Is Ezekiel bread actually the best bread for you? Our expert dietitian breaks down the nutrition facts and ingredient list to help you make an informed choice at the grocery store. Continue reading for Five health benefits of Ezekiel bread.
About Ezekiel Bread
Ezekiel breads are a line of breads made by Food for Life. They are made with numerous sprouted whole grains and are marketed as “flourless breads…with lots of natural nutrients”.
Ezekiel Bread Ingredients
| Ezekiel 4:9 Sprouted Whole Grain | Ezekiel 4:9 Sesame Sprouted Whole Grain | Ezekiel 4:9 Cinnamon Raisin Sprouted Whole Grain | Ezekiel 4:9 Flax Sprouted Whole Grain | Ezekiel 4:9 Low Sodium Sprouted Whole Grain | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ingredients | Organic Sprouted Wheat, Filtered Water, Organic Sprouted Barley, Organic Sprouted Millet, Organic Malted Barley, Organic Sprouted Lentils, Organic Sprouted Soybeans, Organic Sprouted Spelt, Yeast, Organic Wheat Gluten, Sea Salt. | Organic Sprouted Wheat, Filtered Water, Organic Sprouted Barley, Organic Sprouted Millet, Organic Malted Barley, Organic Sprouted Lentils, Organic Sprouted Soybeans, Organic Sprouted Spelt, Yeast, Organic Wheat Gluten, Sea Salt, Organic Sesame Seeds. | Organic Sprouted Wheat, Filtered Water, Organic Raisins, Organic Sprouted Barley, Organic Sprouted Millet, Organic Malted Barley, Organic Sprouted Lentils, Organic Sprouted Soybeans, Organic Sprouted Spelt, Yeast, Organic Wheat Gluten, Sea Salt, Organic Cinnamon. | Organic Sprouted Wheat, Filtered Water, Organic Sprouted Flax, Organic Sprouted Barley, Organic Sprouted Millet, Organic Malted Barley, Organic Sprouted Lentils, Organic Sprouted Soybeans, Organic Sprouted Spelt, Yeast, Organic Wheat Gluten, Sea Salt. Rolled in Organic Flax Seeds. | Organic Sprouted Wheat, Filtered Water, Organic Sprouted Barley, Organic Sprouted Millet, Organic Malted Barley, Organic Sprouted Lentils, Organic Sprouted Soybeans, Organic Sprouted Spelt, Yeast, Organic Wheat Gluten. |
The ingredients below represent the Ezekiel 4:9 Sprouted Whole Grain bread flavor. See the chart above for the ingredient list of all 4:9 breads.
Organic sprouted wheat, barley, millet, lentils, soybeans, spelt: these seeds are placed in water under specific temperature, atmospheric, and light conditions. The kernels absorb water and produce sprouts. They are then mashed and mixed into bread dough before baking.
Yeast: used to help baked goods rise.
Organic wheat gluten: a type of protein in wheat that adds elasticity and textural properties to bread.
Sea salt: a form of added sodium used for flavor.
Priority allergens
Ezekiel 4:9 bread contains wheat, soy, and sesame.
Ezekiel Bread Nutrition Facts
| Per 1 slice | Ezekiel 4:9 Sprouted Whole Grain | Ezekiel 4:9 Sesame Sprouted Whole Grain | Ezekiel 4:9 Cinnamon Raisin Sprouted Whole Grain | Ezekiel 4:9 Flax Sprouted Whole Grain | Ezekiel 4:9 Low Sodium Sprouted Whole Grain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | 80 | 80 | 80 | 80 | 80 |
| Fat (g) | 0.5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0.5 |
| Saturated fat (g) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sodium (mg) | 75 | 80 | 65 | 70 | 0 |
| Carbohydrates (g) | 15 | 15 | 18 | 14 | 15 |
| Fiber (g) | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Sugar (g) | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Protein (g) | 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 |
| Potassium (mg) | 81 | 83 | 120 | 77 | 82 |
| Iron (mg) | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Calcium (mg) | 9 | 10 | 13 | 16 | 9 |
The nutrition facts below represent the Ezekiel 4:9 Sprouted Whole Grain flavor, with ranges for other flavors in parentheses. See our Ezekiel bread Nutrition Facts Comparison chart above for details.
