If you're looking for the healthiest bread options you can buy at the store, then you've come to the right place. This list includes whole grain, gluten-free, and low-carb options so it has everything you need to find the best bread to fit your lifestyle.
Table of Contents
The Healthiest Breads to Buy at the Store
When it comes to eating a healthy diet, some bread choices are better than others. In fact, most bread options on the shelves of grocery stores are absolutely riddled with a bunch of unnecessary ingredients and fillers.
So, that's exactly why I decided to put this list together. I wanted to make it as easy as possible for you to know/find the healthiest bread options on the market no matter what kind of diet you follow. And so to accomplish that, I decided to select one bread for every category I could think of - gluten-free, low carb, whole-grain, oat, almond, Ezekiel, brown rice, rye and more!
So without further ado, let's get into the list!
1. Almond Flour Bread
Nutritional Info for 28g:
- 60 Calories
- 3g Fat
- 5g Carbs
- 0g Sugar
- 3g Fiber
- 7g Protein
Almonds are a nutrient-dense nut with plenty of healthy plant-based protein. And eating bread made with almond flour is a great way to enjoy all those benefits in a way that is easy to incorporate into any diet.
One of my favorite almond flour breads on the market is Dr. B's Low Carb Bread. It's made with almond flour, wheat gluten, and a mix of grains and seeds, and each slice has just 60 calories a slice. It's also great for people watching their carbs since it has just 2 net carbs a slice.
You can grab a loaf or two here.
By the way, almond flour bread is extremely easy to make at home. I have a really tasty almond flour white bread recipe on the blog that's worth giving a go!
2. Keto Bread
Nutritional Info for 1 slice (37g):
- 60 Calories
- 2.5g Fat
- 13g Carbs
- 0g Sugar
- 12g Fiber
- 6g Protein
When it comes to healthy weight management, cutting out unnecessary sugar, carbs, and calories has been proven to have positive effects. And eating keto bread is a great way to keep things low carb while still being able to enjoy the sandwiches - and meals - you always have.
While there are countless keto bread options you can buy, Hero Bread - shown above - is one of my favorite ones. I just love the taste and texture of it, and it also has the lowest net carb total too. Plus, they've got some tasty buns and tortillas.
Grab a few loaves here.
By the way, if you're in the mood to make keto bread from scratch my keto white bread recipe is top-notch!
3. Whole Grain Bread
Nutritional Info for 1 slice (26g):
- 60 Calories
- 0.5g Fat
- 11g Carbs
- <1g Sugar
- 2g Fiber
- 4g Protein
While whole wheat bread is mainly made with just whole wheat flour, whole grain bread usually contains a mix of different whole grain flour options in addition to the wheat. This means a more diverse profile of nutrients and amino acids in each slice.
On that note, Nature's Own 100% Whole Grain bread is a favorite healthy choice of mine. This whole grain bread is a hit with my whole family and it's readily available in most grocery stores. Also, it's made with mostly clean ingredients like flax and amaranth.
You can grab a loaf here.
4. Oat Bread
Nutritional Info for 1 piece (32g):
- 70 Calories
- 1g Fat
- 14g Carbs
- 2g Sugar
- 1g Fiber
- 2g Protein
Oat flour is a popular alternative to regular flour as it is gluten free and has lower cholesterol than regular flour. This makes it an ideal flour for baking bread and making other baked goods.
With that in mind, Eban's Bakehouse Oat Bread is made with a combination of brown rice flour, oat flour, tapioca, sorghum, and eggs. It's a gluten-free bread that tastes just like your favorite whole wheat bread and toasts just as well. I highly recommend it if you're avoiding gluten.
Grab a loaf here.
5. Sprouted Grain Bread
Nutritional Info for 1 slice (37g):
- 80 Calories
- 1.5g Fat
- 14g Carbs
- 1g Sugar
- 4g Fiber
- 5g Protein
Sprouting is a great way to make already nutritious grains even more beneficial.
The vitamins and minerals in sprouted grains make it easier for your body to absorb essential nutrients. It also reduces antinutrients and gas-producing compounds for smoother digestion and less bloating.
Sprouting can also subtly improve the taste of grains, resulting in sweeter tasting bread with a more complex flavor.
One of my favorite breads made with sprouted grain is the Little Big Bread by Silver Hills - it's the loaf of bread shown above. The company has a range of sprouted whole grain breads that are made with simple and clean ingredients, and they're all absolutely delicious.
Pick a loaf up here.
6. Ezekiel Bread
Nutritional Info for 1 slice (34g):
- 80 Calories
- 0.5g Fat
- 15g Carbs
- 0g Sugar
- 3g Fiber
- 5g Protein
Ezekiel bread is unique from other breads as it contains all nine essential amino acids your body needs, forming a complete protein entirely from plant-based sources.
It's made with a specific mix of sprouted whole grains and legumes like wheat, millet, barley, spelt, soybeans, and lentils.
It's also has no sugar, refined flour, or preservatives.
The best-tasting one I've found is the one from Food for Life. I've been eating it for almost 20 years now. It has a sweet nuttiness to it, and it's absolutely delicious with a little peanut butter spread on top of it.
You can grab a loaf here.
Oh, also, for what it's worth, I also mention it in my best breads for weight loss list. Give that list a look if you're looking for some tasty low calorie bread options.
7. Brown Rice Bread
Nutritional Info for 1 slice (43g):
- 100 Calories
- 2g Fat
- 18g Carbs
- 1g Sugar
- 1g Fiber
- 2g Protein
A good alternative for white bread lovers that still maintains the benefits of whole grain is brown rice bread.
It's a great gluten-free option that mimics the creamy color and billowiness of white bread, and it's made with added grains for extra nutrition. Not to mention, most brown rice bread recipes and store-bought options have no added sugars - so that's a plus too.
