The Best Bread For Gut Health, According to a Gastroenterologist (2023)

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The Best Bread For Gut Health, According to a Gastroenterologist? ›

"Let's talk about my favorite bread for digestion and gut health: Sourdough bread. Sourdough is incredible because these microbes are transforming the flour," Dr. Bulsiewicz explains in the Instagram Reel, referring to the way the wild yeasts react with the flour and water in the sourdough starter.

Sourdough. You can't go wrong with sourdough, especially when you're sticking to a gut-healthy diet. When it comes to all-natural foods that support gut health, nearly all fermented foods are excellent. During the process of fermentation, good-for-you bacteria known as probiotics are formed.

Prebiotic foods (whole grains, bananas, greens, onions, garlic, soybeans, and artichokes) act as food for healthy gut bacteria. Probiotic foods like yogurt are full of good bacteria already.

Improved Digestive Health

Sourdough bread may be easier to digest than white bread for some people. According to some studies, sourdough bread acts as a prebiotic, which means that the fiber in the bread helps feed the “good” bacteria in your intestines.

The Hidden Benefits of Sourdough Bread

Similar to other fermented foods such as sauerkraut , kefir and pickles, sourdough bread is fermented by using lactobacillus cultures, which are gut-healthy probiotics .

If you're a fan of whole grains and wonder which you should choose to include as a part of an anti-inflammatory diet, there's no wrong choice! Oatmeal, brown rice, whole grain wheat bread, barley, buckwheat, bulgur and millet are all exceptional options.

Whole-grain bread, Ezekiel bread, and rye bread are among the most healthful options. Bread made from whole or sprouted grains contains essential nutrients, including protein, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Others, such as processed white bread, contain very few nutrients.

Bimbo, Soft White Bread

"This bread is relatively high in sodium and higher in calories than a single slice of most breads. It also contains almost a tsp of sugar. This would be the worst choice."

One is to increase the diversity of the microflora, which are now often referred to as probiotics, living in your gut. Probiotics are found in a wide range of fermented foods. These include yogurt, kefir, kombucha, pickles, sauerkraut, tempeh, kimchi, miso and many aged cheeses.

What naturally kills bad bacteria in the gut? ›

An anti-inflammatory diet, regular exercise, good quality sleep, and probiotics are all strategies to put in place before trying antimicrobials or antibiotics to get rid of bad bacteria.

"Let's talk about my favorite bread for digestion and gut health: Sourdough bread. Sourdough is incredible because these microbes are transforming the flour," Dr. Bulsiewicz explains in the Instagram Reel, referring to the way the wild yeasts react with the flour and water in the sourdough starter.

“Whole grain wheat contains compounds called arabinoxylans that research suggests drives the production of the short chain fatty acid butyrate in the gut microbiome, which is associated with numerous health benefits, including calming inflammation,” Nielsen says.

It's nutritious.

Sourdough contains a variety of vitamins and nutrients, making it super beneficial to your day-to-day health.

Why it's good for you: Cheese lovers, rejoice: cottage cheese is a great pick for your gut. As with other fermented foods, cottage cheese often delivers probiotics (check the package labels for live and active cultures), and it's high in calcium, which is important for strong bones.

According to Delbridge, the most nutritionally superior bread is 100% whole-wheat bread or 100% whole-grain bread, which means all of the bread is made from the entire wheat grain (or other grains) and delivers fiber, B vitamins and vitamin E.

The most common fermented foods that naturally contain probiotics, or have probiotics added to them, include yogurt, kefir, kombucha, sauerkraut, pickles, miso, tempeh, kimchi, sourdough bread and some cheeses.

Whole grains:Oatmeal, brown rice, whole-wheat bread, and other unrefined grains tend to be high in fiber, and fiber also may help with inflammation.

1. Omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids , which are abundant in fatty fish such as salmon or tuna, are among the most potent anti-inflammatory supplements. These supplements may help fight several types of inflammation, including vascular inflammation.

What can I use instead of bread for sandwiches? ›

An average person can consume up to 8 slices of white bread per day. Make sure though to balance that consumption with other carbohydrates sources. For example, you may replace 3 slices of bread with 1 large potato or have 1 medium potato and 1 slice of bread.

Morning carbs are better than late-day carbs.

If you're going to eat sweets or simple carbs like bread, pasta and pastries, it's better to do so in the morning or early afternoon, when we are most insulin-sensitive, rather than at night, Garaulet said.

Cooked sweet potato slices make an excellent and tasty substitute for bread buns, especially with burgers. They may also be used in a variety of recipes for grain-free breads and flatbreads. Other vegetables, like eggplants, bell peppers, cucumbers and mushrooms, also make great bread substitutes.

Peanut butter is loaded with so many good, health-promoting nutrients, including vitamin E, magnesium, iron, selenium and vitamin B6. Research shows that people who regularly eat nuts and nut butter, including peanut butter, are less likely to develop heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

Ezekiel bread is about as nutrient-dense as a bread gets. It's a type of sprouted bread, made from a variety of whole grains and legumes that have started germinating (sprouting). Compared to white bread, which is made of refined wheat flour, Ezekiel bread is much richer in nutrients and fiber.

