bread alternatives

13

Replies

  • alaskaang
    alaskaang Posts: 493 Member
    Lettuce Wraps work for almost anything you'd normally put on bread, even a burger
    Corn tortillas - make sure you heat them in a pan first, even if you let them cool afterwards, it changes the texture and makes them softer
    Egg Crepes (just eggs made like really thin omelet) - Fill with whatever you would normally want on a sandwich. Will likely need to eat with a fork though rather than picking up.
  • alaskaang
    alaskaang Posts: 493 Member
    Grains, whole or not, aren't actually required in a healthful diet. You can get all the nutrients you need without them. There's nothing wrong at all with not eating bread.


    Very True! And OP, from the sounds of what you are describing in terms of how bread makes you feel, you might have an intollerance to wheat.
  • Mischievous_Rascal
    Mischievous_Rascal Posts: 1,791 Member
    I use half a pita for sandwiches now, 40 cals and no bloating or crazy cravings after. I also like Ryvita and Wasa crispbreads.
  • OddChoices
    OddChoices Posts: 244 Member
    High protein oatmeal pancake
  • SisterC
    SisterC Posts: 121 Member
    Going to try the cauliflower bread...sounds easy to make & nice alterative! Thanks!:flowerforyou:
  • legaline
    legaline Posts: 35 Member
    i wrap my 'sandwiches' in lettuce--my current go-to lunch is turkey, avacado and turkey bacon wrapped in an iceberg lettuce leaf.
  • swat1948
    swat1948 Posts: 302 Member
    I found some almond nut-thins in my local grocery store and they are great to eat with cheese and fruit. If you are going for gluten free these are.
  • Cespuglio
    Cespuglio Posts: 385 Member
    You can also try rice paper. You can find it in Asian markets. It's a thin film made out of rice. It's really, really low calorie and like lettuce, easy for sandwiches and wraps and such. If you're really jonesing for that "starchy" taste with lower calories and carbs that might be a good alternative.
  • chestnutbrown
    chestnutbrown Posts: 53
    Grains, whole or not, aren't actually required in a healthful diet. You can get all the nutrients you need without them. There's nothing wrong at all with not eating bread.


    Very True! And OP, from the sounds of what you are describing in terms of how bread makes you feel, you might have an intollerance to wheat.

    I did wonder that myself, but haven't yet tried giving up all wheat, wanted to just start with bread (baby steps and all that!). I don't eat a lot of pasta but do occasionally indulge in baked goods or crackers which contain wheat. Just giving up the bread has made a big difference, but maybe it would be even better without wheat altogether.
  • chestnutbrown
    chestnutbrown Posts: 53
    You can also try rice paper. You can find it in Asian markets. It's a thin film made out of rice. It's really, really low calorie and like lettuce, easy for sandwiches and wraps and such. If you're really jonesing for that "starchy" taste with lower calories and carbs that might be a good alternative.

    I'll have a search for that, thanks. Everybody's mentioning lettuce wraps so I will try that too! Probably one of the least labour intensive of all the bread alternatives mentioned in this thread!
  • Ericaalicia0608
    Ericaalicia0608 Posts: 23 Member
    I use Orowheat sandwhich thins!
  • lizziebeth1028
    lizziebeth1028 Posts: 3,602 Member
    Random thoughts on bread -

    it's delicious
    2 slices of bread a day never made anyone fat
    when given the choice of no bread for the rest of my life or bread in moderation - I'll take moderation.
  • prairiedawg2014
    prairiedawg2014 Posts: 367
    i just eat weight watchers multigrain bread. the slices are super thin (half the thickness of regular bread). it is much lower in cals, fat and carbs than regular bread. i limit myself to 2 slices per day.
  • jennaworksout
    jennaworksout Posts: 1,739 Member
    very hard to find bread replacement, i dont think there really is anything, I have been making cauliflower wraps, that seem to help a bit, I have gone paleo, and bread is out

    1 cup shredded cauliflower
    1 egg
    1tsp garlic powder
    1 tbsp ground flax

    mix together

    flatten out into 1/2 inch circle on parchment paper lined cookie sheet
    bake at 425 for 20 min, flip, bake for another 5

    makes a good wrap, or can be doubled to make a pizza crust.
  • HypersonicFitNess
    HypersonicFitNess Posts: 1,219 Member
    Is it bread itself or gluten that you are having issues with? I've tried to eliminate gluten (and dairy) b/d they are both contributors to PMS which is a trigger for migraines (which I suffer from).

    I buy gluten free bread Udi's chia bread is great; but I still don't eat a lot of bread

    If I want a "sandwich" I either have one made with romaine, red leaf or green leaf lettuce as my "bread" or one slice of glutten free and the other side is lettuce.
    I also eat "sandwiches" with no bread...on a plate (yes, a veggie burger with veggies cheese, tomato & lettuce and eat it with fork) - I'm weird.

