Author's opinion

Is Ezekiel Bread Gluten Free? Here Are The Facts In 2024

Mitchelle Morgan, MA

Published at 23:50

Kathy Shattler, PhD

Medical reviewer

Ezekiel bread, although made from sprouted grains, still contains gluten. Photo: Pixx Media/Shutterstock Have you ever noticed a glute

Is Ezekiel bread gluten free?

If you’re following a GF diet or cannot tolerate gluten, you may wonder if Ezekiel bread is safe. Well, worry no more! Here we’ll discuss its gluten content. We’ll also shed light on the sprouting process, health benefits, and alternatives for those seeking gluten-free bread for weight loss.

Does Ezekiel Bread Contain Gluten?

Ezekiel bread has gluten. Although it is a good option for those without gluten-free restrictions, this type of bread is not suitable for people with gluten intolerance, celiac disease, and a GF diet.

Are Any Of The Gluten Free Ezekiel Breads?

No. Ezekiel bread has gluten. This is due to including wheat and other whole grains containing gluten. So, if you have celiac disease, gluten intolerance, or are following a GF diet, opt for something other than Ezekiel bread.

Gluten can your small intestine [1] when you have celiac disease and stir up your digestive system if you cannot tolerate gluten or are sensitive to it. Instead, you can consider meal replacement bars. You could instead try meal replacement bars. These are easy to carry and still give you the right mix of macronutrients.

When looking for gluten-free options, make sure you read the labels carefully. They should meet your specific dietary needs and tastes and give you the nutrients you need.

What Is Ezekiel Bread?

People love Ezekiel bread for its unique nutritional profile and health benefits. Photo: Pixx Media/Shutterstock

Ezekiel bread is a type of flourless bread. It is made from sprouted grains like organic malted barley, wheat, spelled, millet, and lentils. People love it for its nutritional profile. It contains lots of fiber[2] and vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, depending on the specific grain.

Thanks to its potential health benefits, Ezekiel bread has become increasingly popular. Its sprouting process activates digestive enzymes that enhance nutrient availability and limit anti-nutrients.[3]  Both vegetarians and vegans can enjoy it, too. However, the bread still contains gluten and, therefore, cannot fit into your GF diet. In addition, you should avoid Ezekiel bread if you have celiac disease[4] or cannot tolerate gluten,[5].

Benefits

Despite containing gluten, this bread offers additional benefits due to its sprouted grain composition. Sprouting can enhance nutrient availability and digestibility, potentially increasing levels of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. So here are the additional benefits in detail:

Nutrient-Rich And Whole Grains

Ezekiel gluten free bread ingredients enhance the bioavailability[2] of proteins, phosphorus, and other minerals. This provides a wholesome option for a balanced diet.

High Fiber Content

Ezekiel bread is a good source of dietary fiber. This may promote healthy digestion and contribute to a feeling of fullness,[6] helping you lose weight.

Potential Blood Sugar Control

Ezekiel bread has a relatively low glycemic index. This may help you regulate blood sugar levels. The slow release of carbohydrates into the bloodstream can prevent rapid spikes and crashes. This makes it a favorable choice in place of white bread if you seek high-fiber whole-grain alternatives to add to your diabetes diet.

Satiety And Weight Management

This bread’s fiber and protein content can increase satiety, which helps curb cravings[7] and reduces overeating. If you want to manage your weight or make healthier dietary choices, this can be quite beneficial.

Complete Protein Source

The combination of sprouted grains in Ezekiel bread provides a great range of essential amino acids. This is particularly beneficial for vegetarians and vegans who may struggle to obtain all essential amino acids from plant-based foods alone.

Best GF Substitutes

There are several options for gluten-free substitutes. Photo: baibaz/Shutterstock

Finding GF packaged or prescribed consumables like protein powders or vitamins is easy. The packaging has been required by law for over a decade to be labeled gluten-free. It can also be simple for store-bought or homemade bread. There are several options for GF substitutes.

