7 Healthiest Breads You Can Buy at the Store Right Now (2024)

This is a healthy pick for most people looking for wholesome, recognizable ingredients, as long as they’re not gluten sensitive. It contains a decent amount of protein and fiber, and is packed with flax, sunflower, and pumpkin seeds.

Nutrition info per slice: 60 cal, 3 g pro, 12 g carb, 3 g fiber, 3 g sugars (3 g added sugars), 1 g fat (0 g sat fat), 100 mg sodium

If you’re mildly gluten sensitive or have difficulty digesting regular whole-wheat bread, Ezekiel Sprouted Grain Bread might be a little easier on your stomach. The process of sprouting grains before they’re ground into flour seems to minimize the presence of phytic acid, which may make it a bit easier to absorb minerals like iron and calcium from your bread, says McDaniel.

Nutrition info per slice: 80 cal, 5 g pro, 15 g carb, 3 g fiber, 0 g sugars (0 g added sugars), 0.5 g fat (0 g sat fat), 75 mg sodium

Most conventionally sold rye bread is a bit of a nutritional dud, containing refined wheat flour and only around a gram of fiber, says McDaniel. However, if you can get your hands on a quality rye with “whole rye” near the top of the ingredient list, it may be worth it—rye contains resistant starch, a type of carb that acts like fiber, filling you up and helping you feel satisfied longer, says Largeman-Roth. Mestemacher’s Whole Rye Bread is made with only five basic ingredients: organic whole-kernel rye, water, organic rye flour, sea salt, and yeast.

Nutrition info per slice: 120 cal, 3 g pro, 26 g carb, 6 g fiber, 0 g sugars ( 0 g added sugars), 1 g fat (0 g sat fat), 320 mg sodium

Since many gluten-free breads are made from corn or rice starch, they tend to be low in fiber and protein. Instead, look for a loaf made with chickpea flour, oat flour, or gluten-free whole grains, like millet or quinoa. Happy Campers’ Gluten-Free Classy Slice packs whole-grain buckwheat, quinoa, and amaranth, plus some prebiotic fiber.

Nutrition info per slice: 171 cal, 4 g pro, 32 g carb, 5 g fiber, 0 g sugars ( 0 g added sugars), 4 g fat (0 g sat fat), 226 mg sodium

A blend of seven hearty grains such as wheat berries, barley, and millet, make this winner super hearty. Plus, they’re sprouted, giving your body a head start on nutrient absorption. And we love that it’s high in fiber and protein, but low in carbs, making it a great base for a morning meal that will boost energy and keep you feeling full.

Nutrition info per slice: 90 cal, 5 g pro, 18 g carb, 3 g fiber, 0 g sugars (0 g added sugars), 0.5 g fat (0 g sat fat), 75 mg sodium

For those watching their carb and calorie intake, but still want a white bread–like flavor and texture, Harris-Pincus loves this option. She says it tastes just like regular white bread, with a fraction of the calories and a ton of fiber.

Nutrition info per slice: 40 cal, 2 g pro, 13 g carb, 7 g fiber, 1 g sugars ( 0 g added sugars), 0.5 g fat (0 g sat fat), 125 mg sodium

This gluten-free bread is packed with texture, subtle sweetness, and wholesome ingredients all in one. Ingredients like eggs, golden flaxseed meal, raisins, arrowroot flour, cashew butter, almond butter, almond flour, and more make for a hearty bread without classic grains.

Nutrition info per slice: 90 cal, 3 g pro, 9 g carb, 3 g fiber, 2 g sugars ( 0 g added sugars), 5 g fat (1 g sat fat), 105 mg sodium

• Read the labels: If you’re looking for nutritious ingredients, the first ingredient should be “whole wheat flour,” says Jen McDaniel, R.D.N., founder of McDaniel Nutrition Therapy, and Frances Largeman-Roth, R.D.N., author of Eating In Color. They suggest avoiding ingredients like “wheat flour,” when looking for the healthiest sandwich breads which is simply another name for white flour. “For labels that say made with whole grains or multigrain, pay extra close attention to those ingredient lists,” notes Sassos. “They may have hidden refined flours, fillers and even added molasses or caramel color to make the loaves look darker and hearty.”
• Cap the sugar: Seeing high fructose corn syrup, honey, sugar, and other sweeteners at the top of the ingredients list is a red flag, McDaniel and Largeman-Roth say. Harris-Pincus adds to avoid fake sugars (like aspartame or sucralose) and look for non-artificial sweeteners like stevia or monk fruit; or dried fruit, like raisins. Eight grams of sugar should be the maximum you see when choosing a healthy bread, says Vanessa Rissetto, M.S., R.D., C.D.N.
• Look at the fiber: Seek breads that have at least two to three grams of fiber and three to five grams of protein per slice, McDaniel and Largeman-Roth say—it’s a great way to eat more fiber every day. Higher-fiber and high-protein breads can help you feel fuller longer by slowing digestion and easing sugar spikes.
• Eye your calories: If you’re looking for a low-calorie option, 30-50 calories per slice is a good sweet spot, says Harris-Pincus. But if you can fit more calories into your daily diet and are looking for more wholesome, hearty ingredients, Rissetto says 120 calories per slice is a good cap.

Unlike breads that use commercial yeast to rise, sourdough is naturally leavened through fermentation. This gives the bread a pleasant, tangy taste. But is it healthier than yeast-leavened bread?

“Sourdough bread has similar amounts of calories and fiber to white bread, but it is lower in sugar and also higher in protein,” says Sassos. “Sourdough is typically made with very minimal ingredients, just a combination of water and flour that create a sourdough starter, whereas other breads may have added fillers, oils, and more.”

If you enjoy the taste and aren’t worried about your calorie or fiber intake, it’s a less-processed alternative to white bread, though it may not pack in as many nutrients as whole grain or sprouted bread.

We reached out to a variety of registered dietitian nutritionists including Lauren Harris-Pincus, M.S., R.D.N., author of The Protein-Packed Breakfast Club, Stefani Sassos, M.S., R.D.N., Nutrition Lab Director at the Good Housekeeping Institute, Jen McDaniel, R.D.N., founder of McDaniel Nutrition Therapy, Frances Largeman-Roth, R.D.N., author of Eating In Color, and Vanessa Rissetto, M.S., R.D., C.D.N. and asked them what they looked for in a healthy bread and which brands and products they loved. We also tapped into the Prevention editorial team, including culinary pros in the Prevention Test Kitchen for additional picks and tasting notes.

The winning breads are a combination of editor and R.D.N. picks, and all fall within the nutritional guidelines (low sugar, high fiber, and/or whole grain) set by our experts.