The Best And Worst Bread Brands That Can Make Or Break Your Diet
Those who are trying to lose or maintain their weight may believe that they shouldn't eat any bread at all. While some people have no problem giving up the delicious carbohydrates, it doesn't need to be an all-or-nothing situation.
There are some bread brands that are surprisingly healthy -- but just as many others that should be avoided! Knowledge is power, and if you want to stay healthy while enjoying that carb-packed goodness, you'll want to know about these brands.
Best: Schmidt Old Tyme
One of the oldest bread brands that are still thriving today is Schmidt Old Tyme. After 135 years, they are still able to offer a selection of healthy varieties.
Their bread is low-carb, low-calorie, and high-fiber. Schmidt's Old Tyme wheat bread is able to keep a fresh taste while being cholesterol-free and low in fat. Bread was more nutritious in general back in the day, and it seems like Schmidt's has stayed true to their roots.
Worst: Stroehmann Dutch Country
The 100 percent whole-wheat name is a bit deceiving when it comes to Stroehmann Dutch Country bread. They have a bunch of cheap additives in their bread that make it overly processed.
Ingredients such as mono- and diglycerides and ethoxylated mono- and diglycerides are extremely toxic. They can cause clogged arteries and are a human carcinogen. This brand is proof that rustic, old-fashioned branding doesn't necessarily mean something is healthier.
Best: Sola
People who are on low-carb diets such as keto may want to give Sola bread a try. It's high in protein and low in sugar. In order for the bread to have a naturally sweet flavor, it's made using the brand's signature Sola sweetener, which contains stevia, allulose, erythritol, and monk fruit.
While some might balk at any sort of sweetener that isn't sugar (or even sugar itself), this sweetener is a cut above sucralose or other artificial additives.
Worst: Bimbo
While Bimbo bread products say they are made with whole grain, it's not even listed until the third ingredient. The top two are white flour and water.
The reason why Bimbo bread is unhealthy is because of the sugar content. The added sugar is actually higher in the whole grain versions because they want it to be as sweet as their white bread. It's especially interesting to see whole wheat bread with more sweeteners than white bread.
Best: Silver Hills
Those who want to try sprouted bread with tons of seeds and grains should consider getting Silver Hills. Sprouted bread is easier for the body to digest and is an excellent source of energy for the day.
Healthline states that sprouted grains can help with weight loss and can prevent chronic diseases. It's a simple way to add on some nutritious goodness to something that's generally just seen as a carbohydrate powerhouse.
Worst: Sun-Maid
While Sun-Maid is best-known for their boxes of raisins, they also make a cinnamon swirl raisin bread. If a bread tastes like a dessert, then that should be a sign that it's significantly unhealthy.
One slice of this bread has 100 calories, 1.5 grams of fat, 130 milligrams of sodium, 18 grams of carbs, and eight grams of sugar. There's nothing wrong with a treat from time to time, but no one should mistake this one for being healthy.
Best: Oroweat
One of the greatest things about Oroweat is that they strive to not include any additives such as high fructose corn syrup or partially hydrogenated oils to their bread.
Oroweat has a variety of healthy varieties that are both organic and non-GMO. Their original oatnut bread scored low on the Environmental Working Group (EWG) index, so it's not toxic for the body or environment. Even if the brand spells "wheat" weirdly, its bread is the real deal.
Worst: Sunbeam
There are many warning signs when it comes to Sunbeam bread, especially the Texas toast variety. It's extra thick and contains a bunch of harmful additives, including soybean oil and calcium peroxide.
There's also an ingredient called azodicarbonamide, which is also one of the materials used for making yoga mats. Azodicarbonamide can cause health risks such as asthma, allergies, and cancer. Bread should be simple, and these added chemicals are anything but simple.
Best: Nature's Own
Those who are looking for a lot of variety should feel fine eating Nature's Own bread. They don't use artificial colors, preservatives, flavors, or high-fructose corn syrup.
Nature's Own bread also has no trans fat, which is the worst type of fat. One of their healthiest options is the thick-sliced rye bread, which is low in fat and has no cholesterol. In general, it's a straightforward bread that you can feel good about eating.
Worst: Sara Lee
Even though Sara Lee makes a ton of light, heart-healthy, and whole wheat options, they still are one of the worst bread brands for your health.
