The Best Gluten-Free Breads for Gluten-Sensitive Folks
Contrary to popular belief, gluten-free bread can be genuinely good.
Contrary to popular belief, gluten-free bread can be genuinely good.
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Gluten-free bread is a popular alternative to white bread for many reasons. Not only is gluten-free bread healthier, it is also better for people with dietary restrictions. People with celiac disease, gluten sensitivity, gluten ataxia, and wheat allergy may opt for gluten-free bread to prevent unpleasant symptoms (1).
If you’re following a gluten-free diet or want to try something new, we provided some insight on common ingredients and some brands we believe provide the best-quality bread.
Hone Health is a team of health-obsessed journalists, editors, fitness junkies, medical reviewers, and product testers. We’ve spoken to a registered dietitian nutritionist and reviewed well-respected medical pages to get additional insight on all things gluten-free bread.
Michelle Routhenstein, MS, RD, CDCES, CDN, is a registered dietitian nutritionist, certified diabetes educator, and preventive cardiology dietitian at Entirely Nourished.
So, what the heck is gluten-free bread made out of?
According to Routhenstein, the ingredients of gluten-free bread vary by brand. “Typically [gluten-free bread] contains gluten-free alternative flours such as rice flour, sorghum flour, chickpea flour, or potato flour, along with binders to give the bread structure, fats to give it moisture and flavor, and sweeteners or flavorings to make it palatable.”
When shopping for gluten-free bread, you’ll want to ensure that the loaf you choose meets your health needs or goals.
“Aim for one that is high in fiber (at least 3 grams per slice), low in added sugars (less than 2 grams of added sugar per slice), and saturated fat (less than 1 gram per slice). You also want to aim for a net carb of less than 15 grams per slice to avoid blood sugar spikes,” Routhenstein explains.
If you’re in ketosis, Base Culture has bread designed to meet your dietary needs. In addition to being gluten-free and keto-friendly, this loaf of bread is paleo-friendly, grain-, soy-, dairy-free, non-GMO, and Kosher. It contains seven nuts and seeds, giving it a nutty, sweet flavor. Each slice is 110 calories of nutrient-dense goodness.
Canyon Bakehouse is a popular brand in the gluten-free world. Its white bread is certified gluten-free and doesn’t contain any dairy products, nuts, and soy. At 80 calories per slice, this bread will barely make a dent in your daily calorie intake. Baked with whole grains, this loaf of bread is good for 7 to 10 days fresh out of the bag, or you can store it in the freezer for up to three months if you’d like.
Our expert recommends Simple Kneads. “I like Simple Kneads gluten-free bread because it is high in fiber, low in saturated fat, and is made with a combination of gluten-free whole grains such as quinoa, amaranth, and buckwheat,” Routhenstein says. This combo allows you to try four different gluten-free loaves of bread: Sourdough, Pumperkinickel, Swirly Cinnamon Raisins, and Quinoa Power Grains. That said, the brand’s sourdough is what it’s known for, and all breads are baked and shipped fresh, pre-sliced bread the same day, with free shipping to save you a few bucks.
If you’re not a fan of white bread or just want to switch things up, BFree’s brown seeded bread may satisfy your tastebuds. The bread slices are fairly long, so you can add as much spread as you like. Aside from being gluten-free, the bread loaf is soy-, egg-, nut-, and dairy-free, vegan-friendly, and non-GMO. The brand recommends toasting the bread for the best experience.
365 by Whole Foods strives to deliver products with natural and organic ingredients. The brand’s gluten-free white bread provides a decent amount of fiber to support gut health. While a slice of bread is on the higher end of calories (180 calories), many rave about the taste and quality of the bread. This loaf of bread is also vegetarian-friendly and dairy-free.
This multigrain bread from Udi’s can meet your gluten-free needs while satisfying your taste buds. The bread loaf has large slices and a soft texture that the brand says suits sandwiches, toast, or your favorite spread. At 140 calories, the bread is a good source of fiber, protein, and calcium. In addition to being gluten-free, this multigrain bread is free of soy, dairy, and nut ingredients and doesn’t contain any artificial dyes or flavors.
Choose from four flavors or a variety pack of bread loaves with Young Kobras’s gluten-free sourdough bread. The flavors available include Original, Fig, Olive Herb, Seeded Buckwheat, or a combination of the four. These pre-sliced bread loaves are baked to order and are shipped to your doorstep on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. This bread loaf is USDA organic, vegan, dairy-, soy-, sugar-, tree nut-, egg-, and gum-free.
If you’re looking for sweeter gluten-free bread, consider this loaf from the popular brand Schar. This honey-flavored loaf is made using a European recipe and baked with millet, sourdough, quinoa, and honey. For those with a wheat allergy, this loaf contains no wheat and is also free of lactose, eggs, and dairy products. The brand recommends keeping your loaf frozen to retain its quality.