Canyon Bakehouse is a popular brand of gluten-free bread. With gluten-free diets becoming increasingly common, many people are wondering whether Canyon Bakehouse bread is a healthy option.
What is Canyon Bakehouse Bread?
Canyon Bakehouse is a company that specializes in gluten-free baked goods, including breads, bagels, and muffins. Their products are made without wheat, rye, barley, or oats – all grains that contain gluten. Instead, Canyon Bakehouse uses other gluten-free grains like rice, sorghum, millet, teff, and amaranth.
Some of their most popular bread varieties include:
- Mountain White Bread
- 7-Grain Bread
- Cinnamon Raisin Bread
- Everything Bagels
- Hamburger Buns
- Deli Rye Bread
The company was founded in 2009 by a husband and wife team who wanted to create delicious and nutritious gluten-free baked goods after the husband was diagnosed with celiac disease. Canyon Bakehouse breads are made without dairy, eggs, nuts, or soy ingredients.
Nutrition Facts
Here is the nutrition information for one slice (34g) of Canyon Bakehouse 7-Grain Bread:
| Calories | 80 |
|---|---|
| Total Fat | 1g |
| Saturated Fat | 0g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 0mg |
| Sodium | 180mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 15g |
| Dietary Fiber | 2g |
| Total Sugars | 2g |
| Protein | 3g |
As you can see, a slice of Canyon Bakehouse 7-Grain Bread contains 80 calories, 1g of fat, 15g of carbohydrates, 2g of fiber, and 3g of protein. It is free of cholesterol, trans fats, and saturated fats.
Compared to regular wheat bread, Canyon Bakehouse bread tends to be lower in carbohydrates and calories. It also provides more fiber since it incorporates nutrient-dense ancient grains like sorghum and amaranth.
Ingredients
Canyon Bakehouse breads are made with simple, gluten-free ingredients like:
- Gluten-free whole grains (rice flour, sorghum flour, millet flour, teff flour, amaranth flour)
- Tapioca flour
- Potato starch
- Water
- Yeast
- Xanthan gum
- Sugar
- Salt
- Vegetable oils
- Natural flavors
- Preservatives (calcium propionate, sorbic acid)
They do not contain any artificial colors, flavors, or sweeteners. The breads are vegan and non-GMO as well.
One concern with gluten-free breads is that they often contain starches and gums to mimic the texture of gluten. However, Canyon Bakehouse keeps their ingredient lists short and avoids unnecessary additives.
Benefits
Here are some of the main benefits of Canyon Bakehouse gluten-free bread:
- Gluten-Free – Safe for people with celiac disease, gluten sensitivity, or wheat allergy
- Low Glycemic – Helps regulate blood sugar levels
- High in Fiber – Aids digestion and promotes satiety
- Contains Nutrient-Dense Grains – Packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants
- No Artificial Ingredients – Free of artificial preservatives, sweeteners and flavors
- Non-GMO – Not genetically modified
The combination of ancient grains and gluten-free flours like sorghum, millet, amaranth, and teff give Canyon Bakehouse bread a nutritional boost. These grains provide iron, magnesium, fiber, protein, and other important vitamins and minerals.
Additionally, Canyon Bakehouse bread is low glycemic, meaning it does not spike blood sugar levels as drastically as some other gluten-free or refined grain breads. The fiber and protein help slow digestion, preventing energy crashes.
Downsides
While Canyon Bakehouse is one of the healthier gluten-free bread options, there are a few potential downsides to consider:
- Higher in carbohydrates and calories than some other gluten-free bread brands
- Contains xanthan gum and preservatives like calcium propionate and sorbic acid
- Not organic
- May be more processed than some homemade gluten-free bread recipes
- More expensive than regular wheat bread
The calorie, carb, and fiber content may vary between Canyon Bakehouse bread flavors. For example, the Mountain White Bread is 90 calories per slice compared to 80 calories in the 7-Grain. Check nutrition labels to compare.
While they avoid artificial additives, Canyon Bakehouse bread still contains xanthan gum to provide structure and preservatives to extend shelf life. Those following an elimination diet or looking for the most minimal ingredients may want to bake their own gluten-free bread.
Taste and Texture
Finding great-tasting gluten-free bread can be challenging. Here is how Canyon Bakehouse bread compares in terms of taste and texture:
- Taste – Most flavors like 7-Grain, Cinnamon Raisin, and Deli Rye taste delicious and are well-seasoned.
- Crust – The crust is tender with a subtle crunch.
- Crumb – The bread has a decent rise and light, moist interior.
- Softness – While soft upon baking, it tends to firm up and set faster than regular bread when stored.
- Main Flour – Primary grain is brown rice flour, which gives the bread a pleasant sweet, nutty flavor.
Overall, Canyon Bakehouse receives rave reviews for being one of the closest to real bread in taste and texture on the gluten-free market. The combination of ancient grains and conventional gluten-free flours like rice and tapioca flour provide both flavor and structure.
Price
On average, Canyon Bakehouse bread costs about $5.49 – $5.99 per loaf. Here are the price ranges for some of their top selling breads:
| Bread Variety | Price Range |
|---|---|
| 7-Grain Bread | $5.49 – $5.99 |
| Mountain White Bread | $5.49 – $5.99 |
| Hawaiian Sweet Bread | $5.49 – $5.99 |
| Cinnamon Raisin Bread | $5.49 – $5.99 |
| Deli Style Rye Bread | $5.49 – $5.99 |
| Everything Bagels | $5.49 – $5.99 |
| Hamburger Buns | $5.49 – $5.99 |
A loaf of Canyon Bakehouse typically contains 18-20 slices. This equates to about $0.27 – $0.30 per slice, which is pricier than conventional wheat bread. However, it’s very comparable to other gluten-free specialty breads.
