Ezekiel Bread: What Is It and Is It Healthy?

With trendy low-carb diets giving refined grains and gluten a bad reputation, it's not surprising if you think you need to eliminate all grains from your diet for optimal health. But thankfully, that's not the case. Whole grains, like what you get in Food for Life's Ezekiel bread, deliver important nutrients, such as B vitamins and fiber, into your diet, as well as energy.

Food for Life sells whole-grain bread products that are healthy and super tasty—nothing like the bleached, squishy, white bread you may have grown up eating. Ezekiel bread is hearty and satisfying, thanks to a combination of plant-based protein and fiber. Plus, it's packed with flavor.

Learn more about what Ezekiel bread is made of, the nutrition of Ezekiel bread and where you can find it in stores.

What Is Ezekiel Bread?

Food for Life, the makers of Ezekiel Bread, makes a wide variety of whole-grain products. From pasta to English muffins, everything the company produces is free of preservatives and full of whole grains. The company even uses a slow-bake method for optimal nutrient retention (some vitamins are sensitive to high temperatures). The bread itself is made from sprouted grains, so it has a bit of a heartier texture than your typical whole-grain bread. It's sturdy—great for sandwiches—and also makes delicious toast.

Ezekiel Bread Ingredients

One reason we love Ezekiel bread is that the ingredients are very simple. Ezekiel bread only uses 100% whole grains and seeds, which is often not the case with other store-bought breads. There are a lot of wheat breads that are made with a blend of white and whole-wheat flour. This is why it's important to read the label and look for whole-grain flour as the first ingredient.

Another thing that's often found in many store-bought breads? Added sugars. But Ezekiel Bread doesn't have added sugar. Too good to be true? Here is the ingredient list for Ezekiel 4:9 Sprouted Whole Grain Bread:

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.

And with over 10 different breads, there is a wholesome option for every type of eater out there—including low-sodium and gluten-free varieties. We love starting our day with their cinnamon raisin variety topped with a healthy, fat-rich nut butter.

Ezekiel Bread Nutrition

Below, you will find the nutritional information for one slice of Ezekiel 4:9 Sprouted Whole Grain Bread:

• Calories: 80
• Fat: 0.5g
• Sat Fat: 0g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbs: 15g
• Fiber: 3g
• Sugar: 0g
• Protein: 5g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Sodium: 75mg
• Potassium: 81mg

With only 80 calories, 5 grams of protein and 3 g of fiber per slice, this bread has pretty impressive nutrition. The combo of fiber and protein helps keep you feeling full and satisfied for longer, as well as promoting healthy digestion and nutrient absorption. It's great on our Veggie & Hummus Sandwich and makes for a delicious PB&J snack you can feel good about feeding your kids (or yourself).

Ezekiel Bread Benefits

Aside from the benefits of eating 100% whole grains—such as improving heart health, lowering diabetes risk and reducing inflammation—Food for Life uses sprouted grains in most of their bread, which might add some additional nutrition to their products.

What are sprouted grains, you ask?

Sprouted grains are grains that have been allowed to start growing or sprouting, which makes them gentler on the gut. This is because, during sprouting, an enzyme process begins breaking down the grain. This, in turn, makes it easier to digest.

Additionally, the sprouting process might make some vitamins and minerals, like calcium, iron and vitamin C, more readily available for our bodies to use. Like all whole grains, sprouted grains deliver fiber. Fiber may help you maintain a healthy weight, reduce your risk of diabetes and heart disease and help keep your gut healthy.

Is Ezekiel Bread Gluten-Free?

Since gluten is a naturally occurring protein found in wheat, barley and rye, not all varieties of Ezekiel bread are gluten-free. However, Food for Life has 10 different gluten-free breads to choose from. They also sell gluten-free English muffins and tortillas, both of which can be trickier to find in gluten-free varieties.

Where to Buy Ezekiel Bread

From Trader Joe's to Whole Foods to your local grocery store, Ezekiel bread is pretty easy to find. If you can't find it in the bread aisle, you may want to check the freezer section, as some stores sell it frozen. And while you might not find all of their products stocked in every store, they are also sold online at their website.

The Bottom Line

Ezekiel bread is a sprouted grain bread that is loaded with nutrition. It's great as toast or as part of a sandwich. Sprouted grains can be easier to digest, so Ezekiel bread can be a good choice for sensitive guts. The maker of Ezekiel bread, Food for Life, also makes other sprouted-grain products, like pasta and cereals, as well as gluten-free varieties of many of their products. Ezekiel bread definitely deserves a spot in your nutrition line-up.