The Best Type Of Bread To Add More Protein To Your Diet

While there's nothing more comforting than a warm slice of bread slathered with a generous pat of butter, some of us try to limit our carbohydrate intake for various reasons. If you're watching your carb consumption in favor of a high-protein diet, you may think you need to cut bread from your diet completely. However, carbs are necessary for our bodies to function properly. In fact, the Mayo Clinic recommends that carbs make up 45% to 65% of the average American's total daily calories. That means if you consume roughly 2,000 calories a day, you should eat between 225 and 325 grams of carbs daily for optimal health.

So what if you're carb-conscious and are focused on adding more protein to your diet? There's a type of bread for that. While sourdough bread often gets a reputation for being the "healthiest" bread when it comes to its nutritional content (it's richer in nutrients than most bread and is easier to digest, per Healthline), there's another type of bread that reigns supreme when it comes to protein content.

A flourless bread made from sprouted whole grains, Ezekiel bread is a vegan, plant-based protein source that packs four grams of protein per slice on average, according to Verywell Fit. It's also a complete protein source, meaning it includes all nine essential amino acids your body needs to function optimally. Plus, each slice contains 15 grams of carbs and three grams of fiber, the latter of which can help you feel satiated for longer and regulate digestion. 

For comparison's sake, the average slice of white bread contains 13 grams of carbs, a mere 0.6 grams of fiber, and just two grams of protein, per Healthline. Ezekiel bread has a rich flavor and dense texture, per Taste of Home, and can be purchased at your local grocery store  — try Food for Life's Ezekiel bread, found in the frozen bread aisle or you can even make some at home. If you do choose to go the homemade route, keep these tips for ways to make homemade bread taste better in mind.