This vs. That: Bread

There’s a kind of love/hate relationship with bread these days.

Most of us love it, but we also fear it as the ultimate killer of all good intentions regarding health and fitness goals. 

While we don’t believe that food should be feared, we will say that not all bread is created equal. 

So next time you’re craving some toast with breakfast or a sandwich as a post-workout meal, know what bread to grab on your next run to the grocery store to ensure you’re not wrecking all your hard work. 

Here are our top five favorite bread options and five we suggest you avoid together. 

1. Dave’s Killer Bread Powerseed: What’s not to love here? It’s organic and packed with fiber and protein-dense ingredients, plus it’s just downright delicious any way you slice it. There isn’t a Dave’s Killer Bread that we don’t like. 
2. Ezekiel 4:9 Low Sodium Sprouted: Honestly, any Ezekiel bread is a good choice, but we love this one for its low sodium factor. In a world where sodium intake is at an all-time high, any opportunity to cut down on sodium should be taken. Plus, your fiber intake goes way up with the live sprouted grain. 
3. Milton’s Craft Bakery Whole Grain: Just one slice of Milton’s contains only 100 calories with no fat. So if weight loss is your current goal, then this is the bread for you. Add to the mix that it’s made from whole wheat, brown rice, and oats, and you are also getting a great taste and texture. 
4. Arnold’s 100% Whole Wheat: When reading any bread ingredient list, you should look for 'whole grain,' meaning that the grain is still intact and hasn't been processed and re-fortified. Why is that such a big deal? Well, whole grains have been found to reduce your risk for heart disease and diabetes and even assist in weight management and weight loss. So on that account, Arnold’s 100% Whole Wheat ranks as a great option. 
5. Silver Hills Sprouted Ancient Grain: Like the Ezekiel bread, Silver Hills contains sprouted ancient grains, which help make digestion easier. This bread is great because it’s made with a blend of sunflower, millet, flaxseed, and sesame seeds and contains only two grams of sugar.

1. King Hawaiin: Nothing made us unhappier than having to put King Hawaiin as the top bread to avoid. But that sweet, fluffy bread that we all know and love is that way because it’s packed with sugar with almost no fiber. It’s sugar bread.
2. Wonder: Ah, the childhood favorite. As tasty as Wonder bread might be, it’s heavily processed and contains practically no nutritional value. So while it may not be the worst on the shelf, better options are available. 
3. Udi’s: This is a case of, “Just because it is this, doesn’t mean it is that.” In the case of Udi’s, just because it is gluten-free doesn’t mean it’s the best option. Unfortunately, Udi’s bread is often packed with high amounts of fat with very little fiber. A few also contain canola oil, which we suggest you try and avoid where you can. 
4. Sara Lee: Another popular brand that is often highly processed, resulting in minimal nutritional offerings. Some Sara Lee bread is lower in sugar and fat than most, which often results in them being higher in preservatives. 
5. Nature’s Own (excluding their Whole Wheat options): The reason Nature’s Own is #5 on our list is that outside of their whole wheat offerings (which are great), their bread can be low in fiber but higher in sodium and preservatives. So if you’re going to grab a loaf of Nature’s Own, make sure it’s their 100% Whole Wheat option.