The truth is, managing your diet can be tedious. Nobody enjoys looking at endless panels of nutritional information. Nobody wants to check every single brand on the shelf to work out which one contains the least carbohydrate. It’s no fun.
Let us do the work for you. Want to know which kind of bread is right for you? Here are 26 products, complete with nutritional information and a verdict.
Note: bread is generally very high in carbohydrate. Generally, we wouldn’t recommend it to people with diabetes. But most people like a little bit of bread. So, when you do partake, this article tells you which ones are a good idea. And, more importantly, which ones aren’t.
White breads
1. Hovis Soft White Medium Bread, 800g.
Each slice (40g) contains:
- 93 calories (5% of your calorie intake for the day)
- 0.7g of fat (1% of your fat intake for the day)
- 17.9g of carbohydrate (7% of your carbohydrate intake for the day)
- 1.4g of sugars (2% of your sugar intake for the day)
- 1g of fibre
- 3.5g of protein (7% of your protein intake for the day)
- 0.36g of salt (6% of your salt intake for the day)
2. Warburtons Toastie Sliced White Bread, 800g.
Each slice contains:
- 113 calories (6%)
- 0.9g of a fat (1%)
- 20.8g of carbohydrate (8%)
- 1g of sugar (1%)
- 1.2g of fibre
- 4.7g of protein (9%)
- 0.47g of salt (8%)
3. Hovis Soft White Thick Bread, 800g.
Each slice contains:
- 117 calories (6%)
- 0.8g of fat (1%)
- 22.3g of carbohydrate (9%)
- 1.7g of a sugar (2%)
- 1.2g of fibre
- 4.4g of protein (9%)
- 0.45g of salt (8%)
4. Warburtons Medium Sliced White Bread, 800g.
Each slice contains:
- 96 calories (5%)
- 0.8g of fat (1%)
- 17.7g of carbohydrates (7%)
- 0.9g of sugar (1%)
- 1g of fibre
- 4g of protein (8%)
- 0.4g of salt (7%)
5. Warburtons Farmhouse White Bread, 800g.
Each slice contains:
- 103 calories (5%)
- 1.1g of fat (2%)
- 18.5g of carbohydrate (7%)
- 0.7g of sugar (1%)
- 1.2g of fibre
- 4.2g of protein (8%)
- 0.43g of salt (7%)
6. Warburtons Toastie Sliced White Bread, 400g.
Each slice contains:
- 70 calories (4%)
- 0.5g of fat (1%)
- 13g of carbohydrates (5%)
- 0.6g of sugar (1%)
- 0.7g of fibre
- 3g of protein (6%)
- 0.29g of salt (5%)
7. Tesco Stay Fresh White Medium Bread, 800g.
Each slice contains:
- 94 calories (5%)
- 0.8g of fat (1%)
- 17.7g of carbohydrate (7%)
- 1.3g of sugar (1%)
- 1.1g of fibre
- 3.4g of protein (7%)
- 0.3g of salt (5%)
8. Kingsmill Soft White, 400g.
Each slice contains:
- 68 calories (3%)
- 0.5g of fat (1%)
- 13.3g of carbohydrate (5%)
- 1.1g of sugar (1%)
- 0.8g of fibre
- 2.3g of protein (5%)
- 0.3g of salt (5%)
9. Hovis Soft White Doorstep Bread, 800g.
Each slice contains:
- 156 calories (8%)
- 1.1g of fat (2%)
- 29.9g of carbohydrate (12%)
- 2.3g of sugar (3%)
- 1.6 of fibre
- 5.9g of protein (12%)
- 0.6g of salt (10%)
10. Kingsmill Soft White Medium, 800g.
Each slice contains:
- 94 calories (5%)
- 0.6g of fat (1%)
- 18.4g of carbohydrate (7%)
- 1.5g of sugar (2%)
- 1.1g of fibre
- 3.2g of protein (6%)
- 0.4g of salt (7%)
Verdict on white bread: Avoid white bread as often as you can. Because white bread is heavily refined, it’s rarely nutritious. All the fibre is removed in the refining process. Some of these breads contain ten per cent of your daily recommend carbohydrate allowance in one slice – and those recommendations are massively over-generous anyway.
