When you plan to follow a low-carb diet, eliminating bread entirely can be one of the most difficult challenges you can face. Sourdough bread is the latest trend because it is known to have a long fermentation process and many health benefits. But what sets this bread apart from other breads? And, most importantly, is it low carb?
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What is sourdough bread?
Sourdough bread is made with a starter. Basically, starter is a mixture of flour and water that is allowed to ferment, meaning it gets its own little community of bacteria.
When you bake sourdough bread, you feed your starter more flour and water so that there is enough food for all the bacteria to continue to thrive until they are ready to do their work in your dough again.
Sourdough is also often baked at lower temperatures than regular bread; at about 90 °F instead of 400 °F, which results in a softer texture than most supermarket breads.
Is sourdough healthier than regular bread?
In addition to the mass and bite of sourdough, it also contains more fiber, vitamins and minerals than regular bread and may even help with weight loss. The bacteria present in fermented foods are thought to be beneficial for digestion and lowering cholesterol levels.
Sourdough bread also has more protein than regular bread, containing 6.6 grams per slice, which is the same as two eggs or three ounces of meat.
Additionally, sourdough contains less sugar than traditional white sandwich bread. With only 1 teaspoon per serving compared to 3 teaspoons in other types. This means you get all the flavors without the added sugar.
Is sourdough bread lower in carbs?
Sourdough bread is made from a starter, which is a mixture of flour and water with natural yeast and bacteria. The bacteria in the starter break down some of the carbohydrates in the flour and make them unavailable during baking.
This means that Sourdough bread has fewer carbohydrates than regular wheat bread.
Is sourdough low carb?
If you are following a keto diet, it is important to consider the amount of carbohydrates in each serving of sourdough bread. The amount varies depending on how your bread is made and what type of flour is used for the recipe.
Regular wheat-based bread is high in sugar and carbohydrates, but sourdough is lower in both.
Although, sourdough bread BEN have some carbs, it won't hurt too much when you're on a low carb diet. Sourdough has 10 grams of carbohydrates per slice compared to 20 grams per slice of regular bread. Consequently, sourdough bread is an excellent choice for sandwiches or toast in the morning.
Is Sourdough Keto?
Determining whether a particular type of bread is completely keto-friendly or not will depend on the carbohydrate content. With sourdough bread it's a little different because you can make this bread using any type of flour you want. Using whole grain flour instead of all-purpose flour will lower the carbohydrate content, making whole grain sourdough a perfect alternative to regular high carb bread.
Is Sourdough Bread Keto Friendly?
Sourdough bread really is keto-friendly—if it's made with the right ingredients.
You can make sourdough bread with a starter, but you need to make sure that the starter contains only whole grain flour and water. If you are going to use a starter, it should be fed regularly with more flour and water until it becomes bubbly and thick.
Sourdough bread is also low in gluten, which makes it great for people who suffer from celiac disease or a gluten sensitivity. It's also lower in carbs than regular bread, so it's a good choice for those following the keto diet.
Can you eat sourdough bread on a keto diet?
You may have noticed that sourdough bread is sometimes listed as a low-carb food. But that doesn't mean all sourdough breads are low in carbs. The reason for this has to do with the way the bread is made.
Some sourdough breads contain wheat and other grains, which are not keto friendly. Others may contain sugar, milk or more ingredients which means the bread is not keto friendly.
If you are new to the keto diet, then the recommended amount of carbohydrates per day can start with 50 grams. In this case it will be perfectly reasonable for you to have 1 or 2 slices of sourdough bread, as it contains 10 grams of carbohydrates per slice. However, this will greatly depend on the type of flour used to make the sourdough starter.
Standard dough is not keto friendlybecause all-purpose flour is made from whole grains making it high in carbohydrates.
Low Carb Sourdough Bread Recipe
Sourdough bread is delicious and versatile, but the best part is that it's packed with healthy prebiotics. The sweet and tangy flavor of sourdough also makes it an ideal option for keto dieters looking to add variety to their meals or snacks.
Since this high-fat, low-carb meal plan involves cutting out a lot of grains, which would also include traditional dough, here's a way to make a keto version that still retains the rich taste and texture of the real deal:
- almond flour
- Psyllium husk powder
- Fine coconut flour
- Flaxseed powder
- Baking powder
- Himalayan salt
- Egg whites
- egg
- Buttermilk
- Raw apple cider
- Warm water
Start by gathering all your ingredients, then combine the almond flour, psyllium husk powder, coconut flour, flax seed powder and salt. In a bowl, whisk the egg whites, egg, buttermilk and apple cider vinegar. Fold the wet into the dry ingredients. Gradually add water to the mixture until you have a nice dough.
Preheat your oven to 375°F and knead the dough into a nice ball, place in a greased baking dish and bake for an hour.
Keto-friendly bread types
If you've been following the keto diet for more than a hot minute, you probably already know how hard it is to find low-carb bread that doesn't remind you of cardboard. Here are some delicious keto friendly breads to try, trust me – they are amazing!
- Cloud bread
- Dough with thick head
- Ezekiel Bread
- Sourdough bread
Cloud bread
cloud bread is a low-carb, flour-free alternative to traditional sandwich bread. It is made with eggs, cream cheese and cream of tartar. You can use it instead of tortillas or flatbreads to make sandwiches or wraps. Its texture is soft and spongy – similar to pita bread – so it's ideal for dipping or lying on. Cloudy bread is also a great base for bruschettas and paninis.
Dough with thick head
Fat dough is made from mozzarella cheese and cream cheese. The best thing about this dough is that it's easy to make and can be used in place of breadcrumbs for low-carb pizzas. You can also use the fat dough to make pizza crusts or garlic knots, or even use it as a bun for your burgers!
Ezekiel Bread
Most breads are full of carbohydrates, which can make it difficult for you to stick to a low-carb diet. If you're following a ketogenic or low-carb lifestyle, Ezekiel bread may be the answer.
Ezekiel's bread it's made with sprouted grains and legumes instead of regular flour, so it's lower in carbs than regular bread. This makes it a great choice if you're trying to limit your carb intake while still getting all the nutrients that come from eating whole grains. It also contains other healthy ingredients like protein and fiber, which can help you feel fuller longer.
Sourdough bread
Sourdough bread is an especially good option for those on the keto diet. It's made with a starter that contains live bacteria, which help break down the starch in the flour and allow it to digest more easily.
Sourdough bread is especially low in carbs, with 1 slice containing about 7 grams of carbs! A standard loaf of sourdough bread has approximately 100 calories and 2-3 grams of net carbs per slice. Which is nothing compared to the standard 50-60 grams of carbs found in even the thinnest slices of white sandwich bread.
So is sourdough bread low carb?
Sourdough bread is really low in carbs, with 7-10 grams of carbs in each slice. It is good to include these in your diet.
Whether you choose to make a sandwich, toast, or use it as a dip for your soup, you'll inevitably find yourself enjoying the subtle sweetness without experiencing the emptiness of regular white bread!
Frequently asked questions
Is sourdough bread a carb?
Yes, sourdough bread has carbohydrates, which can be reduced depending on the type of flour used. When made with white flour, sourdough bread has a fairly high carbohydrate content.
Is sourdough bread good for weight loss?
Wholemeal sourdough bread can help with weight loss because of its combined glycemic index.