You can often find Canyon Bakehouse breads on sale at grocery stores for 10-20% off. Purchasing a few loaves at once and freezing can help lower the per-slice cost as well.
Where to Buy
Canyon Bakehouse products are sold at many major grocery store chains across the United States and Canada. Some of the most common places to find Canyon Bakehouse bread include:
- Safeway
- Kroger
- Publix
- Sprouts
- Whole Foods
- Wegmans
- Target
Canyon Bakehouse bread can also be purchased online from sites like Amazon Fresh and Peapod. Buying online tends to be a bit more expensive than shopping sales at local stores.
If you cannot find Canyon Bakehouse locally, check the store locator on their website. You can search by zip code to find nearby retail locations.
Storing and Freezing
To maximize freshness, store Canyon Bakehouse bread at room temperature tightly wrapped for up to 5-7 days. If you won’t use the full loaf in that timeframe, consider freezing the remainder.
To freeze:
- Allow the bread to cool completely after baking.
- Tightly seal the remaining slices in a plastic freezer bag or airtight container.
- Press out as much air as possible.
- Freeze for up to 3 months.
To thaw, take out the desired number of slices and leave at room temperature for 30-60 minutes until thawed. You can also toast directly from frozen.
Properly stored at room temp or in the freezer, Canyon Bakehouse bread maintains excellent taste and texture for enjoying throughout the week.
Nutrition for Special Diets
Here is how Canyon Bakehouse bread fits into some popular diet approaches:
Gluten-Free Diets
All Canyon Bakehouse products are tested to have less than 20ppm of gluten, making them safe for celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity.
Grain-Free Diets
Canyon Bakehouse breads are not grain-free since they contain gluten-free whole grains like rice, sorghum, millet, teff, and amaranth flours. They would not be suitable for grain-free diets.
Paleo Diets
Canyon Bakehouse bread is not paleo-friendly, as it contains grains, starch, yeast, and small amounts of sugar. Those following a strict paleo diet would need to avoid it.
Low-Carb and Keto Diets
With 15g net carbs per slice, Canyon Bakehouse bread may not fit into a ketogenic diet. However, it can potentially be enjoyed in moderation as part of a low-carb diet.
Low-FODMAP Diets
The FODMAP content has not been tested. Some gluten-free breads are high in FODMAPs, so those with IBS may want to exercise caution and test individual tolerance.
Diabetic Diets
Due to the fiber and protein content, Canyon Bakehouse bread has a relatively low glycemic impact compared to some gluten-free breads. In moderation, it can potentially fit into a diabetic diet.
Allergens
Canyon Bakehouse bread is free from major allergens like wheat, dairy, eggs, nuts, soy, and sesame. However, their products are made in a facility that also processes milk, eggs, almonds, pecans, walnuts, and coconut.
Individuals with severe allergies should exercise caution. Cross-contamination is possible, though the company claims to follow strict allergen protocols.
Nutritional Yeast
Some Canyon Bakehouse bread varieties like Mountain White and Hawaiian Sweet contain nutritional yeast. Nutritional yeast gives bread a cheese-like flavor.
Nutritional yeast is inactive yeast made from beet molasses and sugar cane. It provides B-vitamins, protein, and trace minerals. While nutritious, it is not suitable for those following a strict yeast-free diet.
Preservatives
To extend shelf life, Canyon Bakehouse uses the following preservatives:
- Calcium Propionate – Prevents mold growth
- Sorbic Acid – Anti-fungal agent
Those wishing to avoid all preservatives may want to opt for homemade gluten-free bread or a brand like Schar that uses no preservatives. The trade-off is shorter shelf life.
Sustainability
Canyon Bakehouse aims to operate with sustainability in mind:
- Solar panels help minimize energy consumption at their bakery.
- They recycle ingredients and cardboard packaging at their facilities.
- Employees participate in community clean-up days.
- Partners with organizations like One Tree Planted to support reforestation.
While not fully sustainable or zero-waste, Canyon Bakehouse is taking steps to reduce their environmental footprint.
Packaging
Canyon Bakehouse bread packaging consists of:
- Plastic bag – Polypropylene (#5 plastic)
- Cardboard sleeve – Recyclable (#20 and #21 plastic)
- Twist tie – Not recyclable
The plastic bag and cardboard sleeve are recyclable in many municipal recycling programs. However, the twist tie would need to be removed and discarded.
Those wishing to reduce plastic waste may want to seek out brands using fully compostable or paper packaging.
Conclusion
Canyon Bakehouse offers a tasty gluten-free bread option with simple ingredients and nutritional benefits. Their loaves are free from artificial flavors and sweeteners with no added dairy, eggs, nuts or soy.
Compared to regular wheat bread, Canyon Bakehouse is lower in carbohydrates and calories but with more fiber and protein. The combination of gluten-free ancient grains gives their bread a flavor and nutrition boost.
Potential downsides are the use of xanthan gum and preservatives for texture and shelf life. It’s also more expensive than regular bread. Those with severe allergies should be cautious due to potential cross-contamination.
Overall, Canyon Bakehouse bread is a healthier choice than many commercial gluten-free breads. In moderation, it can be enjoyed as part of a balanced diet by many people, including those following gluten-free, diabetic and low-carb diets.
