Alternatives for automatic breadmakers

I just got an automatic bread maker, and I'm wondering what alternatives I have for making healthy breads. For instance - most of the recipes that were included list sugar as one of the ingredients. Is an artificial sweetener such as Splenda or Equal an alternative, or is real sugar integral to the baking process? Same with eggs - can egg beaters be substituted sucessfully?
Any other suggestions you may have for making a healthier loaf of bread? Thanks!
Any other suggestions you may have for making a healthier loaf of bread? Thanks!
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Lowfat Breads
Nobody is motivated all the time (or if she is, she is probably annoying).
-SARK
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Do any of you have a bread maker that makes jams too? The one I got does, but it only came with one recipe.
I also think that the Splenda would probably be fine in a bread machine...even though the yeast needs the sugar, the Splenda is made from sugar so I would assume that it would have nearly the same effect that natural sugar would. Dont quote me on that though!
One more thing, if you ever need a substitute butter, try using the Parkay spray to bake with. The squeeze variety is awful but the spray is fabulous to use with baking! No funky taste and it has hardly any calories and no fat--always a plus!
edited to add: I agree with using the whole wheat flour from the bins at the health food section. Also, unbleached white flour seems to make a better bread.
[ March 21, 2002: Message edited by: reeni ]
The top of the bread collapsed during baking and the loaf came out very dense with a very hard cust on the sides and bottom. It tastes fine, but is a little chewy, and of course the crust is hard but not burned.
The troubleshooting guide said that it might have been a result of using too much liquid, but I thought I had measured everything very carefully. I did make two substitutions to the recipe - egg beaters for the egg it called for, and brown sugar instead of regular sugar.
I'm going to get a new set of measuring cups tonight or tomorrow and try again. Any ideas or suggestions you have to avoid a repeat with my next loaf (cheese bread) would be appreciated.