Why Wrap > Sandwich

You stop at a deli- you see a wrap and a sandwich. Choices!! Which to choose?….

A sandwich has its advantages: 1) It is delicious, duh!! 2) Easy to eat and 3) Less messy compared to a wrap. But, if you are trying to eat smart, a wrap may be a smarter choice than a sandwich.

For a typical American lunch, you will need a protein source (say, a burger), some veggies and a dressing to stuff inside a sandwich or a wrap. The stuffing inside is essential so as to not be hungry. But, if the carbohydrate to filling ratio can be reduced, then why not?

It is not a question of nutrition, just math. Here are a few disadvantages to a sandwich-

Extra Calories

For a sandwich, you need a top and a bottom portion to be able to hold the sandwich. Each slice of sandwich in this case is 110 calories, the same as 1/2 lavash roll that I used for the wrap.

So, if you chose the roll, you have an extra 110 calories, from the top bread slice, to ‘spend’ on something else filling. Have some carrots and hummus on the side, or some nuts or even some chips. Alternatively, you could choose not to eat those extra 110 calories and pocket the deficit as well.

Reduced Stuff-ability

There is also some restrictions with filling a sandwich. The filling has to be slices, and you cannot stack it beyond a point. A wrap on the other hand can stuff in a lot more veggies, unlike a sandwich which can topple over. You cannot possibly open your mouth like an anaconda too if your stuffing exceeds a certain amount.

A wrap can be stuffed with a lot of low calorie veggies with some ninja-wrapping skills 🙂

If you like sandwiches, and have always eaten a sandwich every single day like Scott Walker, then go ahead. You don’t have to change a single bit. But, if you are looking for smart swaps and areas to cut down, this is a very easy swap to consider.