Complete Bread Guide
Comprehensive analysis of 200 bread products from 77 brands. Compare whole grain vs white bread, understand preservatives, learn about sourdough benefits, and find the healthiest options.
200
Products Analyzed
77
Brands
6.6
Avg Processing Score
7.0/10
Avg Nutrition Score
Bread by Processing Level
Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed
Level 1
Minimally Processed0
Simple ingredients: flour, water, salt, yeast. Artisan or sourdough style.
Processing Level: 2 out of 4 - Processed
Level 2
Processed40
Added honey, oils, or natural preservatives. Whole grain varieties.
Processing Level: 3 out of 4 - Highly Processed
Level 3
Highly Processed138
Multiple preservatives, dough conditioners, or added sugars.
Processing Level: 4 out of 4 - Ultra-Processed
Level 4
Ultra-Processed22
Highly processed with many additives, preservatives, and artificial ingredients.
Healthiest Bread Options
Top-rated bread products with minimal processing and high nutrition scores
Whole Wheat Pitettes
Toufayan Bakeries
Processing Level: 2 out of 4 - Processed
Level 2
ProcessedProcessing:5.0
Nutrition:10.0/10
Organic Sprouted Grain Bread
Giant Eagle
Processing Level: 2 out of 4 - Processed
Level 2
ProcessedProcessing:4.0
Nutrition:8.5/10
Bronze Honey Wheat
Stone Mill Bread
Processing Level: 2 out of 4 - Processed
Level 2
ProcessedProcessing:4.0
Nutrition:8.5/10
Cinna-wheat Raisin Organic Bread Loaves, Cinna-wheat
Alpine Valley
Processing Level: 2 out of 4 - Processed
Level 2
ProcessedProcessing:5.0
Nutrition:8.5/10
Sprouted Honey Wheat with Flaxseed Bread
Alpine Valley
Processing Level: 2 out of 4 - Processed
Level 2
ProcessedProcessing:5.0
Nutrition:8.5/10
Organic Bread, Sprouted Honey Oat
Giant Eagle
Processing Level: 2 out of 4 - Processed
Level 2
ProcessedProcessing:5.0
Nutrition:8.5/10
Pitettes Pita Bread
Toufayan Bakeries
Processing Level: 2 out of 4 - Processed
Level 2
ProcessedProcessing:5.0
Nutrition:8.5/10
Classic White Organic White Bread
O Organics
Processing Level: 2 out of 4 - Processed
Level 2
ProcessedProcessing:5.0
Nutrition:8.0/10
Organic Wheat Bread
O Organics
Processing Level: 2 out of 4 - Processed
Level 2
ProcessedProcessing:5.0
Nutrition:8.0/10
100% Whole Wheat Bread, 100% Whole Wheat
Open Nature
Processing Level: 2 out of 4 - Processed
Level 2
ProcessedProcessing:5.0
Nutrition:8.0/10
Multigrain Bread
Raley's
Processing Level: 2 out of 4 - Processed
Level 2
ProcessedProcessing:5.0
Nutrition:8.0/10
Whole Grain Sandwich Bread
Raley's
Processing Level: 2 out of 4 - Processed
Level 2
ProcessedProcessing:5.0
Nutrition:8.0/10
How to Choose Healthy Bread
✓What to Look For
- •Simple ingredients: Best bread has 4-6 ingredients - whole grain flour, water, salt, yeast
- •100% whole grain: Look for "100% whole wheat" or "100% whole grain" as first ingredient
- •Low processing score: Look for bread with processing scores under 3.0 (artisan bread typically scores 1.0-2.0)
- •Sourdough fermentation: Authentic sourdough with natural fermentation may improve digestibility and lower glycemic index
- •Minimal sugar: Bread should have less than 2g sugar per slice (whole grain naturally contains minimal sugar)
✗Red Flags to Avoid
- •Preservatives: Calcium propionate, sorbic acid, and other preservatives
- •Dough conditioners: DATEM, azodicarbonamide, and other chemical conditioners
- •Enriched wheat flour: Refined white flour with added nutrients (look for "whole" grain instead)
- •Added sugars: Sugar, honey, molasses, or HFCS to improve taste and browning
- •Hydrogenated oils: Trans fats from partially hydrogenated oils