I'm a Dietitian, and This Is My Favorite Healthy Bread (2024)

Just like Oprah, I love bread. All kinds of bread, too. I love toast, sandwiches, garlic bread, bread straight from the oven...yum. Some bread, however, may be better for you than others, so I try to choose whole-grain breads more often. The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend making at least half your grains whole. Whole grains have beneficial fiber that refined grains don't. Fiber is good for your gut health, heart health, blood sugar and more.

The bread aisle can be confusing—there are so many options to choose from! The one type that always stands out to me as a good choice is sprouted grain bread. These breads are often found in the freezer, and they're made with whole grains. They also tend to have less sodium and more protein than many other breads. Here's why I love sprouted grain bread, plus a bit more on what to look for when you're buying bread.

Why Sprouted Grain Bread Is My Favorite Healthy Bread

I'm a Dietitian, and This Is My Favorite Healthy Bread (1)

Pictured Recipe: West Coast Avocado Toast

Whole Grains

Sprouted grain breads are made from sprouted grains. That means they contain whole grains as the first ingredient, so the beneficial fiber and vitamins remain in the bread. Sprouted grains are a bit different than regular grains because of the process of sprouting. The grains are soaked, which begins a process of sprouting, and because of that process, they may be more easily digestible. Look for whole grains first on the ingredient list.

Protein

This varies by brand, but sprouted grain bread tends to have 4 to 5 grams of protein per slice. That means if you make a sandwich, you can get 10 grams of plant-based protein just from the bread! White bread has just 2 grams per slice, but some non-sprouted whole-grain breads can also have 4g per slice. Protein is important because it helps keep you satisfied for longer, and it's nice to balance the carbs in the bread. Check the labels when you shop and look for bread with at least a few grams of protein per slice.

Fiber

Like any whole-grain bread, you'll get the fiber benefits with sprouted-grain breads. Most have about 3 grams per slice. Most Americans don't hit the recommended amounts of 25 grams of fiber per day for females and 38 grams per day for males. Fiber is another key nutrient to look for in bread because it helps slow down digestion and blunt blood sugar spikes (and subsequent crashes). Choosing whole-grain bread can help you get more fiber, in addition to eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, seeds and other whole grains.

No Added Sugar

Bread could be a sneaky source of added sugar, even in whole-grain options like multigrain or whole-wheat. Some have more than 1 teaspoon (4 grams) per slice. Many types of sprouted grain bread have no added sugar or just 1 gram. There's nothing wrong with added sugar, but it's something most of us get too much of in our typical diets, and I'd rather have mine in a cookie or something I'm really going to enjoy.

Lower in Sodium

Sodium is another nutrient many of us get too much of. Bread is actually the number one source of sodium in our diets. Lots of bread products have a fair amount of sodium—and that's before you start adding salty toppings like cold cuts or cheese. Sprouted grain breads tend to be lower in salt, but always check labels, especially if you're being mindful of the sodium in your diet. Ezekiel bread, a popular brand of sprouted-grain bread, has under 100 mg per slice.

Carb Counts

If you have diabetes or you're keeping an eye on your carb intake, sprouted grain breads have about 15 grams per slice, which is considered one carb serving. They're not necessarily lower in carbs than other types of bread, but since the slices tend to be smaller, they may have a more modest carb count than some bigger bakery-style slices.

A Registered Dietitian Answers All of Your Carb Questions

The Bottom Line

In general, you want to look for whole-grain bread that has some fiber, protein and not too much sodium or added sugar per slice. Sprouted grain bread hits all those marks and has a hearty texture that I think is delicious when toasted. Look for it in the freezer section or natural section of the grocery store if you don't see it in the bread aisle. I still enjoy other types of breads, including whole-wheat bread, sourdough bread and white bread sometimes, but I almost always have sprouted grain bread in my freezer for making my favorite breakfast or a sandwich.

I'm a Dietitian, and This Is My Favorite Healthy Bread (2024)

FAQs

What is the best bread to eat for weight loss? ›

Whole grain bread is the healthiest pick for weight. It provides you with the nutrition of several whole grains like oats, barley, corn and others. Whole grain means whole kernel -the bran, germ and endosperm, which makes them highly nutritious.

Which white bread is the healthiest? ›

Best: Dave's Killer Bread White Bread Done Right

"Dave's Killer Bread White Bread Done Right is a great choice for anyone who loves white bread but wants to include some whole grains and fiber," says Steph Magill, MS, RD, CD, FAND, Owner of Soccer Mom Nutrition.

Which Ezekiel bread is the healthiest? ›

Looking for a healthy bread choice, Ezekiel 4:9 bread is at the top of the list. There are many reasons for this: sprouted grain process, digestion, nutrition absorption, vitamins and minerals, and the organic makeup.

What is the best bread for inflammation? ›

Refined grains, such as the grains found in white bread and white pasta, are known to increase inflammation across the whole body. Sourdough bread and rye bread are both good options for an anti-inflammatory diet. The best sourdough and rye bread varieties to reduce gut inflammation are those made from whole grains.

What is the number one carb to avoid? ›

1. Sugary Foods. Most people already think of many of the foods in this category as unhealthy treats. Candy, soft drinks, and sweet desserts such as cake, chocolate, and ice cream are all expected entries on a list of carbs to avoid to lose weight.

Should I stop eating bread to lose belly fat? ›

Yes, you can eat bread while trying to lose weight.

There is no need to avoid it completely from your diet. Limit your intake of bread to 25 percent of your plate and enjoy it with vegetables to avoid overconsumption. The secret to losing weight is consuming fewer calories than you utilize during the day.

Are bagels healthy? ›

Bagels loaded with nuts and seeds on top may appear super healthy, but may have as much as 100 calories more calories and more fat. The good news is that the calories from bagels are nutritious and good for you (when you forgo the chocolate chips or sugary toppings), so you can make room for them in your diet.

Is Dave's Killer bread actually healthy? ›

Dave's Killer bread is made from whole grains, seeds, and organic ingredients which enhance the nutritional value of bread and supports heart health, bone health, and regulated blood sugar level.

Who should not eat Ezekiel bread? ›

Although Ezekiel bread is technically flourless, it is not a gluten-free product. Those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance shouldn't eat it.

Why is Ezekiel bread so popular? ›

This nutrient-dense bread is rich in fiber, plant-based protein, vitamins, and minerals. The sprouting process results in bread with a lower glycemic index, better digestibility, and increased nutrient absorption.

What is the healthiest bread than regular bread? ›

The Bottom Line. In general, you want to look for whole-grain bread that has some fiber, protein and not too much sodium or added sugar per slice. Sprouted grain bread hits all those marks and has a hearty texture that I think is delicious when toasted.

Is sourdough the healthiest bread? ›

All types of sourdough are relatively healthy, says Largeman-Roth, but the healthiest type of bread — sourdough or otherwise — is whole wheat or whole grain. Whole-grain bread is made with flour containing the entire wheat kernel.

What is better for you, whole wheat or rye bread? ›

High in iron, potassium, calcium, zinc and soluble fibre, rye bread is a dark, dense bread with a distinctive earthy taste. Rye bread is considered more nutritious than wheat bread. As well as being super filling, it also contains more fibre and B vitamins than wheat breads.

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