dinner, it’s always nice to mix things up by trying new ways to prepare it. Try replacing the traditional bagels with toasted bagels. Instead of hot lox, spread slices of cold salmon thinly over two toasted bagels. Top with capers, red onions, thinly cut dill pickles, chives, and black pepper. Drizzle the open face pieces with a mixture of sour cream and nonfat Greek yogurt. Serve with cucumber spears or radishes.
2. Scrambled Eggs with Smoked Salmon – This recipe uses eggs and smoked salmon to create a super-fast meal that packs a punch of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins C and D. Start by cooking four large eggs in boiling water for five minutes. Drain and rinse under cool running water until cooled completely. Next, crack the eggs into small bowls and whisk together with a pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon of butter in a medium skillet over medium heat. Pour in egg mixture and cook, stirring constantly with a spatula, until set. Remove skillet from heat and fold in 3 ounces (85 g) chopped smoked salmon. Return to heat and stir continuously for 30 seconds to finish cooking. Divide scrambled eggs among plates or transfer to a bowl. Garnish with parsley leaves and serve with toast points.
3. Spinach Omelet – An omelet filled with vegetables is a fast and easy way to get a good dose of vitamins A, C, and K. Plus, spinach offers iron, folate, copper and manganese. Here’s how it works: First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (176 degrees Celsius). Place six large eggs onto a lightly greased 10 inch (25 cm) glass pie plate. Sprinkle with a dash of seasoned salt and cracked black pepper. Using a fork, beat the eggs until fluffy. Add 1 cup (240 ml) vegetable broth and ¼ teaspoon minced garlic. Stir in 2 cups (360 ml) shredded spinach leaves. Grease a 9 inch (22.8 centimeter) nonstick pan with olive oil spray. Spray a 6 inch (15.2 centimeter) loose-fitting lid with nonstick spray. Set aside. Once your oven reaches temperature, place four frozen chicken tenders in the microwave for one minute. Slice off the hard ends of green onion stalks and remove the outer layers. Rinse and dry thoroughly. Shave Parmesan cheese lengthwise into thin strips. Toss diced tomatoes, zucchini, basil, thyme, oregano, and marjoram into the blender. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cut the tender parts from the remaining broccoli stems. Peel the tough skin away from the ginger root. Trim the edges of the mushrooms. Wash and dice the peppers. Mix together the cornstarch, soy sauce, honey mustard, and chili paste. Spread the spicy mixture evenly over the bottom of the pan. Arrange the chicken tenders side by side along the sides of the pan. Spoon the egg mixture over top of the chicken. Close the pan tightly with foil and bake for 15 minutes. Take the lid off the pan and continue baking for another 5 minutes. Carefully lift the edge of the foil with tongs and peek inside. If needed, gently push down on the corners of the dish with the back of a spoon to allow steam to escape. Let stand for five minutes. Unwrap the foil and sprinkle the shaved Parmesan evenly over the surface of the omelette. Slide onto a platter and garnish with scallions, cilantro sprigs, and lime wedges.
4. Low-Fat Banana Pancakes – No matter what your preference is in terms of sweetener, bananas provide a natural sweetness and moisture that complement pancakes perfectly. In this recipe, bananas replace the usual syrup. Simply mash ripe bananas in a mixing bowl until smooth. Then, combine with ½ cup (120 ml) vanilla pancake mix. Whisk in 1 egg, 1 banana, and 1/3 cup (80 ml) melted butter or margarine. Cook on a griddle coated with nonstick cooking spray. Makes eight pancakes.

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