Wholemeal bread
11. Hovis Wholemeal Medium Bread, 800g.
Each slice contains:
- 88 calories (4%)
- 0.7g of fat (1%)
- 15.1g of carbohydrate (6%)
- 1.6g of sugar (2%)
- 2.7g of fibre
- 4g of protein (8%)
- 0.36g of salt (6%)
12. Hovis Wholemeal Thick Bread, 800g.
Each slice contains:
- 111 calories (6%)
- 0.9g of fat (1%)
- 18.9g of carbohydrate (7%)
- 2.1g of sugar (2%)
- 3.4g of fibre
- 5g of protein (10%)
- 0.45g of salt (8%)
13. Warburtons Wholemeal Medium Bread, 800g.
Each slice contains:
- 103 calories
- 1.3g of fat (2%)
- 16.9g of carbohydrate (6%)
- 1.1g of sugar (1%)
- 2.9g of fibre
- 4.7g of protein (10%)
- 0.43g of salt (7%)
14. Allinson Wholemeal Bread Loaf, 800g.
Each slice contains:
- 110 calories
- 1.5g of fat (2%)
- 17.4g of carbohydrate (7%)
- 1.4g of sugar (2%)
- 3.3g of fibre
- 4.9g of protein (10%)
- 0.48g of salt (8%)
15. Hovis Original Wheatgerm Bread, 400g.
Each slice contains:
- 65 calories
- 0.6g of fat (1%)
- 11.2g of carbohydrate (4%)
- 0.9g of sugar (1%)
- 1.5g of fibre
- 2.9g of protein (6%)
- 0.28g of salt (5%)
16. Kingsmill Wholemeal Bread, 400g.
Each slice contains:
- 68 calories (3%)
- 0.8g of fat (1%)
- 11.4g of carbohydrates (4%)
- 1.3g of sugar (1%)
- 1.8g of fibre
- 3g of protein (6%)
- 0.28g of salt (5%)
17. Wheatfield Wholemeal Batch Bread, 800g.
Each slice contains:
- 112 calories
- 1.4g of fat (2%)
- 18.1g of carbohydrate (7%)
- 1.5 of sugar (2%)
- 3.5g of fibre
- 5.2g of protein (10%)
- 0.5g of salt (8%)
18. Kingsmill Tasty Wholemeal Medium Bread, 800g.
Each slice contains:
- 93 calories
- 1g of fat (5%)
- 15.6g of carbohydrate (6%)
- 1.7g of sugar (2%)
- 2.5g of fibre
- 4.1g of protein (8%)
- 0.4g of salt (7%)
19. Hovis Wholemeal Farmers Bread Loaf 800g.
Each slice contains:
- 101 calories
- 1.2g of fat (2%)
- 16.6g of carbohydrate (6%)
- 1.8g of sugar (2%)
- 3g of fibre
- 4.4g of protein (9%)
- 0.43g of salt (7%)
Verdict on wholemeal bread: Generally speaking, wholemeal breads are a better option than white breads. That’s because they have more fibre, which slows down the rise in blood sugar levels caused by carbohydrate. But wholemeal bread still isn’t a great idea – it’s full of carbohydrate. If you’re on a low-carb diet, ten slices of bread is about your daily allowance of carbohydrate.
Healthier breads
20. Hovis Nimble Wholemeal Sliced Loaf, 400g.
Each slice contains:
- 51 calories
- 0.6g of fat (1%)
- 8.1g of carbohydrate (3%)
- 0.5g of sugar (1%)
- 1.5g of fibre
- 2.7g of protein (5%)
- 0.2g of salt (3%)
21. Kingsmill Danish Bread
Each slice contains:
- 55 calories
- 0.5g of fat (1%)
- 10g of carbohydrates (4%)
- 0.7g of sugar (<1%)
- 0.7g of fibre
- 2.2g of protein (4%)
- 0.2g of salt (4%)
22. Weight Watchers Malted Danish Sliced Bread
Each slice contains:
- 51 calories
- 0.3g of fat (<1%)
- 9.2g of carbohydrate (4%)
- 0.5g of sugar (<1%)
- 0.9g of fibre
- 2.4g of protein (5%)
- 0.2g of salt (3%)
23. Warburtons Milk Roll Sliced White Bread, 400g.
Each slice contains:
- 47 calories
- 0.5g of fat (<1%)
- 8.3g of carbohydrate (3%)
- 0.7g of sugar (<1%)
- 0.4g of fibre
- 2g of protein (4%)
- 0.18g of salt (3%)