    I've also used the Ezekiel 4:9 sprouted grain tortillas (small) as a wrap (this does have gluten, so I don't do this often)
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    Does anyone have any suggestions for good bread replacements? Thanks!

    If you were using bread for sandwiches then I'd suggest switching to low carb wraps. You can get a big handful of leafy greens, plus other chopped veggies on your sandwich along with the same amount of meat (or whatever you make sandwiches from).
  • BernadetteChurch
    BernadetteChurch Posts: 2,210 Member
    You can also try rice paper. You can find it in Asian markets. It's a thin film made out of rice. It's really, really low calorie and like lettuce, easy for sandwiches and wraps and such. If you're really jonesing for that "starchy" taste with lower calories and carbs that might be a good alternative.

    I'll have a search for that, thanks. Everybody's mentioning lettuce wraps so I will try that too! Probably one of the least labour intensive of all the bread alternatives mentioned in this thread!

    A word of warning re rice paper. You need to soak it in warm water before you can use it to wrap anything, and it can dry out fairly quickly, so when rolled/filed you need to eat it fairly quickly. But it's great filled with things like prawns, vermicilli noodles, grated carrot and fresh herbs, and wrapped up like a spring roll or burrito.
  • ahviendha
    ahviendha Posts: 1,291 Member
    ezekiel bread?

    it doesn't have that same, soft consistency of regular bread which is addicting IMO.

    ezekiel is tougher, harder to chew. Doesn't grill up nice for sandwiches but it does the trick for AB & J's as well as bread for breakfast.
  • lmw0752
    lmw0752 Posts: 1
    I've used lettuce in place of bread for a lot of things... Get big bib lettuce and make lettuce wraps. You can make an old fashioned sandwich (meat and cheese), or use the lettuce in place of a fajita shell for making asian or mexican inspired letruce wraps. They are delicious and you actually taste a lot more of the filling instead of just bread!
  • jlapey
    jlapey Posts: 1,850 Member
    Physical Trainer at the gym recommends bread made from Spelt. There is a health food store near my home that bakes and sells their own bread. They have a spelt option and several others. The store is appropriately named "Our Daily Bread".
  • chestnutbrown
    chestnutbrown Posts: 53
    Google Oopsie Rolls! Follow the instructions to the T, come out great if you do! Flax bread is another alternative. Both are low carb and keto friendly.

    Does anybody know what sort of cream cheese to use for Oopsie rolls? can I go for a low fat version or will that not work? Can I use something like Philadelphia that's designed for spreading and therefore quite soft, or do I need to use something like marscapone which is firmer? Or can I go for a really low fat option like Quark or curd cheese?

    Any tips gratefully received!
  • Melo1966
    Melo1966 Posts: 881 Member
    There is no substitute if you LOVE bread. You change your breads from white to double fiber whole wheat or you can use sandwich thins the two slices have the calories of one slice of bread. But bread in itself is not evil. Actually what one puts between the bread is far worse. Change to a tuna with mustard and romaine lettuce over losing the bread. Bread is good. Bread is yummy. Don't throw the baby out with the water.
  • amberlilies
    amberlilies Posts: 41 Member
    I'm a big fan of lettuce wraps. Use a cup-shaped lettuce like iceberg, butter, or Boston. Fill it with whatever you would put between slices of bread, roll it like a wrap, and enjoy!

    We use this for tacos; cold cuts and deli salads, when you want to splurge on mayo by sacrificing the starch; and my favorite is to grill a nice fish (i.e. mahi mahi) and eat it on the lettuce with a lime-cilantro avocado relish, grilled pineapple, and sriracha.
  • castlerobber
    castlerobber Posts: 528 Member
    Google Oopsie Rolls! Follow the instructions to the T, come out great if you do! Flax bread is another alternative. Both are low carb and keto friendly.

    Does anybody know what sort of cream cheese to use for Oopsie rolls? can I go for a low fat version or will that not work? Can I use something like Philadelphia that's designed for spreading and therefore quite soft, or do I need to use something like marscapone which is firmer? Or can I go for a really low fat option like Quark or curd cheese?

    Any tips gratefully received!

    Regular Philadelphia-style cream cheese, in a block. The Neufchatel 1/3 reduced fat might work, but I haven't tried it. Definitely not low-fat or fat-free. Oopsie rolls require fat, and the recipe I use specifically says the cream cheese should not be softened.
  • FitGirl329
    FitGirl329 Posts: 103 Member
    There's two trains of thought in this thread:

    1) bread doesn't make you fat so eat it in moderation. Switch to wheat/light and it's healthy.

    2) wheat is processed in the body like white and therefore raises blood sugar the same. Whole grain or sprouted or a whole different alternative (wasa crisps, Ezekiel, lettuce, etc) is needed so the body will get rid of the blood sugar raising culprit.

