The 18 Unhealthiest Store-Bought Sliced Breads You Can Buy

Convenience often trumps healthiness. This is even evident in the bread aisle of the supermarket. Sliced bread has long been a staple in households across the globe, providing a convenient and versatile option for meals morning, noon, and night. While the focus of dieting and health is usually on counting calories and monitoring carbohydrate and fat content, it's essential to delve deeper into the composition of these loaves, to truly understand their impact on our health.

The true nutritional value of bread lies in the presence of essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Unfortunately, the 18 sliced breads discussed in this article fall short in various ways, because they contain less nutrients, as well as undesirable ingredients.

One prominent offender is excessive sodium content. While salt is an essential mineral, high sodium levels can lead to detrimental health effects. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, these include increased blood pressure and the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

From refined flours to artificial preservatives, we dove into the reasons why these breads are unhealthy. Whether you are a health-conscious individual seeking to optimize your diet, or a concerned consumer aiming to provide your family with better options, this article will give you the knowledge to navigate the bread aisle with confidence and choose the most nutritious options available.

Pepperidge Farm Farmhouse Hearty White bread, while marketed as a wholesome choice, still falls short in terms of nutrition. With 130 calories per one-slice serving, this bread may seem to contain a moderately low amount of calories. However, a closer look at this product reveals its drawbacks. Each serving contains 230 milligrams of sodium. This can be bad, because too much sodium can contribute to health issues like high blood pressure, according to the CDC.

Furthermore, one slice contains 4 grams of sugar, all of which comes from added sugars. The ingredient list also reveals the presence of processed ingredients, which can diminish the overall nutritional value of the bread. Despite its branding as a farmhouse-style bread, Pepperidge Farm Farmhouse Hearty White still leaves room for improvement in terms of its healthiness.

Sara Lee Italian Bread is a sliced bread option that appears to be low in calorie content, but in terms of sodium, it contains 240 milligrams. While relatively moderate, sodium intake should be monitored, as high percentages can lead to adverse health effects.

Overall, Sara Lee Italian Bread seems to have a relatively favorable nutritional profile compared to some other options, but it's essential to consider the composition of the bread. The ingredient list contains preservatives which lessen its nutritional value, in our eyes.

While this bread may be a convenient choice for many, we encourage shoppers to balance their bread selection by prioritizing whole, unprocessed options to ensure a more comprehensive array of essential nutrients in their diet.

Country Kitchen Hearty Canadian White Bread presents itself as a relatively moderate sliced bread option in terms of calories. It comes with 110 calories per one-slice serving. The bread also contains a lower amount of sodium, with 150 milligrams in each slice. While these numbers may seem appealing, it's important to take into account the overall nutritional composition of the bread.

For example, check out the ingredient list. This list is long and full of words that don't feel like they should be in a bread recipe. While this is common in most sliced bread to help keep its shelf life, there are a bit too many of these ingredients for our liking. Although Country Kitchen Hearty Canadian White Bread may offer convenience and a satisfying taste, we consider it to be unhealthy.

Pepperidge Farm's Sweet Hawaiian Bread, known for its soft texture and sweet flavor, falls into the category of sliced breads that are higher in sugar content. While most sliced bread contains anywhere from 1 gram to 3 grams of sugar per slice, this delectable bread has 6 grams per slice — 5 of which are added sugars. This sweet Hawaiian bread also has a high sodium content of 210 milligrams per slice, which can cause health problems down the road if not eaten in moderation. It also includes enriched wheat flour, additives, and preservatives. 

However, what saves this bread from a true lack of nutrition is the fact it contains no high fructose corn syrup, artificial colors, or flavorings. For special occasions, this bread is a real treat, but it's one option that truly doesn't hold nutritious value, especially if consumed regularly.

Arnold's Whole Grains Double Protein bread offers a healthier option for individuals looking to incorporate more nutrients into their diet, with 38 grams of whole grains, 6 grams of fiber, and 14 grams of protein in every two slices of bread. Unfortunately, the bread still contains 150 milligrams of sodium per slice. 

There are healthier ways of getting your daily protein and fiber intake than this sliced bread. Arnold's doesn't have high fructose corn syrup, but it does contain preservatives that keep the bread fresh on the shelves. In moderation, it's not a problem, but consistent consumption could lead to health issues. 

Panera's Everything Sliced Bread may look appealing — thanks to its "everything" seasoning blend — but its nutrition facts are concerning. With 180 milligrams of sodium in one slice and a host of unnatural ingredients, this bread falls short in terms of healthiness. 

While it does include nutritious components — like sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dried onions, dried garlic, and other seasonings – it lacks the extensive nutritional benefits found in whole-grain alternatives. It may advertise the presence of grains, but it's actually made with enriched wheat flour. A diet high in sodium can lead to health problems such as high blood pressure and heart disease, making this bread a less-than-ideal choice for individuals seeking a nutritious and health-conscious option.

Glutino's Gluten-Free Multigrain Bread is a viable option for those adhering to a gluten-free diet. With 170 milligrams of sodium in one slice, it doesn't contain that much sodium, in our opinion.

However, the removal of gluten necessitates the addition of alternative ingredients that may not provide the best nutritional value for overall health and wellness. While this bread may offer variety with its multigrain composition, it's important to note that gluten-free alternatives often rely on processed starches, which can lack essential nutrients. Individuals seeking a healthier option may benefit from exploring other types of gluten-free sliced bread.

Bimbo's Large White Bread raises concerns about its overall nutrition and healthiness. With 150 calories, 250 milligrams of sodium, and 3 grams of sugar, this bread offers little in terms of nutritional value. Although it does not contain high fructose corn syrup and has added calcium, the presence of enriched flour and a range of other additives concern us. 

Enriched breads lack the fiber and nutrients found in whole grain breads, making it a less nutritious choice. Individuals looking for a healthier option may benefit from choosing bread made with whole grains, minimal additives, and lower sodium and sugar content to improve their overall nutrition and well-being.

Home Pride's Butter Top Wheat sliced bread may seem like a low-calorie and low-sodium choice, with 70 calories and 140 milligrams of sodium per serving. However, this is the nutritional content of only one slice of bread. Additionally, the ingredient list for this product isn't great. Enriched wheat flour, high fructose corn syrup, artificial additives, and preservatives are all present in the list. 

Individuals seeking to buy a healthy sliced bread product should skip this one. Instead, look for something made with whole grains and natural ingredients, and without artificial additives and excessive sugar content.