24. Weight Watchers Danish White Sliced Bread, 400g.
Each slice contains:
- 50 calories
- 0.3g of fat (<1%)
- 9.6g of carbohydrate (4%)
- 0.6g of sugar (<1%)
- 0.6g of fibre
- 2g of protein (4%)
- 0.2g of salt (3%)
25. Vogel’s Soya and Linseed Bread, 800g.
Each slice contains:
- 95 calories
- 2.1g of fat (3%)
- 14.3g of carbohydrate (6%)
- 1.6g of sugar (2%)
- 2.8g of fibre
- 4.9g of protein (10%)
- 0.21g of salt (3%)
26. Hovis Nimble Malted Wholegrain, 400g.
Each slice contains
- 52 calories
- 0.3g of fat (<1%)
- 9.2g of carbohydrate (4%)
- 0.6g of sugar (<1%)
- 1.5g of fibre
- 2.3g of protein (5%)
- 0.17g of salt (3%)
Verdict on healthier breads: Notice that the “healthier breads” are lower in fat and carbs, but they’re also lower in fibre and protein. They’re a good choice if you just fancy the taste of bread, but make sure you don’t base your diet around them.
If you’re struggling with your carbohydrate management, why not check out the Low Carb Program? Launched on World Diabetes Day, it’s a 10-week structured education programme that teaches everything you need to know to follow the low-carb diet. It’s simple, practical, and flexible – a low-carb diet that works for you.
Almond flour: a naturally low-carb alternative to wheat flour.
Why not have a go at making your own bread?
Most of the carbohydrate in bread comes from wheat flour. To make low-carb bread, make your own, and try out some low-carb flours, such as:
- Almond flour: a high-protein, low-carb alternative to wheat flour.
- Coconut flour.
At first, the texture of your bread might taste a bit funny once you’ve changed the flour. Tinker with the ingredients until you get it right. The trial and error is worth it. Once you’ve worked it out, you’ll have delicious low-carb bread – and you’ll learn a lot about baking along the way!
FAQs
Can food companies lie about nutrition facts? ›
Can you trust the information on a food label? Not entirely. The food labeling regulations from the FDA allow for a 20% margin of error. For anything that says there is a certain amount of carbs, calories, or sugars in it, there could be up to 20% more.
Why nutrition labels are inaccurate? ›According to the FDA, food products can contain as much as 20% more calories than what is printed on the label. For example, a Lean Cuisine shrimp and pasta dish stated a count of 250 calories; researchers found that it actually contained 319 calories, a difference of 28%.
Can you trust nutrition labels? ›Its measurements are accurate to within 5% to 10% for water-soluble vitamins (such as vitamin C) and 10% to 15% for fat-soluble vitamins (such as vitamin D). Some of these percentages may seem high, but they're all consistent with industry standards and the work of experts in the field.
What must be listed on the nutrition facts panel? ›The Nutrition Facts label must list total fat, saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, sodium, total carbohydrate, dietary fiber, total sugars, added sugars, protein, and certain vitamins and minerals.
Do food companies lie about ingredients? ›No matter what the fad is—low-carb, fat-free, organic or heart-healthy—manufacturers will try to lure you into buying their product. But while food manufacturers can't lie to you about the nutrition and ingredients of their products, they can easily mislead you into thinking something is healthier than it really is.
What nutrition facts should I avoid? ›- Trans-Fat. ...
- Partially Hydrogenated Oils. ...
- High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) ...
- Artificial Sweeteners such as Aspartame, Sucralose, and Saccharin. ...
- Sodium Benzoate and Potassium Benzoate. ...
- Sodium Nitrites and Sodium Nitrates. ...
- MSG (monosodium glutamate)
- Label says “Made with Whole Grains” Implies: 100% of grains used are whole. ...
- Label says “Multi-Grain” Implies: More healthful with whole grains. ...
- Label says “No Cholesterol” ...
- Label says “Natural” ...
- Label: Sugary junk food does not list sugar as the first ingredient.
- Natural claims. The word “natural” may lead you to believe that the animal was raised outdoors. ...
- Feed claims. Labels such as “fed no animal products” or “vegetable-fed,” often found on eggs, do not mean the hens lived a better life. ...
- Antibiotic claims. ...
- Hormone claims. ...
- Animal friendly claims.
- Fatty Meats. Fatty meats are one of the worst sources of saturated fats. ...
- Poultry Skin. While poultry is generally low in saturated fats, that's not true of the skin. ...
- Heavy Cream. ...
- Butter. ...
