Bread is a staple food in so many cultures that it would be difficult to imagine having breakfast without at least a slice or two.
In addition to the perennial eggs and toast, we often use bread continuously during the day for pastries, sandwiches, and burgers.
However, if you’ve heard of the trendy keto diet, you might wonder, “can you eat bread on keto”?
A single slice of bread contains about 15 grams of carbohydrates.
The goal of the keto diet is to reduce the number of carbohydrates and increase healthy fats so that your body will burn fats for energy instead of carbs.
The recommended maximum carbs are 50 grams for most keto diets, while some suggest even less.
A slice of bread will be a sizeable chunk of your daily allowance.
Carbs are made of sugar, fiber, and starch, so if your combined intake is close to 50 grams, a slice of bread could kick you out of ketosis.
In addition, you have to choose your bread carefully.
Nearly all bread on store shelves is made from grains or refined wheat flour, which are high in carbs and will throw you off your ketogenic goals.
The good news is that several alternative types of bread are made with low-carb ingredients like almond and coconut flour or seed flours like sunflower and pumpkin seed flour.
These types of bread come close to replicating the texture and taste of regular wheat bread at just a fraction of the carb content.
Plus, they make a great way to add some variety to your meals while staying safely within the boundaries of keto.
Is Keto Bread Considered Bread?
Keto bread refers to certain types of bread that are more friendly to those on the keto diet.
Keto-friendly bread offers a simple way to enjoy the many delicious recipes without sacrificing your dietary habits.
These special loaves are made with low-carb flours like almond meal, coconut flour, or flaxseed meal, so they stay below the daily allotted carb intake.
Eating a keto-friendly diet can be confusing, given the sheer variety of food options available.
Among the products that fit into this way of eating is keto-friendly bread, which stands out for its health benefits.
Keto-friendly bread contains high volumes of healthy fats, no cane sugars, and often has excellent protein content with few carbohydrates.
This type of bread has also been shown to increase gut health, provide increased satiety from fewer calories and support weight loss goals.
Eating a diet rich in healthier fats more closely resembles our ancestral diets and can help provide essential nutrients while keeping total carbohydrate intake to a minimum.
Whether you want to use it as toast with your breakfast, add it to a sandwich for lunch, or make keto-friendly garlic bread as part of a dinner side dish – there is something here for everyone.
The best part is that these are just as tasty and fulfilling as refined white bread and perfect for when you want something special to have at home or take on the go.
What Kind Of Bread Can You Eat On Keto?
If you are following the keto diet, you may wonder what kind of bread you can still enjoy since bread is typically high in carbs.
Luckily, there are lots of nutritious options that align with the principles of a keto lifestyle.
You can find low-carbohydrate loaves made from almond or coconut flour, protein, and seed-based varieties such as flaxseed or psyllium husk bread.
All these types can provide essential vitamins and minerals to keep you healthy.
Keto-friendly bread also allows for versatility in cooking, so you can experiment with different flavors and textures, making your daily meals as delicious as ever.
Avoid refined white bread, which contains little to no nutrition and comprises simple carbs that can quickly spike blood sugar levels.
Eating white bread can also lead to long-term health problems like obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease due to its lack of essential vitamins and minerals.
Eating whole-grain bread or other unrefined grains might be a better option if you’re looking for something with a lower glycemic index that won’t spike your blood sugar levels.
Can I Eat 1 Slice Of Bread On Keto?
It depends on what kind of bread you eat.
A typical slice of white bread contains about 15 grams of carbohydrates, a significant portion of the 50 grams maximum the keto diet allows.
Some more restrictive diets even suggest 25 to 30 grams of carbs.
By eating a slice of white bread, you will be severely limiting the carb intake of your other meals for the day.
However, if you are keeping your carb content low, you might be able to eat a slice of bread without kicking your body out of ketosis.
Also, you can opt for more keto-friendly bread like those made with almond or coconut flour.
Keto-friendly bread is an excellent alternative for low-carb dieters looking for something to replace regular bread without sacrificing flavor.
Depending on the recipe and ingredients used, keto-friendly bread can also come in various textures—from soft and fluffy to crunchy and firm—allowing you to make all kinds of creations that won’t add excess carbs to your diet.
From sandwiches to toast and crisp salads to hearty soups, this type of bread ensures you don’t need to skip out on your favorite dietary staples while still living a healthy lifestyle.
Does Keto Bread Have Sugar?
While many recipes for keto bread don’t call for sugar, some call for a sweetener like honey or maple syrup to enhance taste and texture.