    So no, for those of you who feel totally fine with the blood sugar highs and lows of consuming high GI foods like wheat flour, white flour, white potatoes, pasta, pastries, etc, then option 1 is perfect for you. But many many of us have discovered that blood sugar crashes or highs and lows are bad for us. Or we've switched to a way of eating that has eliminated them and now know we can feel great. So option 2 is our choice. So no, wheat (in moderation) won't make you fat. My bread of choice, prior to changing my way of eating, was the whole wheat sandwich thins. But knowing what I know now, I choose other options. And it's not because it makes me fat. It's the sugar cravings and inflammation and other issues it contributes to.
  • petiteLady89
    petiteLady89 Posts: 198 Member
    I use Ezekiel. Haven't had regular bread in years.
  • chestnutbrown
    chestnutbrown Posts: 53
    Is it bread itself or gluten that you are having issues with? I've tried to eliminate gluten (and dairy) b/d they are both contributors to PMS which is a trigger for migraines (which I suffer from).

    I buy gluten free bread Udi's chia bread is great; but I still don't eat a lot of bread

    If I want a "sandwich" I either have one made with romaine, red leaf or green leaf lettuce as my "bread" or one slice of glutten free and the other side is lettuce.
    I also eat "sandwiches" with no bread...on a plate (yes, a veggie burger with veggies cheese, tomato & lettuce and eat it with fork) - I'm weird.

    I've also used the Ezekiel 4:9 sprouted grain tortillas (small) as a wrap (this does have gluten, so I don't do this often)

    I don't think I have a problem with gluten, I can eat oats etc with no problem. I mainly decided to stop eating bread because I love it so much that I have absolutely no self control. If I eat 1 slice, I'm just as likely to eat 10 (ok, well maybe 10 is going a bit far, but you know what I mean!). Giving it up has made me realise that it did give me blood sugar spikes and crashes though and I do feel much better for not having it.

    I think I'm just going to try not to eat it too often and when I do eat it, it has to be a really good bread, not just your common or garden supermarket crap!

    I wish I could get my daughter off bread too because she's always getting blood sugar crashes and is constantly craving high energy food. But she's so picky, there wouldn't be much else that she'd eat if bread was off the menu!
  • chestnutbrown
    chestnutbrown Posts: 53
    There's two trains of thought in this thread:

    1) bread doesn't make you fat so eat it in moderation. Switch to wheat/light and it's healthy.

    2) wheat is processed in the body like white and therefore raises blood sugar the same. Whole grain or sprouted or a whole different alternative (wasa crisps, Ezekiel, lettuce, etc) is needed so the body will get rid of the blood sugar raising culprit.

    So no, for those of you who feel totally fine with the blood sugar highs and lows of consuming high GI foods like wheat flour, white flour, white potatoes, pasta, pastries, etc, then option 1 is perfect for you. But many many of us have discovered that blood sugar crashes or highs and lows are bad for us. Or we've switched to a way of eating that has eliminated them and now know we can feel great. So option 2 is our choice. So no, wheat (in moderation) won't make you fat. My bread of choice, prior to changing my way of eating, was the whole wheat sandwich thins. But knowing what I know now, I choose other options. And it's not because it makes me fat. It's the sugar cravings and inflammation and other issues it contributes to.

    Totally agree!
  • Kaiukas
    Kaiukas Posts: 111 Member
    I come from Northern Europe and in my language there are completely different words for white bread (made of wheat) and black bread (made of rye). I grew up on rye bread and I love it and I believe it to be very healthy, especially the super yummy full-corn versions. Then I moved to the UK and this is when my problems started and I quickly figured out that I am wheat-intolerant. I had very serious digestive problems and my energy levels were up and down the way that I had never experienced before. I have never even liked wheat bread, but there was very little alternative for it those days in the UK. Fortunately things are changing and I hope it is the case where you are too.

    Proper rye bread is full of fibre and most importantly B-group vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B10) which are brilliant for skin and nervous system. I cannot recommend it enough. Yummyyyy!!!
  • stbrad6896
    stbrad6896 Posts: 135
    I have cut down the bread myself and let me say I'm just not a fan of most "bread alternatives" although I do wanna google those "oopsie rolls"... sounds interesting. If you can find Ezekiel bread over there it really is a great product. Healthier, easier for the body to process and tastes good! As for me I don't have the patience to mess with most bread alternatives so I just stick to soups, salads, lettucs wraps, stuffed peppers or mushrooms (you can stuff anything! haha). But I do have my bit of bread on occasion, I just make sure not to include it in every meal. If you moderate it you will still be better of than you were before having bread or pasta with every meal (cutting out grains and this is hard so wean yourself off!)

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