Well, it’s time to have your real bread & butter (vegan butter of course)!
Since bread is a staple and such a convenient food for vegans, you might as well buy the healthiest you can, so that your body gets all the nourishment it deserves on a regular basis.
In this review, we show the best vegan bread brands and discuss bread quality, nutrition, taste, texture, and other related details.
If you ask a few tips to choose the best & healthiest vegan bread, that would be,
- No ingredients from animals
- 100% whole grain
- Good source of protein & iron
- Minimum of 2 grams of fiber per slice
- No artificial preservatives & ingredients
- Ideally 70 calories per standard slice
- No more than 4 grams of sugar per slice
- Minimum sodium (less than 200 milligrams per serving)
- Zero trans fat
But we feel below vegan bread brands have gone even further. Let’s see what they have to offer!
1) Ezekiel 4:9 Organic Sprouted Vegan Whole Grain Bread
This seems like a whole grain bread dedicated to vegans with no compromise on nourishment! So vegans rejoice!
Not only it has grains such as wheat, millet, barley, and spelt, but legumes such as soybeans and lentils too.
The beauty about this combination of sprouted grains and legumes is the complete protein it creates. Besides having all the 9 essential amino acids, you get 18 amino acids coming from all the plant sources in this bread.
Being a rich source of protein, iron, and calcium, you’re assured of vital nutrients as a vegan.
They also use a unique slow-bake process, which helps in preserving the natural fiber and bran benefits of grains.
Benefits of Sprouted Whole Grain Bread vs. Regular Whole Grain/Whole Wheat Bread
1) Phytic acid or phytates found in grains are known to be a mineral blocker or enzyme inhibitor. Sprouting breaks down enzyme inhibitors and minimizes the presence of phytic acid. This helps in bread digestion and increased absorption of minerals such as iron, calcium, magnesium, copper, and zinc [1]
2) Sprouting converts starches in grains into simple sugars aiding in digestion and nutrients such as proteins which take more energy to digest can become more digestible.
3) Sprouted grains are typically higher in soluble dietary fiber, total protein, vitamin C, vitamin B2, B5 & B6, total phenolic contents and their antioxidant capacities [2]
Product Details
- They use certified freshly sprouted organically grown grains which are verified by USDA authorized certifying agencies
- It is free of flour, hence you avoid all the cons of enriched, or refined flour such as increased risk of diabetes, constipation (lack of fiber), and a tendency to eat more (due to a lack of protein and fiber)
- Free of genetically modified organisms (GMO’s) and anything artificial (no preservatives or shortenings)
- Source of complete protein, zinc, vitamin B6, thiamine, riboflavin, folic acid, niacin, calcium, magnesium, iron, and phosphorus
- Excellent source of fiber which would keep you filled giving a great start to your day. According to The American Heart Association dietary fiber when combined with an overall healthy diet, may lower the risk of heart disease, stroke, obesity and type 2 diabetes [3].
- No cholesterol, saturated fat and trans fat
Nutrition
1 slice (34g):
- 80 calories
- 4g of protein (macronutrient)
- 15g of carbs (macronutrient)
- 3g of fiber
- 4% of iron
- 4% of vitamin B6
Taste Test
We tried it toasted. It had a very pleasing aroma while toasting. We liked the texture and straight away noticed that it’s quite solid compared to some flimsy whole wheat bread.
No falling apart after toasting and much easier to apply almond butter. It was crunchy, had a nice nutty flavor to it, and delicious keeping us fuller. Though the bread was refrigerated it still tasted fresh!
Do note that since it’s free of preservatives you may find Ezekiel loaves in the frozen food section. Make sure you thaw it before trying to separate the slices as the slices can be a bit brittle being frozen.
Product Life: | Frozen | (0°F) | 12 months |
Refrigerated | (45°F) | 2 weeks | |
Fresh | (75°F) | 5 days |
Ingredients
2) Dave’s Killer Bread Organic 21 Whole Grains and Seeds (Thin-Sliced & Vegan)
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Another best-selling bread brand for vegans with loads of healthy goodness and it really is a killer and ready to rock your world! Loaded with 21 grains & seeds and packed with protein, carbs, fiber, iron, and omega 3.
All of the nutrients, quality & hearty flavor of this bread come without adding extra weight gaining calories to you where each light & thin slice has only 60 calories.
Dave’s Killer Bread is USDA certified and Non-GMO Project Verified which mean all ingredients are free of pesticides, artificial fertilizers, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), ionizing radiation, and food additives.
Product Details
- USDA organic & Non-GMO Project Verified
- Simple ingredients with no artificial or chemical preservatives and ingredients
- Great nourishment with 21 whole grains & seeds
- No high fructose corn syrup
- No cholesterol, trans fat and saturated fat
Nutrition
1 slice (28g):
- 60 calories
- 3g of protein (macronutrient)
- 12g of carbs (macronutrient)
- 3g of fiber
- 12g of whole grains
- 130mg of omega 3
- 4% of iron
- 2% of vitamin B6
Taste Test
There was no issue for us to eat it plain, but we made toasts. We had it with peanut butter and it was crispy, rich in flavor and delicious. The dense consistency, grainy texture, the fiber & protein made us feel fuller which lasted for a long time compared to other common commercial bread.
What’s special is that all the hearty filling and boost come with minimum calories which help maintain weight. What a perfect bread to start your morning!
Storing
Dave’s Killer Bread can be stored at room temperature but can be kept up to 3 months longer if you store it in a freezer wrapped in a second bag. Prevent exposure to direct sunlight, heat, and moisture.
Ingredients
Best Gluten-Free Vegan Bread Brand
3) Bfree Gluten-Free, Vegan, Wheat-Free, Soy-Free, Egg-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Sandwich Bread
BFree soft white sandwich loaf is a product of Ireland and it’s free from gluten, wheat, soy, nuts, dairy, and eggs, making it suitable for vegans, celiacs or anyone with sensitivities to wheat, soy or nuts.
While being free from all major allergens, there is no compromise on taste, texture or nutrition being a good source of proteins, carbs, fiber, calcium and iron with no cholesterol, trans fat and saturated fat.
It is also a great choice for weight watchers since each slice comes with only 70 calories making it gluten free & guilt free!
Product Details
- Certified gluten-free (GFCO) which means wheat free, spelt-free, rye-free, and barley-free.
- It’s dairy-free, lactose-free, egg-free, nut-free, and soy-free making it free of major allergens
- All the ingredients are non-GMO
- Loaded with high fiber, protein, and high in antioxidant vitamin E
- It’s low fat, no added sugar and only 70 calories per slice!
- No cholesterol, trans fat and saturated fat
- Shelf life: 12 months
Nutrition
1 slice (30g):
- 70 calories
- 3g of protein (macronutrient)
- 13g of carbs (macronutrient)
- 3g of fiber
- 2% of calcium
- 2% of iron
Taste Test
Since our taste with regard to gluten-free bread was usually bland and tasteless, our expectations were pretty low on taste. But this brand was no disappointment. The texture was moist, soft and the taste was so real, quite delicious, and there was no cracking and crumbling.
No doubt, one of the best tasting vegan gluten-free bread brands!
Ingredients
References
1 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4325021/