What Bread is Best for Type 2 Diabetes?

One of the most common sources of carbohydrates in the average person’s diet is bread. Pre-sliced, whole grain, tortillas, naan, pita bread, bagels… there are literally hundreds of types of bread to choose from. But what do you do when you’re living a low-carb lifestyle? What bread is good for people with diabetes? What is a good substitute bread for people with diabetes if you’re cutting bread out completely? What bread is lowest in sugar? Let’s take a look at some of the good substitute bread options available on store shelves, and a few tasty options you can cook up in your own kitchen.

Can I eat bread if I have type 2 diabetes?

At Virta, our stance is to generally avoid traditional bread and grain-based products that are high in carbs. These foods trigger an insulin response from your body and make blood sugar levels more difficult to control, especially for people with diabetes. There are a number of good bread substitutes that can satisfy your craving without spiking your blood sugar. 

What is a good substitute for bread with diabetes?

So, what is a good substitute for bread with diabetes? For starters, this skillet bread with cheese is a good substitute bread option. Packed with cheddar cheese, and using substitutes of almond flour and flaxseed meal in place of traditional flour gives this cheesy bread all the chew and flavor of traditional bread without the bump in blood sugar.  

You also might wonder, is sourdough a good bread for people with diabetes? Sadly, no, but if you’re craving dinner rolls, these easy-to-prepare low-carb dinner rolls with garlic and parmesan can scratch your bread itch. Spread the butter on and enjoy the garlic-y goodness, because coconut flour and psyllium powder again take the place of traditional flour to make this a good bread substitute for people with diabetes

Need something to take the place of waffles or pancakes for your weekend breakfast or brunch? Chaffles. Cheese waffles. Sounds like a match made in heaven, right? Only three ingredients, and almond flour takes the place of traditional flour to give you a low-carb breakfast go-to. Top with full-fat yogurt and berries, butter, or sugar-free whipped cream.

How to shop for diabetes-friendly bread

While some solid low-carb and bread substitutes are available at the grocery store, it’s important to remember that not every low-carb product is right for every person. For example, low net carbs doesn’t always mean low total carbs, and if you have high blood sugar those options may not be a great choice. 

That said, low-carb tortillas, keto bread, and almond, coconut, flaxseed or chia seed breads can be good substitute breads for people with diabetes. Some of the best store bought bread substitutes for people with diabetes can actually be found in the produce and dairy aisles.

• Lettuce wraps (think veggie taco shells or leafy tortillas)
• Portobello mushrooms (great options for burger bun substitutes)
• Cheese crisps (crunchy and a great substitute for crackers)
• Zoodles (raw zucchini put through a spiralizer to replace noodles)

The Takeaway

Ultimately, there is no silver bullet when it comes to what bread is good for people with diabetes. But through a combination of homemade, store bought, and produce or dairy based bread substitutes, you can find something to scratch your bread itch without sacrificing stable and lower blood glucose levels.

If you want to live a low carb lifestyle and reclaim your metabolic health, Virta Health may be able to help. By making healthy lifestyle changes in a medical setting with supportive resources like 1:1 virtual coaching, you can regain control of your health and feel like yourself again. See if you’re eligible for Virta Health here.