Sara Lee is made with low-calorie fiber fillers such as wood-pulp-derived cellulose fiber and artificial sweeteners. These can damage gut health and throw off the brain's sugar calibration. It shouldn't come as much of a surprise, considering some of their varieties literally advertise how full of butter they are.
Best: Angelic Bakehouse
A sprouted bread brand that has proven health benefits is Angelic Bakehouse. Their seven-grain bread is low in sugar and high in protein and fiber.
Angelic Bakehouse is great for those with gastrointestinal issues because they are free of nuts, dairy, eggs, and high-fructose corn syrup. They also press their already-made bread into the dough to give it even more flavor. It's always good to have options that cater to people with allergic sensitivities.
Worst: Glutino
Those who are gluten-free are very limited in the kinds of foods they can eat and that is especially true for bread. Glutino prides itself on being a gluten-free bread, but there are some things to reconsider.
This bread is mostly made up of water, tapioca, and corn and potato starches, so there are little to no nutrients. For someone who can't have gluten, it isn't a bad option for taste — but it has no real health benefits.
Best: Base Culture
Those who don't want any gluten, grains, preservatives, or dairy in their bread should pick up some Base Culture. They make loaves for different diets such as one with pure paleo ingredients and a keto version with almond butter and flaxseed meal.
The bread has a sweet flavor due to the nuts, fruits, and seeds inside. Refreshingly, that sweetness just comes from these natural ingredients and not due to added sweeteners.
Worst: King's Hawaiian
If there's one bread that people should avoid at all costs, it's King's Hawaiian. Their buns are made up of nearly 50 different chemicals, additives, and preservatives.
The top ingredients include sugar, liquid sugar, honey, and invert syrup, which can lead to weight gain, diabetes, and other chronic health issues. King's Hawaiian can be downright delicious, but it's a terrible choice for anyone who's trying to make healthy choices in their life.
Best: Food For Life
Something that sets Food For Life apart from other bread brands is that instead of being displayed on the bread aisle, it's found in the freezer section.
There are no preservatives such as wheat starch and BHT, so it can last up to a year in the freezer. Some healthy options to try are their sprouted grain, whole-grain, and gluten-free bread. A quick nuke in the microwave and the frozen bread will be as good as fresh.
Worst: La Brea Bakery
If you're considering getting some bread for La Brea Bakery, then it's important to know its nutritional value. For example, one of their Telera rolls has 240 calories, 1.5 grams of fat, 470 milligrams of sodium, 47 grams of carbs, and three grams of sugar.
Those who need to keep an eye on their weight and blood pressure should avoid this bread brand. Lots of breads are full of bad stuff, but La Brea has an absurdly high amount of sodium.
Best: Arnold
Arnold has a ton of healthy bread varieties that range from their Carb Counting multi-grain bread, rye bread, and other organic and non-GMO options.
Their products are free of high-fructose corn syrup, partially hydrogenated oils, artificial preservatives and colors, potassium bromate, SSL/CSL, azodicarbonamide, and bleached flour. Most of their loaves are low in carbs as well. Bread is often seen as a carb delivery system, so it's good to have lower-carb varieties.
Best: Pepperidge Farm
While Pepperidge Farm isn't necessarily the healthiest bread brand at the grocery store, there are still several benefits. Their whole wheat, seven-grains, oatmeal, multigrain, and soft wheat bread are excellent sources of grains and fiber.
Having whole grains regularly can lower the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer. Pepperidge Farm cookies aren't great for your health (although they're definitely delicious), but the brand makes a surprisingly healthy variety of breads.
Worst: Brownberry
Brownberry may appear to be healthy due to writing things such as "Heart Healthy" and "No High Fructose Corn Syrup" on the label, but it's misleading.
One serving of Brownberry 100 percent whole-wheat bread contains 110 calories, two grams of fat, 160 milligrams of sodium, 21 grams of carbs, and three grams of sugar. No high fructose corn syrup is a good thing, but that's about the only healthy attribute this bread brand can claim.
Worst: Wonder Bread
Those who grew up during the 20th century will certainly remember the iconic look of the Wonder Bread bags. While this bread is surely nostalgic, it's also extremely unhealthy.
Since it's made up of simple carbs, the body digests it quickly and it messes with your blood sugar. This leads to extra cravings and more calories consumed. For many people, this is the quintessential bread brand — but it should probably be skipped in most cases.
