It has been 250 years since Sir John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich, requested his meat be served between two slices of bread (so he didn’t have to put down his cards during a poker game the story goes). On that day the sandwich was born and today Americans consume more than a billion sandwiches a year.
In fact, according to a recent 41% of American adults eat sandwiches up to six times a week, and more than 60% of American adults eat a sandwich at least once per week. In fact, Americans like their sandwiches so much that 86% of adults maintain they would rather spend their lunchtime eating a sandwich than checking Facebook. (Ha!)
Three cheers for the Earl of Sandwich (and a game of poker).
In addition to being the anniversary of the sandwich, November is National Bread Month. To to celebrate I thought I would share with you some fun facts about grains.
Did you know:
- Grain-based foods like bread, buns, bagels, tortillas and crackers are not only healthy, they’re convenient and affordable.
- Bread and grain foods provide many essential nutrients our bodies need to stay healthy and help fight diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, some cancers and birth defects. In fact, enriched grains are the primary source of folic acid in Americans’ diets and, according to the CDC , have been credited with a 36 percent reduction in birth defects since the FDA mandated fortification of enriched grains in 1998.
- A big key to maximizing your health and energy is taking a look at your diet – including how you “fill your plate.” The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend eating six one ounce servings of grain foods each day.
- Whole grains are a good source of fiber and complex carbohydrates – and are naturally low in fat.
- White bread – whether it be sliced or as rolls and buns – is enriched, meaning that B vitamins including thiamin, and riboflavin have been added back in approximately double the amount of whole grains and niacin has been added back in its original amount.
In our house sandwiches come in all varies from the simple (and kid friendly) grilled cheese sandwiches served on Goldfish bread…
To an open-faced sandwiches that double as desert…
There are tons of ways to create the perfect sandwich for breakfast, lunch a dinner.
What is your favorite way to serve up a sandwich?
I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour for MomCentral Consulting on behalf of the Grain Foods Foundation. I received a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.