[profsummergig]

> diet is also relatively lower in bread

I've wondered about about carb substitution. The rice, and the wheat noodles, why are they healthier? (I can understand rice somewhat: it's less processed, by certain definitions.)

[Jensson]

> and the wheat noodles

Buckwheat is not wheat, soba noodles are based on buckwheat.

Not sure how large fraction of all noodles they eat are that though. Feels like there is something related to additives and other things that makes people eat more.

[ndsipa_pomu]

> Buckwheat is not wheat, soba noodles are based on buckwheat.

Whilst you're correct about buckwheat, just about all soba noodles that I've seen here in the UK are predominantly wheat based (I'm gluten sensitive, so have read a lot of product labels).

When looking for gluten free noodles in Asian supermarkets, I've only really found ones that are rice based with some rarer sweet potato vermicelli varieties.

Edit: after a brief search, I have found some Clearspring 100% buckwheat noodles which I shall have to find and buy. They also sell the more usual wheat and buckwheat version of Soba noodles.

[ein0p]

Probably slower absorption. Bread really peaks blood glucose, and therefore insulin.