On that note, Food For Life's Brown Rice Bread is a super tasty option that's available in most stores. It's made primarily with brown rice flour, tapioca flour, and a handful of clean ingredients for a soft and springy loaf. Oh, and it toasts great too!
You can grab a loaf here.
8. Seeded Bread
Nutritional Info for 1 slice (45g):
- 110 Calories
- 1.5g Fat
- 22g Carbs
- 4g Sugar
- 5g Fiber
- 6g Protein
Adding seeds to bread not only gives it a deliciously crunchy and nutty flavor, but it also provides a boost of protein and other essential nutrients.
Dave's Killer Bread has an all-organic 21 Whole Grains and Seeds bread, which is made with a variety of grains and seeds for a nutrient-dense bread with a flavorful finish.
You can grab a loaf of his bread here.
9. Sourdough Bread
Nutritional Info for 1 slice (39g):
- 110 Calories
- 0g Fat
- 21g Carbs
- 0g Sugar
- 1g Fiber
- 4g Protein
Sourdough bread is made with wheat flour that's been naturally fermented.
It's a step up from regular wheat bread as it's easier for your body to digest, contains more bioavailable nutrients, and is more flavorful without added sugars.
My favorite healthy sourdough bread to buy is the one pictured above by Bread Alone. It's made with just 3 ingredients: flour, water, and salt, and it's absolutely delicious.
Grab a loaf of the sourdough here.
10. Whole Wheat Bread
Nutritional Info for 1 slice (43g):
- 110 Calories
- 2g Fat
- 21g Carbs
- 3g Sugar
- 3g Fiber
- 4g Protein
Compared to white bread that is made with refined grains, whole wheat bread uses the entire kernel to optimize the health benefits found in wheat. Whole wheat bread has more dietary fiber, more B vitamins and minerals, and is generally more filling than white bread too.
Store-bought whole wheat bread can still contain artificial additives and high fructose corn syrup, so it's best to double check the ingredients list.
One choice I recommend is Arnold 100% Whole Wheat. As the label says, it's made with "NO ADDED NONSENSE".
11. Potato Bread
Nutritional Info for 1 slice (43g):
- 110 Calories
- 1g Fat
- 20g Carbs
- 2g Sugar
- 1g Fiber
- 4g Protein
If you're a fan of white bread but are looking for something with more nutrition, potato bread is another healthy bread option.
It's similar to regular bread but made with potato flour. Some recipes even use mashed potatoes as a substitute for the wheat flour. This generally results in a bread that has more fiber, a naturally lower glycemic index, and less sugar overall compared to most other options out on the market.
As far as healthy potato bread options go, my favorite is the one by Naked Bread. It has a great flavor and sponginess to it, and it's also made with fewer ingredients than most potato breads are made with.
12. Multigrain Bread
Nutritional Info for 1 slice (38g):
- 110 Calories
- 1.5g Fat
- 19g Carbs
- 3g Sugar
- <1g Fiber
- 3g Protein
Multigrain bread is a great go-to if you want the reap benefits of whole grain bread but aren't quite ready to make the jump from white bread to something like sour dough, Ezekiel, or seeded bread.
Multigrain breads are made with white flour and a mix of whole and refined grains for a soft and sweet result that's more similar to sandwich bread.
Sara Lee's Artesano Bakery line features a Smooth Multigrain bread option that checks all the right boxes.
You can grab a loaf of the multigrain bread here.
13. Gluten-Free Bread
Nutritional Info for 2 slices (57g):
- 130 Calories
- 2g Fat
- 28g Carbs
- 2g Sugar
- 5g Fiber
- 2g Protein
People with gluten sensitivity can react negatively to the gluten naturally present in wheat-based bread, leading to issues like bloating, inflammation, and intestinal problems.
Luckily, there are nearly endless options for gluten-free bread these days, including breads primarily made with oats, rice, nuts, seeds, legumes, and more.
Having said that, if you're looking for a healthy gluten-free bread that tastes as close to "normal" white bread as possible, you can't go wrong with the Artisan Baker White Bread from Schär! It's got a great mouth feel to it, it toasts great, and it's super yummy too.
You can grab a loaf of Schär bread here.
14. Rye Bread
Nutritional Info for 1 slice (51g):
- 140 Calories
- 0.5g Fat
- 28g Carbs
- 0g Sugar
- 2g Fiber
- 5g Protein
Rye is a close relative of wheat, with a few notable differences.
This nutrient-dense grain is higher in protein than wheat, and it also has a complete essential amino acid profile. It generally contains more fiber, a more diverse range of vitamins, and a naturally lower glycemic index. Rye also contains less gluten than breads strictly made with wheat.
There are several different kinds of rye breads, but the most common ones are often mixed with wheat flour for taste and texture. Dimpflmeier Bakery offers a diverse range of well-crafted rye breads you can check out, including traditional, organic, and light rye options.
You can grab a loaf of the Dimpflmeier Rye bread here.
15. Pumpernickel Bread
Nutritional Info for 1 piece (72g):
- 150 Calories
- 1g Fat
- 32g Carbs
- 3g Sugar
- 9g Fiber
- 3g Protein
While pumpernickel and rye bread are both made of rye flour, pumpernickel uses whole grain rye flour and berries for more vitamins, minerals, and fiber per slice.
It also contains less wheat flour in proportion to rye flour, resulting in a denser bread with a uniquely sweet and tangy flavor.
Mestmacher makes traditional German-style pumpernickel bread that's bursting with natural fiber and made with a handful of simple ingredients. It's about as clean of a pumpernickel bread that you find.
You can grab some of the pumpernickel here.
Leave a Reply