- Soft Cheese. ...
- Bacon. ...
- Potato Chips. ...
- Pork Sausage Links.
Manufacturers are often dishonest in the way they use these labels. They tend to use health claims that are misleading and in some cases downright false. Examples include many high-sugar breakfast cereals like whole-grain Cocoa Puffs. Despite what the label may imply, these products are not healthy.
Are labels helpful or harmful? ›
While there are positive effects to labels, there are also negative effects. Labels can shape expectations that are set for other people, creating stereotypes. These stereotypes can result in unrealistic expectations or expecting less from someone despite what they are capable of.
Do customers pay attention to nutrition labels? ›According to a new study, consumers' self-reported viewing of Nutrition Facts label components was higher than objectively measured viewing using an eye-tracking device. Researchers also determined that centrally located Nutrition Facts labels are viewed more frequently and for longer than those located peripherally.
Are nutrition information panels mandatory? ›All packaged food must have a nutrition panel in the Australian format covering: Energy (kilojoules or kilojoules and calories) Protein (grams) Fat, saturated fat (grams)
Are any vitamins FDA approved? ›Even though the FDA does not approve dietary supplements, there are roles for the agency in regulating them. Since companies can often introduce a dietary supplement to the market without notifying the FDA, the agency's role in regulating supplements primarily begins after the product enters the marketplace.
Are nutrition facts required by law? ›Businesses must also provide, upon request, the following written nutrition information for standard menu items: total calories; total fat; saturated fat; trans fat; cholesterol; sodium; total carbohydrates; sugars; fiber; and protein.
Can you legally have a secret ingredient? ›You can choose either to request trade secret status for a cosmetic ingredient from FDA or to apply for a patent from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
Can you sue a company for false nutrition facts? ›Anyone who has been harmed by false or misleading food labels has the right to take legal action against those responsible. That includes by pursuing a class action, which is a powerful alternative to an individual lawsuit.
Can you sue for mislabeled food? ›Food fraud and mislabeling are considered products liability and can result in class action lawsuits. If you suffered an injury due to food fraud or mislabeling, there are a few steps you can take to ensure you receive proper compensation. Always keep receipts and labels that are associated with the product.
What are the 7 foods to avoid? ›- Processed deli meats. ...
- Ramen noodles. ...
- Doughnuts. ...
- Movie theater popcorn. ...
- Raw oysters. ...
- Sugar-sweetened fruit juices. ...
- Reduced-fat peanut butter.
- The Label is Illegible or Portions of the Label are Illegible. ...
- Single Ingredients are not Listed by Common Name. ...
- Nutrition Fact Problems. ...
- Font too Hard to Read. ...
- Basic Legal Requirements.
What are the most common misleading nutrition food label marketing schemes? ›
- Serving Sizes. Let's start at the top of the Nutrition Facts! ...
- Low-fat or Fat-free. ...
- Made with sea salt. ...
- Lightly sweetened. ...
- Wheat or Multi-Grain. ...
- Natural. ...
- Made with real fruit. ...
- Gluten-free.
...
5 Reasons We Don't Need Federally Mandated GMO Labeling
- Uses the force of government to compel speech. ...
- Legitimizes bad science. ...
- Undermines a critical technology. ...
- Hurts agriculture. ...
- Creates a dangerous precedent. ...
- Creates a dangerous precedent.
By law, calorie counts have a 20% margin for error, meaning that if an item says “100 calories” on the label, legally it can have as few as 80 or as many as 120. More than that in either direction and they open themselves up for legal action. Can something be 0 calories while having sugar in the product?
Can you sue a company for not having nutrition facts? ›If an individual feels that they have suffered an injury or financial loss due to a food labeling violation, it may be possible for them to sue a food company.
Do they lie about calories? ›But nutritional labels can be up to 20% inaccurate, according to the FDA guidelines. That means, for example, that a serving of Greek yogurt labeled to contain 100 calories could actually weigh in at 80 to 120 calories.
Can you sue a company for lying about a product? ›Is False Advertising Against the Law? Yes, there are laws that forbid companies from misleading consumers with deceptive product labels or false advertisements. An attorney can help you determine the laws under which you can file a false advertising lawsuit in your state.
Are nutrition facts legally required? ›Businesses must also provide, upon request, the following written nutrition information for standard menu items: total calories; total fat; saturated fat; trans fat; cholesterol; sodium; total carbohydrates; sugars; fiber; and protein.