Best: Udi's
People who cannot incorporate gluten into their diets may want to consider trying Udi's gluten-free bread. They have several different varieties including whole grain, seven seeds and grains, and ancient grain.
Their bread is made from tapioca starch, brown rice flour, and millet, so it's also a great bread for those trying to lose weight. Udi's tends to use more whole grains in their products than other manufacturers of gluten-free baked goods.
Worst: Martin's
One bread brand that is almost completely devoid of fiber is Martin's. Their potato bread contains refined grains, which have been stripped of their fiber content.
Since this bread lacks fiber, it will cause people to feel hungrier and consume more calories. One slice of Martin's potato bread has 90 calories, 1.5 grams of fat, 105 milligrams of sodium, 15 grams of carbs, and three grams of sugar.
Best: Alvarado Street Bakery
Sprouted whole grains are one of the healthiest bread options and Alvarado Street Bakery specializes in them. They offer a giant assortment with varieties such as sourdough, rye seed, and wheat Sonoma seeds.
Alvarado Street Bakery is great for those who need a low-glycemic option because it can help with weight loss, blood sugar, and cholesterol. For fans of sprouted breads, Alvarado Street Bakery leads the way in terms of varieties.
Worst: Burgen
While Burgen bread might appear healthy due to the soya and linseed, it's actually one of the worst on the market. It's packed with calories, fat, saturated fat, and sugar.
Just one slice of their Premium Soya and Linseed loaf has 287 calories, 11 grams of fat, 1.5 grams of saturated fat, and 4.2 grams of sugar. That means a sandwich made with this bread contains more than 500 calories before even adding any fillings.
Best: Happy Campers
People who have food sensitivities need to find the right things to consume. Happy Campers is a perfect option because it's certified gluten-free, organic, and non-GMO.
It's also free of added sugars and major allergens, and it's vegan. Their classy sliced bread is packed with whole-grain buckwheat, quinoa, and prebiotic fiber. This kind of fiber protects the immune system, and is good for the bones. You'll be a happy camper indeed with this brand.
Worst: Thomas'
A slice of Thomas' bread is almost like a dessert. With varieties such as cinnamon swirl and cinnamon raisin, the high sugar content is through the roof.
It also lacks a significant amount of the daily recommended fiber intake. One slice of their cinnamon raisin bread is 80 calories, has 1.5 grams of fat, 120 milligrams of sodium, 16 grams of carbs, and six grams of sugar. Have it as a treat, but not for your health.
Best: Dave's Killer Bread
One of the most popular bread brands that are actually good for you is Dave's Killer Bread. People love it not only for the taste, but because it also uses high-quality, organic, and non-GMO ingredients.
They have a wide assortment of products including Powerseed, Goodseed, and even thin-sliced options with fewer calories. Dave's Killer Bread has attracted a cult-like following in recent years, and with these ingredients, it's easy to see why.
Worst: Great Value
Great Value is the signature brand for Walmart and they make a ton of things, including bread. However, Walmart shoppers should steer clear of this bread.
A serving size of their white sandwich bread has 120 calories, 1.5 grams of fat, 0.5 grams of polyunsaturated fat, 220 milligrams of sodium, 24 grams of carbs, and three grams of sugar. This is effectively an off-brand version of Wonder Bread. The only advantage is that it's slightly cheaper.
Best: Canyon Bakehouse
While prepackaged bread may give people the idea that it's just a product from an assembly line, Canyon Bakehouse has a strong connection to homemade bread. The brand came to be when people were experimenting with recipes in their kitchens.
Their bread is gluten-free and is free of allergens such as nuts, soy, and dairy. It isn't always an easy brand to track down, but it's worth a try if you ever see it.
Worst: Mrs. Baird's
Mrs. Baird's prides itself on being one of the top bread brands to come from Texas, but it's not exactly the healthiest.
A serving of their sliced white sandwich bread has 110 calories, 1.5 grams of fat, 20 grams of carbs, one gram of sugar, and one gram of added sugars. Part of the issue stems from the thick-sliced nature of Texas toast or Texas bread, which just adds more calories to each slice.
Best: Ener-G
Ener-G's gluten-free keto offering might seem like a newcomer to the bread game (after all, products catering to keto and gluten-free diets are relatively modern), but Ener-G actually has lineage going all the way back to Seattle's first flourmill in 1887.
Most Ener-G products are low in sodium and sugar, and all of them are free of both gluten and nuts, making them an ideal choice for people with dietary issues and allergies.
