The high protein, low carb dietetic whole grain bread is comprised of 10% carbohydrates, compared to an average of 50% in traditional breads.
Developed over the course of last year, it was adapted from an earlier 2011 dietetic bread product that still had high carbohydrate content.
The French contract manufacturer launched its two-slice packs in January and deliveries have already commenced in Europe and North America.
Aurélie De Shuyteneer, marketing manager at Laboratoire PYC, said the product plugs demands for bread consumption during the ‘strict diet’ stages.
“Consumers on weight management diets are more willing to follow their program if the products are tasty, varied and close to what they are used to eating. Bread is commonly used in Europe during different meals in the day but bread is often the target of criticism because of its high carbohydrate content,” De Shuyteneer told BakeryandSnacks.com.
“It was necessary to find a solution for consumers to keep consuming bread during a diet and especially the strict stage of a diet in which carbohydrates intake is limited,” she added.
While De Shuyteneer would not reveal how the carbohydrate reduction had been achieved, she did say that the firm had worked with an expert partner in bread development.
Satiety and muscle mass
The bread also boasts a high protein content with soy and wheat proteins comprising 25% of the formula.
“These proteins are used for their high satiating power and to maintain muscle mass on a diet,” De Shuyteneer said.
The product predominantly targets the weight-management market, she said, but due to the high content in proteins could also be of interest for sports nutrition.
Fiber plugged
The product is also rich in fibers, Laboratoire PYC said, with a pack of two slices providing 4g of the recommended daily intake of 20-25g of fibers.
De Shuyteneer added that this fiber from whole grains also helps in a better transit for consumers, as some vegetables and fruits are limited during the strict stage of some diet.
Accompaniments
Laboratoire PYC has also launched three ready-made dietetic spreads to be used with the bread. Its tapenade, poivronade and chocolate/hazelnut spreads, available in 40g sachets, contain over 50% fewer carbohydrates and fats than traditional spreadable products.
“The concept aims to add flavor and user-friendliness to the slimming diet offering,” the manufacturer said.