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    The 7 Best Gluten-Free Breads (According to a Dietitian)

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    If you were recently diagnosed with celiac disease, wheat allergy or intolerance, then you are probably wondering what the best gluten-free breads are.

    This article goes into detail about the best gluten-free breads based on budget, nutrition, ratings and more. 

    As a dietitian, I’ve worked with celiac and gluten-free patients in the past and know how hard it is to find alternatives that actually taste good. 

    These gluten-free breads all have great reviews and provide the proper nutrition you need to avoid deficiencies when switching to a gluten-free diet.

    best gluten free breads

    Is gluten-free bread better for you than regular bread?

    It really depends on the kind of gluten-free bread and the kind of regular bread. It’s important to note that gluten itself isn’t harmful unless you have celiac disease. If you have digestive discomfort after consuming wheat products, read the next section.

    The purpose of consuming grain products like bread is to get enough carbohydrates, fiber, B vitamins and minerals to prevent deficiencies and promote general health.

    If you must consume gluten-free products, be sure to choose products that contain all of these nutrients. Remember, if you cut out any food group, you are at risk for nutrient deficiencies, so make sure you aren’t missing out on essential nutrients!

    best gluten free breads

    Who needs to eat gluten-free bread?

    Gluten-free bread is the better option if you have celiac disease or a wheat allergy or intolerance. If you don’t fall into any of these categories, then there is no reason you should avoid gluten. 

    If you notice any digestive problems after consuming wheat products or gluten-containing foods, speak to your doctor and they can test you for celiac disease. If the result comes back negative, I recommend being referred to a dietitian to see if it could be an intolerance.

    There is a group of carbohydrates in wheat products called “fructans” that can sometimes cause gastrointestinal discomfort, especially when consumed in large quantities. 

    It’s possible you are intolerant to this carbohydrate, and if this is the case, it’s probably best to avoid wheat and opt for gluten-free products.

    best gluten free breads

    Things to consider when choosing gluten-free bread

    When choosing a gluten-free bread, be sure to consider cost, nutrition and taste. You want to be sure the product you are purchasing is in your price range, has the appropriate nutrients to help prevent deficiencies and tastes good.

    That being said, gluten-free bread will almost always be more expensive than regular bread, which ranges from $1-4 per loaf. So if you are on a tight budget, it may be best to stick to gluten-free grains like rice, quinoa, oats and popcorn.

    Also, it’s difficult to find gluten-free bread that provides all the nutrition that regular bread provides. Especially since gluten-free bread isn’t fortified with B vitamins and minerals like regular bread typically is.

    Nutritionally, I recommend at least choosing a bread that contains fiber and iron. These are going to be the two more important nutrients to look out for.

    Finally, if you are eating a gluten-free diet, I recommend trying out a few different gluten-free breads to see which one tastes the best to you. We all have different preferences, and even if a gluten-free bread has great ratings, it doesn’t mean you’ll like it. 

    best gluten free breads

    The 7 Best Gluten Free Breads

    Best Budget: 365 by Whole Foods Market, Bread Multigrain Gluten-Free

    • Cost: $4.99 ($0.25/oz)
    • Amazon Rating: 4.3 out of 5
    • Dietitian’s Review: I love this gluten-free bread because it’s significantly cheaper than the other bread options, plus it has a good amount of fiber (about 4 grams per 2 slices). Whole Foods has a notoriously good store brand and this bread is no exception! Overall, the reviews are overwhelmingly positive, even comparing it to regular gluten-full bread.

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    Best White Bread: Schar, Artisan Baker White Bread, Certified Gluten Free

    • Cost: $17.66 for a 2-pack ($0.63/oz)
    • Amazon Rating: 4.3 out of 5
    • Dietitian’s Review: This is a great option if you are looking for a replacement for a typical slice of white bread. Personally, Schar has consistently been my favorite gluten-free bread brand when it comes to taste. Even though it’s white bread, it still contains 5 grams of fiber per 2 slices of bread, which is great. The brand also supports the Celiac Disease Foundation, which is amazing.

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    Best Rated: Canyon Bakehouse 7 Grain San Juan Bread, Gluten-Free

    • Cost: $7.99 ($0.44/oz)
    • Amazon Rating: 4.6 out of 5
    • Dietitian’s Review: This gluten-free bread has incredible ratings, higher than any other gluten-free bread I could find. It only contains 2 grams of fiber per 2 slices, which isn’t amazing, but honestly not too bad. Many reviews claim this is the best gluten-free bread they have tried. But, they are rather small pieces, so that is something to consider.

