Ezekiel Bread: The Reason It's So Healthy For You

Ezekiel 4:9 Bread, a product of Food for Life, is a sprouted grain bread that has celebrities like Victoria Beckham and Carrie Underwood singing its praises for its healthy ingredients. If Posh Spice is eating it, then it has to be good for you, right? But what makes it so healthy? 

Ezekiel bread is made from wheat, millet, barley, spelt, soybeans, lentils, and contains no sugar. The Ezekiel bread website states, "We discovered when these six grains and legumes are sprouted and combined, an amazing thing happens. A complete protein is created that closely parallels the protein found in milk and eggs." Sounds promising at 80 calories a slice and it's certified organic. Not to mention, this nutrient packed bread contains 18 amino acids and comes in cinnamon raisin, flax, and sesame.

But are you scratching your head wondering what sprouted grain even is and why it makes Ezekiel bread a healthier option than say the grain used to make everyone's childhood favorite Wonder Bread?

According to The Science of Eating, allowing grain seeds to germinate or sprout releases nutrients. This ultimately produces a flour that is richer in protein and vitamins than those found in similar supermarket breads made with the shamed and shunned white flour. 

The National Center for Biotechnology Information conducted a study that seems to concur that there is indeed an increase in nutrients of germinated grains. According to the study, "Overnight soaking and germination up to 7 days significantly increased the free amino acids and total sugars while the content of dry weight and starch decreased... The percent protein in germinated grains was higher than in the initial grain as a result."

Ezekiel bread can be found in the frozen section of Whole Foods or online at Amazon where you will also receive it frozen. Why frozen? It has nothing to do with Elsa and Olaf. Instead, it helps keep the preservative-free bread fresh and prevents molding (via Eat This, Not That). 

While it might not be the crusty French baguette covered in butter that your mouth taste buds are calling for, Ezekiel bread is clearly a healthy choice, so mash up an avocado, push aside the guilt, and enjoy.