What kind of bread has the lowest carb count?

When following a low-carb or ketogenic diet, choosing the right kind of bread is crucial. Bread is a staple food for many people, but not all bread options are created equal when it comes to carbohydrate content. The key to picking a truly low-carb bread is to look for options made with nut flours, instead of grains. Here’s an overview of some of the lowest-carb bread options on the market.

Keto Bread and Low-Carb Bread Options

There are a variety of words used to describe low-carb bread options: keto bread, paleo bread, almond flour bread, coconut flour bread, etc. But they all have a similar meaning – bread made without traditional grains like wheat. Instead, they are made with non-starchy nut and seed flours like:

  • Almond flour
  • Coconut flour
  • Walnut flour
  • Pumpkin seed flour
  • Sunflower seed flour
  • Flaxseed meal

These nut and seed flours create a bread with fewer net carbs, meaning it fits into a low-carb, ketogenic, paleo, or gluten-free diet better than regular bread. Here’s a quick overview of some of the most popular low-carb bread brands and options:

Keto Bread Brands

  • ThinSlim Foods – They make low-carb breads out of a blend of wheat protein isolate and fiber. Each slice has about 5 net carbs.
  • Great Low Carb Bread Company – They use wheat protein and oat fiber to keep net carbs around 8 per slice.
  • Liviva Foods – Made with almond flour and egg whites with 4 net carbs per slice.
  • Keto and Co – These almond flour and coconut flour breads have 5 net carbs.
  • Julian Bakery – Coconut flour and egg whites bring carb counts down to about 6 per slice.
  • Alpine Valley – Wheat protein with wheat bran extract for 7 net carbs per slice.

Low-Carb Bread Options

In addition to pre-packaged bread brands, many grocery stores now carry low-carb specialty breads in the bakery section. Look for options like:

  • Seedy nut breads with almond, walnuts, pecans, etc.
  • Coconut flour bread
  • Flax bread
  • Low-carb ciabatta
  • Low-carb bagels
  • Low-carb tortillas made with coconut or almond flour

Aside from store-bought options, there are many low-carb bread recipes that use nut flours, flax meal, and other low-carb ingredients. Baking your own allows you to control the ingredients and customize the carbs to fit your diet.

Figuring Out Carb Counts in Low-Carb Breads

So how many net carbs can you really expect in low-carb and keto bread options? Here is the carb count for 1 slice (about 1 oz or 28g) of some popular options:

Bread Total Carbs Fiber Net Carbs
ThinSlim Foods 8g 3g 5g
Great Low Carb Bread Co. 12g 4g 8g
Liviva Foods 6g 2g 4g
Keto and Co 7g 2g 5g
Julian Bakery 8g 2g 6g
Alpine Valley 10g 3g 7g

As you can see, net carb counts range from 4-8g per slice for most low-carb bread options. This means you can fit 1-2 slices into a low-carb diet plan, while keeping total net carbs under 20g per day.

The Lowest Carb Bread Options

Based on the table above, here are some of the lowest carb bread slices you can find:

  • Liviva Foods Bread – 4g net carbs per slice
  • Keto and Co Bread – 5g net carbs per slice
  • ThinSlim Foods Bread – 5g net carbs per slice
  • Julian Bakery Bread – 6g net carbs per slice
  • Alpine Valley Bread – 7g net carbs per slice

Liviva Foods bread is made with almond flour and egg whites, giving it the lowest carb count at just 4g net carbs per slice. This allows you to potentially fit 2-3 slices into a keto low-carb meal plan. Keto and Co and ThinSlim Foods breads are also impressively low at just 5g net carbs. These are great options for low-carb sandwiches and toast!

Tips for Low-Carb Bread Success

Here are some tips for shopping for and using low-carb breads:

  • Check the labels – Watch out for added sugars in some breads, go for options with short ingredient lists.
  • Look for high fiber – This subtracts from the total carbs to give you a lower net carb count.
  • Freeze extra bread – Low-carb breads stay fresh longer when frozen.
  • Toast it – Quickly toasting bread improves texture and makes it feel more like regular bread.
  • Use small pieces – Such as halves for sandwiches or 1-2 inch cubes for bruschetta.
  • Try savory add-ins – Add herbs, cheeses, nuts, or seeds to dough before baking for extra flavor.
  • Sweeten carefully – Use just a drizzle of honey or maple syrup to lightly sweeten bread when needed.

Healthiest Low-Carb Bread Ingredients

Reading ingredient lists closely is key to finding truly healthy low-carb bread options. Here are some key ingredients that make up the healthiest keto-friendly breads:

  • Almond Flour – Finely ground almonds create a protein and fiber-rich flour substitute with healthy fats.
  • Coconut Flour – Made from dried, defatted coconut meat. It’s high in fiber.
  • Flaxseed Meal – Made from ground flaxseeds. Adds fiber, protein, and omega-3 fatty acids.
  • Psyllium Husk – A soluble fiber that can help lower cholesterol and control blood sugar.
  • Chia Seeds – Provides an egg replacer plus fiber, protein, and heart-healthy omega-3s.
  • Apple Cider Vinegar – Boosts the rise and moisture content. Also provides a tangy flavor.
  • Eggs and Egg Whites – Used as a binder for structure and texture. Provides protein.
  • Herbs and Spices – Like garlic powder, onion powder, rosemary, and oregano for flavor without extra carbs.

Try to avoid low-carb breads with a lot of wheat protein isolates, soy protein, extra sugar, and preservatives. The healthiest choices focus on whole food ingredients like nuts, seeds, eggs, and spices.

Homemade Low-Carb Bread

Although it takes more effort, making low-carb bread at home lets you control the ingredients completely. Here is a basic recipe and process for making keto bread at home:

Ingredients

  • 3 cups almond flour
  • 1/4 cup coconut flour
  • 1 tbsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 6 eggs
  • 1/3 cup melted butter or coconut oil
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • Optional: 1/4 cup sweetener like monk fruit or stevia

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a loaf pan with butter or oil.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: almond flour, coconut flour, baking powder and salt.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients: eggs, butter/oil, vinegar and optional sweetener until combined.
  4. Add the wet mixture to the dry mixture and stir until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
  5. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread evenly.
  6. Bake for 45-50 minutes until browned on top and a toothpick comes out clean from the center. Allow to cool at least 10 minutes before slicing.

This basic recipe can be customized in many ways. Try adding 1/4 cup cocoa powder for chocolate bread, spices like cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice, or stir in nuts, seeds, coconut, or berries before baking. The options are endless!

Lowest Carb Bread: The Verdict

When it comes to the bread with the absolute lowest amount of net carbs, Liviva Foods Bread made with almond flour and eggs comes out on top with just 4g net carbs per slice. However, other great options like Keto and Co, ThinSlim Foods, and Julian Bakery provide almost as few carbs at 5-6g per slice. These all allow fitting in 1-2 slices even in a strict keto diet plan.

To keep carb counts low, look for nut-based breads made primarily with almond flour, coconut flour, psyllium husk, eggs or egg whites, flaxseed meal, and spices. Avoid extra sugars or wheat protein isolates. Making your own keto bread at home lets you control the ingredients for an even healthier low-carb option.

With the rise in popularity of low-carb and keto diets, the options for low-carb breads have greatly expanded in recent years. There are now many delicious ways to enjoy sandwiches, toast, and bread servings while keeping net carbs low. Experiment with different brands and recipes to find your favorites!

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