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    Best High Fiber: Udi’s Gluten Free Delicious Soft Sandwich Bread, Ancient Grain Omega

    • Cost: $4.99 ($0.35/oz)
    • Amazon Rating: 4.4 out of 5
    • Dietitian’s Review: Udi’s is one of the first companies I saw making gluten-free bread back in the day (about 10 years ago). Since they have been in the business for a long time, they’ve also had a long time to perfect the gluten-free slice. One thing I really love about this bread is that it is high in fiber, about 6 grams per 2 slices. Since switching to a gluten-free lifestyle can lead to lower fiber intake, this bread is a great option.

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    Best Bread Mix: Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Homemade Wonderful Bread Mix

    • Cost: $24.36 for 19 servings ($0.38/oz)
    • Amazon Rating: 4.4 out of 5
    • Dietitian’s Review: Let’s be honest, freshly baked bread is 100 times better than store bought bread. And this is true for gluten-free breads as well. Bob’s Red Mill is known for their amazing baking products, and this is no exception. The ratings for this product are great as well.

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    Best Grain-Free Bread Mix: Simple Mills Almond Flour Baking Mix, Gluten Free

    • Cost: $7.24 for 12 servings ($0.70/oz)
    • Amazon Rating: 4.5 out of 5
    • Dietitian’s Review: Simple Mills does a great job keeping their ingredient lists as simple as possible. While simple doesn’t necessarily equal healthier, this grain free bread mix is a great option if you are looking for a delicious and nutritious gluten-free bread. The main ingredients in this bread are almond flour and arrowroot.

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    Best Tortilla: Mission Gluten Free Spinach Herb Tortilla Wraps

    • Cost: $4.49 for 6 tortillas ($0.43/oz)
    • Amazon Rating: 4.6 out of 5
    • Dietitian’s Review: Mission is known for their tortillas, which is probably why they did such a great job perfecting the gluten-free tortilla! One tortilla has 6 grams of protein, which is amazing. This product is great if you want to switch it up and go for a wrap instead of a sandwich. There are some concerns about hydrogenated oil in this product, but as a dietitian I would like to say that this is not something to stress over. Partially hydrogenated oils are what to worry about and they are banned in the US. 

    (affiliate link)

    best gluten free breads

    How to make gluten-free bread taste better

    Growing up, my brother was gluten-free, so I have seen every trick in the book to make gluten-free eating more enjoyable.

    The first (and most important) tip is to always toast your bread. It’s so much better toasted and really helps reduce the grainy and dry texture.

    Next, really dress up your sandwiches. Add condiments like mayonnaise, ketchup and mustard. This will help reduce the dryness of the bread. Also adding some fresh vegetables like lettuce and tomato or melting some cheese on top can help.

    Is Ezekial bread gluten-free? 

    Ezekiel bread is flour-free but it is not gluten-free. It contains a mix of wheat, barely, millet, lentils, soybeans and spelt. 

    Wheat, barley and spelt all contain gluten. Remember, gluten is a protein found in wheat products. It can also be found in rye and farro, along with several other grains

    If you are eating a gluten-free diet, always check labels to see if the ingredient list contains a gluten-containing food. Many gluten-free products have a gluten-free label on them as well.

    best gluten free breads

    Is sourdough bread ok for gluten intolerance? 

    Sourdough bread should not be consumed if you have celiac disease or a wheat allergy. But, if you have an intolerance, sourdough may be tolerated.

    As mentioned earlier, your intolerance to gluten-containing products is likely an intolerance to fructans, a class of carbohydrates, as opposed to gluten.

    If you think you have a fructan intolerance, consider working with a dietitian. They can help step you through an elimination diet if necessary to see what your triggers are.

    Luckily, sourdough is rather low in fructans compared to regular bread. Whole wheat and white sourdough should be tolerated well if you are sensitive to fructans. 

    Does toasting bread reduce gluten?

    Gluten cannot be destroyed by toasting bread unfortunately. Remember, gluten is a protein found in wheat products, it’s not a bacteria that can be killed with heat.

    Instead, if you have celiac or are avoiding gluten for other reasons, it’s best to avoid gluten altogether by choosing gluten-free products. 

    best gluten free breads

    I think I have celiac disease or a gluten intolerance, what should I do?

    If you are having digestive issues after consuming gluten-containing foods, it’s best to work with your doctor to see if you have celiac disease or an intolerance.

    There are several tests your doctor will conduct to see if you have celiac disease, including blood tests and an intestinal biopsy. 

    If these come back negative, then I recommend getting referred to a dietitian to conduct a food journal analysis and an elimination diet is necessary. It’s possible you are intolerant to a group of carbohydrates found in wheat products called “fructans”.

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    ABOUT ME

    tia glover rd

    My name is Tia and I am a registered dietitian and content creator.

    My goal is to help young people learn how to eat a nutritious, balanced diet without restriction or giving up cultural foods. 💛

    Hapa/Japanese American 🇺🇸🇯🇵

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