What Exactly is a Scooped Bagel, and Does It Offer Any Health Benefits?

The debate over whether to scoop out your bagel has stirred up the internet after a man from Los Angeles was denied service for his unique breakfast request.

A man named Taylor Offer, posted a video on TikTok last week discussing his encounter ordering a 'scooped gluten-free bagel' in a bagel shop in New York City. He explained that his unusual order is generally accepted without issue in Los Angeles, but he experienced a different reaction in New York.

As per Offer, an employee at the bagel shop told him he would not scoop out his bagel, followed by telling him to leave the establishment. Offer later mentioned that he managed to get his favored scooped gluten-free bagel at another shop.

In a subsequent TikTok post, Offer justified his decision to order a scooped-out bagel, saying it gives a better ratio of less bagel to more cream cheese.

In and above creating more room for toppings such as cream cheese, the scooped-out version of bagels is considered a 'healthier' choice for individuals wanting to reduce their carb intake and manage their weight.

However, is a scooped-out bagel genuinely healthier? Or should we consume bagels in their full original form? Here’s what you need to know.

Precisely as the name suggests, a scooped bagel is a bagel with part of its inner content scooped out, resulting in an outer shell. Some bagel shops enable scooping, while others don’t. However, everyone can do it at home by following some simple steps.

When you scoop out bagel and decrease the quantity of bread, the nutritional profile of a bagel changes. However, the exact amount of reduced calories and carbs depends on the size of the bagel and the extent of the scooping.

As Deborah Cohen, DCN, an associate professor in the department of clinical and preventive nutrition sciences at Rutgers University School of Health Professions, mentioned, the calorie and carbohydrate reduction depend on how much bread is taken out from the bagel. This process varies according to the bagel type, its place of origin, and whether it’s toasted or not.

However, the consensus is that removing a significant portion of the bagel leads to a decrease in carbohydrates and calories, as stated by dietitian Jessica Cording, MS, RD, author of The Little Book of Game-Changers: 50 Healthy Habits For Managing Stress & Anxiety.

'Scooping out a bagel reduces its size to about half,' added Scott Keatley, RD, co-owner of Keatley Medical Nutrition Therapy. 'This halves the number of calories from 350 to 175 for a 4.5-inch diameter bagel. In a similar manner, Carbs are halved from around 70 grams to 35 grams.'

On this matter, opinions among nutritionists are split.

Keri Gans, MD, RDN, author of The Small Change Diet, said that the main advantage of scooped bagels is that they have reduced calories and are easier to fill with healthier ingredients. However, he also raised a concern that this method may lead to an increase in overall calorie count, with people packing it with more creamy and calorie-heavy accompaniments.

Additionally, the psychological impact of this practice is often overlooked. Cording expressed her concern regarding individuals who scoop out their bagels due to fear, restriction, or an unhealthy relationship with food.

According to nutritionists, a balanced mixture of fat and protein would make for a healthier bagel, as they balance the carbohydrates from the bread. Adding proteins such as eggs, nut butter, lox, or avocado can help prevent subsequent blood sugar dives, said Cording.

Additionally, Gans suggests eating one half of the bagel open-faced, and saving the other half for later, to further cut down on calories and carbs.

However, whether one’s stance is for or against scooping, the consensus among nutritionists is that there is no wrong way to enjoy a bagel. As Cohen assured, bagels are perfectly fine to include in a well-balanced nutritional diet.

“At the end of the day, eat your bagel the way you will enjoy it most,' added Gans.