Here are some of the best products and baked goods:

  • GF Sprouted Grain Bread: Look for Ezekiel GF bread ingredients like rice, quinoa, amaranth, or buckwheat. These have similar textures and nutritional benefits.
  • GF Rice Bread: When you want to avoid gluten, rice bread is best. The key ingredient is typically rice in brown or white flour varieties.
  • GF Seed Bread: Seed-based bread, such as those made with chia seeds, flax seeds, or sunflower seeds, offers nutrient-dense alternatives.
  • GF Nut Bread: Nut-based bread, like almond or cashew bread, provides a delicious. These are often rich in healthy fats and can be a great source of protein.
  • GF Sourdough: Options include rice flour, sorghum flour, or buckwheat flour. These GF sourdough breads undergo a fermentation process that can make them easier to digest and potentially lower in gluten content.

The Bottom Line

Going back to our opening question, “Does Ezekiel bread have gluten?” the answer is YES. However, other options are available for those with dietary restrictions. 

However, it is always a good idea to check in with a registered dietitian. You will be able to make informed choices as long as you are mindful of your requirements and seek professional guidance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you eat Ezekiel’s bread on a GF diet?

You cannot have it on a GF diet because it contains gluten.

Are any breads naturally gluten-free?

Most breads are not naturally gluten-free. But other breads with GF grains are.

How to store Ezekiel bread?

To store, you can keep it at room temperature, but for extended shelf life, it is recommended to store it in the refrigerator.

What are the best GF alternatives to Ezekiel bread?

Some excellent alternatives include gluten-free, organic sprouted grain bread, white and brown rice bread, seed bread, and sourdough bread.

Mitchelle Morgan is a health and wellness writer with over 10 years of experience. She is passionate about helping others live a better lifestyle through scientifically-backed content. With a Master’s degree in Communication, Mitchelle’s work always provides readers with actionable content.

Resources

MANA adheres to strict sourcing guidelines, avoids most tertiary sources, and uses only professional resources updated to contain accurate and current information. We majorly rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic research from reputable medical associations. For more information regarding our editorial process, please refer to the provided resources.

  1. Uhde, M., Ajamian, M., Giacomo Caio, Roberto De Giorgio, A Indart, Green, P.H., Verna, E.C., Volta, U. and Armin Alaedini (2016). Intestinal cell damage and systemic immune activation in individuals reporting sensitivity to wheat in the absence of coeliac disease. Gut, [online] 65(12), pp.1930–1937. doi:https://doi.org/10.1136/gutjnl-2016-311964.
  2. Benincasa, P., Falcinelli, B., Lutts, S., Fabio Stagnari and Galieni, A. (2019). Sprouted Grains: A Comprehensive Review. Nutrients, [online] 11(2), pp.421–421. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11020421.
  3. Ikram, A., Saeed, F., Muhammad Afzaal, Imran, A., Niaz, B., Tufail, T., Hussain, M. and Faqir Muhammad Anjum (2021). Nutritional and end‐use perspectives of sprouted grains: A comprehensive review. Food Science & Nutrition, [online] 9(8), pp.4617–4628. doi:https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.2408.
  4. Caio, G., Volta, U., Sapone, A., Leffler, D.A., De Giorgio, R., Catassi, C. and Fasano, A. (2019). Celiac disease: a comprehensive current review. BMC Medicine, [online] 17(1). doi:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-019-1380-z.
  5. Roszkowska, A., Pawlicka, M., Mroczek, A., Kamil Bałabuszek and Nieradko-Iwanicka, B. (2019). Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity: A Review. Medicina, [online] 55(6), pp.222–222. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina55060222.
  6. Clark, M.J. and Slavin, J.L. (2013). The Effect of Fiber on Satiety and Food Intake: A Systematic Review. Journal of the American College of Nutrition, [online] 32(3), pp.200–211. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/07315724.2013.791194.
  7. Leidy, H.J. (2014). Increased dietary protein as a dietary strategy to prevent and/or treat obesity. Missouri medicine, [online] 111(1), pp.54–8. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6179508/.
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