Calories: 80
Fat: 0.5g (0-1g), trace amounts found in whole grains.
Saturated fat: 0g
Sodium: 75mg (0-80mg), from added sea salt.
Carbohydrates: 15g (14-18g), from whole grains.
Fiber: 3g (2-3g), from whole grains.
Sugar: 0g (0-5g). Note: sugar is found in the cinnamon raisin flavor only.
Protein: 5g (4-5g), from whole grains and soybeans.
Other nutrients: potassium 81mg (82-120mg), iron 1mg (1-2mg), calcium 9mg (9-16mg).
5 Health Benefits of Ezekiel Bread
We gave Ezekiel bread a score of 100 out of 100, making it an excellent choice for regular consumption. Here are the top 5 health benefits of Ezekiel bread from my dietitian review:
- Contains sprouted grains: breads that use sprouted grains generally have a higher nutritional value than traditional wheat. Here’s why:
- The sprouting process increases the bioavailability of nutrients by introducing enzymes to split the nutrients into smaller, easier-to-absorb forms.
- Some sprouted grains are higher in mineral content compared to traditional grains. For example, sprouted millet is higher in calcium and iron than conventional millet.
- Sprouted grains tend to have a higher overall antioxidant content. However, this will depend largely on the type of grain used and the conditions used in the sprouting process.
- Source of fiber: Ezekiel bread contains 2-3g of fiber per slice, an important nutrient for healthy digestion and preventing chronic diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
- Contains minimally processed ingredients: Ezekiel bread is made with numerous seeds and is free from refined flour. It is also free from preservatives such as calcium propionate, which is found in most store-bought bread.
- Low in sodium: Ezekiel bread is lower in sodium than other breads on the market. It is also available in a sodium-free flavour, an excellent option for those on a low-sodium diet.
- Contains a moderate carbohydrate content: Ezekiel bread contains an average of 15g of carbohydrates per slice which is ideal for consumers seeking a moderate carbohydrate portion as part of a balanced meal.
Have you tried Ezekiel bread? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ezekiel bread gluten-free?
No, Ezekiel bread contains a variety of whole grains, including wheat and barley, and is not gluten-free.
Is Ezekiel bread high in fiber?
Ezekiel bread contains 2-3g of fiber per slice making it a good source of fiber.
Does Ezekiel bread contain sodium?
Food for Life Ezekiel bread is available in a sodium-free flavor which is great for people on a low-sodium diet. Check out 15 Low Sodium Bread Brands at the Grocery Store here for more options.
Are there preservatives in Ezekiel bread?
Ezekiel bread is free from preservatives, except sodium, which is why it is frozen.
Is Ezekiel bread worth the money?
Ezekiel bread stands out from other store-bought bread options because it is free from preservatives and refined wheat. In addition, there are nutritional benefits to consuming bread containing sprouted grains. However, there are other store-bought bread options that will provide the nutritional benefit of fiber and whole grains at a lower cost. Check out our list of 13 Best High Fiber Bread Options here.
Related Posts:
- High Protein Bread Options at the Grocery Store
- 13 Best High Fiber Bread Options
- 15 Low Sodium Bread Brands at the Grocery Store
Sources:
- Food for Life
- Nutritional and end-use perspectives of sprouted grains: A comprehensive review. Food Sci Nutr. 2021;9:4617–4628. DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.2408
- Feng, H., Nemzer, B., & DeVries, J. W. (Eds.). (2019). Sprouted grains : nutritional value, production and applications. Woodhead Publishing.
- Fibre, Health Canada (2019)