Worst: Freihofer's
Freihofer's Premium Italian looks and tastes how Italian bread should: Thick, stretchy, and white. But this bread sits above most other varieties in one category, and that's sodium. Each slice contains 230 milligrams of sodium.
On the plus side, Freihofer's doesn't have too many additives, and is free of stuff like high-fructose corn syrup and artificial colors. But factoring in the high sodium content, along with preservatives, make this one a brand to consider avoiding.
Best: Panera Bread at Home
Most of us have probably been in a Panera before and sampled a few of their breads. Panera definitely knows a thing or two about bread, and this becomes clear if you try one of their take-home options, branded "Panera Bread at Home."
These breads tend to be made with quality ingredients like oats, bulgur, and cracked wheat. While some varieties are higher in sodium, the ingredients are generally natural in origin.
Worst: Home Pride Butter Top Wheat
Home Pride's Butter Top Wheat variety seems on first glance to be a good option, but delving into the nutritional information tells a different story. This brand is full of enriched flour, corn syrup, artificial additives, and preservatives.
There's also the fact that while one serving of the bread seems reasonable from a nutritional standpoint, that serving is just one piece of bread. If you eat a sandwich, you're doubling those 70 calories and 140 milligrams of sodium.
Best: The Essential Baking Company
The Essential Baking Company has kept true to its mission of sourcing quality ingredients from local sources, such as naturally-occurring yeast rather than lower-quality options. The brand offers conventional breads, along with gluten-free varieties.
Some of their gluten-free loaves incorporate bamboo fiber, an interesting addition that can help lower cholesterol and give a boost to general gut health. It also comes with the added bonus of being rich in vitamins and minerals.
Worst: Country Hearth
Looking at a loaf of this multigrain bread — covered in seeds and whole grains — one would think it was a healthy brand. But its first ingredient — enriched flour — goes against this narrative.
Country Hearth also includes an impressive amount of sugar, coming from four different sources: Brown sugar, molasses, raisin juice, and honey. While these are all natural sweeteners, it seems like an unnecessary amount to add to any loaf of bread.
Best: Mestemacher Bread
Mestemacher produces a rye bread that's a definite cut above other loaves in this category. Unlike regular rye bread, which is chock full of refined flour and low in fiber, Mestemacher uses whole rye — a carb that acts like fiber and helps keep you full.
It's worth noting that, in contrast to some of the other breads seen on this list, Mestemacher rye has a refreshingly simple ingredient list, consisting of just five items.
Worst: The Rustik Oven
We've already gone over Bimbo bread, and The Rustik Oven is a subsidiary of Bimbo Bakeries — one that positions itself as being healthier, or at least heartier, than the company's mainstream offerings.
While this is comparatively more healthy than other Bimbo products, it's still full of calories, at a whopping 170 per slice. Each slice also contains 280 milligrams of sodium, which is bad news for anyone on a low-salt diet.
Best: Bread Alone
While homemade sourdough was a trend for awhile, the effort involved is a turn-off for many people. If you want a store-bought sourdough that's good for you, try Bread Alone's whole wheat sourdough.
The fermentation that makes sourdough what it is makes it easy to digest, and the fact that this sourdough is of the whole wheat variety just makes it a healthier product in general.
Worst: Open Nature
Open Nature has a few things going for it, such as containing no dyes and being made from largely natural ingredients. It also uses expeller-pressed canola oil, which is a cut above other oils in terms of health benefits.
Unfortunately, Open Nature has a few things going against it, most notably an unnecessary amount of added sugars and just one gram of fiber per slice. Despite its hearty appearance, it doesn't have much nutritional value.
Best: Equii
For those who want a bread that's as good post-workout as it is in a conventional sandwich, Equii's classic wheat is a must-try. Each slice contains an impressive 10 grams of protein, meaning a sandwich has as much or more protein than a typical protein bar.
Unlike other protein-packed products, Equii doesn't have a particularly dry, crumbly, or chalky texture. Even though it's good for keto enthusiasts, it still looks and tastes like bread.
Worst: Food Club
With a name as generic as "Food Club," it's hard to have high expectations for this store brand. Food Club makes a number of "healthier" multigrain loaves, but they're still full of the same cheap additives — like unbleached flour and sugar — as other store brands.
The list of negatives just goes on and on, as Food Club's breads are high in sodium, low in fiber, and full of preservatives.