Here Are The Healthiest Types Of Bread You Can Buy

I love bread. And I’m sure you love bread too. While I’d like to think I’m pretty health conscious, I know there are small changes I can make to my daily food habits that will help me (finally) get closer to reaching the fitness goals.

There are a lot of marketing tricks that can confuse you into thinking the bread you’re buying is healthy. According to WebMD, many people assume that if bread is brown in color and has the word “wheat” on the label, it’s healthy. Not so fast.

“To be considered whole grain, the food must contain the three main parts of the kernel, including the bran, endosperm and germ,” Ali Campbell tells the Huffington Post.

“The first ingredient listed on the ingredient label tells the story. If it’s ‘wheat flour’ or ‘enriched bleached flour’ (or similar), that tells you white flour was mostly used, not ‘whole-wheat flour’,” the WebMD states.

Additionally, don’t be fooled by the words, “seven-grain” or “100% natural.” You need to look at the ingredients. Look for labels that state “100% whole grain” or “100% whole wheat.”

But why? Whole grains offer protein, healthy fiber, and are cholesterol free. Next time you’re at the store, try purchasing one of these breads.

Here’s Campbell’s label cheat sheet:

  • It should have at least 3 grams of fiber
  • It should have at least 4 grams of protein
  • 1 gram of sugar (or less)
  • 0 grams of saturated fat and 0 grams of trans fat
  • Less than 180mg of sodium (150 is ideal)
  • Less than 110 calories per slice

Here’s Some Good Bread Options

Country Harvest Stone Milled, 100% Whole Wheat

This bread meets all of the criteria above.

114
Fresh St. Market

Ezekiel 4:9 Sprouted Whole Grain Bread

This bread meets all of the criteria above.

635
Food for Life

The Baker 9-Grain Bread

This bread meets all of the criteria above.

918
The Baker

Milton’s Whole Grain Plus Bread

This bread meets all of the criteria above, with the exception of the sugar. It has 5 grams of sugar per serving.

867-1
Walmart

Sara Lee Hearty & Delicious 100% Whole Wheat

This bread meets all of the criteria above, with the exception of the sugar. It has 4 grams of sugar per serving.

219
Sara Lee

 

 

English Muffins

Thomas’ Whole Grain 100% Whole Wheat English Muffins

This English Muffin meets all of the criteria above, with the exception of the sodium and sugar. It has 220 mg of sodium and 1 gram of sugar per serving.

268
Thomas Breads

Oroweat Whole Grain & Flax English Muffins

This English Muffin meets all of the criteria above, with the exception of the sodium and sugar. It has 270 mg of sodium and 6 grams of sugar per serving.

978
Walmart

 

Pita Breads

 

Thomas’ Sahara 100% Whole Wheat Pita Pockets

This Pita bread meets all of the criteria above, with the exception of the calories, sodium and sugar. It has 140 calories, 310mg of sodium and 2 grams of sugar per serving.

953-1
Thomas Breads

 

Photo by Veganbaking.net

Food, Health

About the Author
C.M. Tenhundfeld
Animal Lover. Triathlete. Scuba Diver. Master Griller. Quirky Perfectionist. I believe talk is cheap, so I lead by example and let my work speak for itself. Naturally curly hair and a leftie – what else would you like to know?

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