Other types of breads to avoid are those that list sweeteners — such as sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, dextrose, or molasses — among the first ingredients. Lastly, avoid breads that contain raisins or other dried fruit, as these are higher in carbohydrates.

white bread and other refined grains

Like refined sugar, these foods can heighten the body's inflammatory response and contribute to an unhealthy gut microbiome.

Foods that cause inflammation

Try to avoid or limit these foods as much as possible: refined carbohydrates, such as white bread and pastries.

What kills good gut bacteria? ›

Processed foods, as well as alcohol, can also negatively impact gut health. Prebiotic and probiotic foods like whole grains, onions, garlic, fermented foods, miso and yogurt feed the good bacteria in your gut.

Gastric juice consists of HCl and pepsin and can kill bacteria within 15 min when the pH is less than 3.0 (8).

As part of a balanced diet, eggs contribute to a healthy digestive tract and can be helpful during acute digestive problems. In addition to being packed with nutrients, eggs are usually easy to digest compared to some other high-protein foods, such as meat and legumes.

A diet that's high in animal protein, sugar, and fat, and low in fiber — like the diets full of processed foods that are popular in the United States — have been shown to decrease the amount of bacteria in the gut , especially of beneficial Bifidobacterium and Eubacterium species.

Fermented foods like pickles are basically probiotic superfoods, packed full of good bacteria that can support the health of your gastrointestinal microbiome and are good for your gut bacteria. Be sure to go for fermented pickles rather than vinegar-pickled.

Supplements like probiotics, collagen, omega-3 fatty acids, and l-glutamine can all help you heal and seal your gut (but you may not need them all at once). Getting enough sleep and reducing stress can improve your gut health.

Cooked vegetables: Well-cooked vegetables such as green beans, carrots, mashed potatoes without skin, steamed asparagus tips and pureed squash. Use fresh or frozen. Canned or soft fruits: Peeled apples, ripe bananas, cantaloupe, honeydew, watermelon, and canned fruit in fruit juice or light syrup.

Sourdough bread is often better tolerated with IBS. The fermenting process that makes it rise helps break down some gluten and FODMAPS. If you are prone to constipation, ingredients like oats or ground flax may help.

Sourdough bread also takes longer to digest; studies have shown that rye flour added to sourdough can help regulate blood sugar levels which helps ward off diabetes. Sourdough is also a prebiotic, which helps to support the gut microbiome.

Is white bread or wheat bread better for your gut? ›

As a result, 100% whole wheat bread is usually healthier than white bread, as it contains more fiber, has a higher nutritional value, and may have fewer calories. However, white bread may be a better choice if you have a GI or digestive health condition, as the lower amount of fiber can be easier on your stomach.

Dietary fiber is a superior source of microbiota-accessible carbohydrates that can be used by intestinal microbes for energy and by the host as a carbon source [13,86,87].

People with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity should avoid sourdough bread containing wheat, barley, or rye. Sourdough bread contains lower amounts of gluten, lower levels of antinutrients, and more prebiotics — all of which may help improve your digestion.

Improved Digestive Health

According to some studies, sourdough bread acts as a prebiotic, which means that the fiber in the bread helps feed the “good” bacteria in your intestines. These bacteria are important for maintaining a stable, healthy digestive system.

How much sourdough bread is a healthy amount to consume in a day? It is currently recommended to consume 6 servings of grains per day. One sourdough slice of bread is equal to one serving.

Sourdough bread is often better tolerated with IBS. The fermenting process that makes it rise helps break down some gluten and FODMAPS. If you are prone to constipation, ingredients like oats or ground flax may help.

The Bottom Line. In general, you want to look for whole-grain bread that has some fiber, protein and not too much sodium or added sugar per slice. Sprouted grain bread hits all those marks and has a hearty texture that I think is delicious when toasted.

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.

Sourdough is easier on the stomach than other kinds of bread due to its prebiotics, making it easier to digest. Additionally, sourdough contains probiotics that are created during its fermentation process: Yes, there's a science to sourdough starter.

Can I eat bread if I have irritable bowel syndrome? ›

Diet Triggers for IBS Constipation

Some foods can make IBS-related constipation worse, including: Breads and cereals made with refined (not whole) grains. Processed foods such as chips and cookies.

If you're following a low-FODMAP diet for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), you may want to start with a small portion of Ezekiel bread to see how you do since people's tolerance levels differ.

Whole-grain foods such as brown rice or whole-wheat bread provide extra fiber, which helps clean out the intestinal tract.

Potential Risks of Ezekiel Bread

People with diabetes and those trying to lose weight should only eat it in small amounts. Ezekiel bread is not consistent with a keto diet. Although Ezekiel bread is technically flourless, it is not a gluten-free product. Those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance shouldn't eat it.

Sprouted grains give Ezekiel bread far more nutritional value than whole wheat bread. Ezekiel bread has more protein, more fiber, and lower glycemic index for those who want to maintain blood sugar levels throughout the day.

Food for Life sprouted grain Ezekiel 4:9 breads are certified organic and vegan. All of these reasons support the statement that Food for Life Ezekiel 4:9 sprouted grain breads are the healthiest bread you can eat.