Other alternatives include stevia or erythritol – both are zero-sugar options and natural sweeteners packed with antioxidants and minerals.
However, some store-bought versions of keto-friendly bread use processed sugars, so it’s always important to read the label before purchasing.
And if you’re making your own at home, research the type of sweetener you decide to use to ensure it fits within the parameters of your diet needs.
What Can I Eat Instead Of Bread?
If you are considering moving towards a low-carb diet like keto, consider swapping out your usual slice of toast for things like nut butter on apple slices, a hard-boiled egg with veggies, or roasted sweet potato rounds topped with hummus.
Not only are these tasty breakfast snacks far more nutritious than traditional fried eggs and toast, but they’ll also provide you with essential vitamins and minerals.
Most of the bread in stores today is refined white bread that has been a staple in the US for generations.
But many people don’t realize that this unique food item has severe health risks.
Refined white bread is made from processed grains like wheat, rice, and oats stripped of their bran, germ, and endosperm.
This leaves the bread with few nutrients and a high glycemic index (GI), meaning it causes blood sugar levels to spike quickly when eaten.
The lack of fiber in refined white bread also makes it harder for the body to digest properly, leading to bloating and stomach discomfort.
In addition, many brands of refined white bread contain added ingredients like preservatives, chemicals, and artificial sweeteners that are associated with an increased risk of cancer and other illnesses.
Studies have also linked refined white bread consumption with higher rates of obesity, diabetes, stroke, heart disease, cognitive decline in older adults, and even depression.
Given the research linking refined white bread consumption to various health issues, looking for alternatives when shopping for groceries or eating out at restaurants is essential.
The good news is that there are several nutritious and flavorful alternatives available!
These substitutes provide a delicious and nourishing alternative, from quinoa flour wraps to chia seed muffins.
Whether you’re gluten-free or just looking for an exciting new meal option, bread substitutes can deliver.
What Type Of Bread Is Lowest In Carbs?
Many people who reduce their carb intake choose low-carb bread for regular consumption.
One type of bread, in particular, that is lower in carbs than traditional options is sourdough.
The dough is made from a natural fermentation process that breaks down naturally-occurring starches and sugars found in the grains so that fewer net carbs are present.
Sourdough is also a good source of probiotics, proteins, and antioxidants, making it healthier than other types of bread.
In addition, whole wheat bread is often thought of as a low-carb alternative to other baked goods, but it’s important to remember that it still contains carbohydrates.
Despite its health benefits, most whole wheat bread is relatively high in carbohydrates and has the potential to raise your blood sugar levels if consumed in large quantities.
If you find them delicious and want to enjoy some without the consequences, opt for whole-grain varieties that contain fewer carbs or look for brands with sprouted grains that can reduce the number of net carbs in sure loaves.
Can You Eat Pizza On Keto?
Pizza is a prevalent dish, but unfortunately, it’s also one of the worst foods for those following a keto diet.
This is because it’s very high in carbohydrates due to the crust and all the delicious toppings.
Depending on the dough used and the toppings, each pizza could contain 250 to 350 grams of carbs, WAY more than the 50 maximum allowed by the keto diet.
For someone living a keto lifestyle, eating just one slice of pizza could use up their entire day’s allotment of carbs and leave nothing for other nutritious food items.
While pizza can be hard to resist, skipping out on all that cheesy goodness might be worth finding new low-carb alternatives for indulging critical cravings.
You might be able to make your own keto-friendly pizza and enjoy a healthier alternative that fits into your diet – think cauliflower crust or almond-flour-based crust.
After you’ve made the crust low-carb, you’ll need to get creative by using some delicious low-carb ingredients as your toppings.
Veggies like bell peppers, tomatoes, mushrooms, and onions can provide lots of flavor without adding to your carb count.
Additionally, lean proteins like grilled chicken or turkey pepperoni are sure to please anyone looking for an interesting topping choice that won’t blow their diet.
Finally, top it off with some fresh herbs for an extra flavor boost without adding calories or carbs.
Whether you’re looking for a healthier way to enjoy a cheese and tomato sauce pizza or something more sophisticated with grilled vegetables and protein, you can make a low-carb pizza loaded with delicious toppings that will satisfy any craving!
I’m Chris Watson & the Founder of EatForLonger.com. I’m a food and wellbeing enthusiast researching and sharing foodstuffs and simple food-based concepts, such as fasting and clean eating.
I hope it inspires you to make tiny changes to what you eat and when you eat while optimizing your healthspan and all-around well-being.
Read more About Me here.