How many calories are in a slice of Coop Tiger bread?

November 5, 2025 •

4 min read

According to Co-op's official nutritional data, a typical 50g slice of their Tiger bread contains 129 calories. This popular loaf, known for its distinctive rice paste crust, can have a slightly different calorie count depending on the specific product and slice size.

Quick Summary

A slice of Coop Tiger bread can range from 129 to 140 calories, varying by product type and slice thickness. Toppings will also significantly impact the total energy count.

Key Points

Calorie Variation: The number of calories in a slice of Coop Tiger bread can vary slightly depending on the specific product, ranging from 129 to 140 kcal for an average slice.
Nutritional Profile: A standard 50g slice contains around 129 kcal, 1.6g of fat, and 24g of carbohydrates, with modest amounts of protein and fibre.
Distinctive Crust: The unique, crunchy crust is created by applying a rice flour paste before baking, contributing to the bread's texture and flavour.
Portion Awareness: Since slice size directly affects calorie count, portion control is key, especially if you slice the loaf yourself from a bloomer.
Healthier Toppings: To keep the meal balanced, opt for healthier toppings like avocado, hummus, or low-fat cheese, and avoid excessive butter or creamy spreads.
Dietary Context: While not a low-calorie bread, it can be part of a healthy diet with mindful portion control and nutritious pairings.
Product Specifics: Always check the nutritional information on the packaging of the specific loaf you are buying, as values can differ between products like a standard loaf and a bloomer.

A Closer Look at the Calories in Coop Tiger Bread

Understanding the exact calorie count for a slice of Coop Tiger bread requires checking the specific product, as there can be minor variations. For example, the standard Co-op Tiger Bread (400g) lists an 'average slice' at 50g, containing 129 kcal. The Sliced Tiger Bloomer (800g), with a slightly larger 57g slice, contains 140 kcal. This difference highlights the importance of checking the nutritional information for the specific loaf you purchase.

Nutritional Breakdown of a Standard Coop Tiger Bread Slice

Beyond just the calories, it's helpful to see the full nutritional picture. Using the data for the standard 400g loaf, a typical 50g slice contains:

Energy: 129 kcal (547 kJ)
Fat: 1.6g
Saturates: 0.3g
Carbohydrates: 24g
Sugars: 1.1g
Fibre: 0.8g
Protein: 4.4g
Salt: 0.42g

The Science Behind the Tiger Crust

The unique and delicious crackled crust of tiger bread is the result of a special rice paste that is applied to the dough before baking. This paste is made from ingredients such as rice flour, water, yeast, salt, oil, and sugar. As the bread bakes, the paste ferments and the dough expands, causing the rice paste to dry out and form the characteristic mottled pattern. The ingredients in this paste contribute to the overall flavour and texture, giving the bread its distinct chewiness and slight sweetness. While the paste itself adds some calories, the total amount is relatively small compared to the entire loaf, and is a key factor in what makes tiger bread so appealing.

How Coop Tiger Bread Compares to Other Loaves

To put the calorie count in context, it's useful to compare Coop Tiger bread with other common types of bread. The nutritional content can differ significantly, particularly regarding fibre and added ingredients.


Feature	Coop Tiger Bread (50g slice)	Coop Honest Value White Bread (33g slice)	Warburtons Tiger Bloomer (37.5g slice)
Energy	129 kcal	77 kcal	94 kcal
Fat	1.6g	0.5g	0.9g
Saturates	0.3g	0.1g	0.2g
Carbohydrates	24g	15g	17.3g
Fibre	0.8g	1.3g	0.8g
Protein	4.4g	2.7g	3.8g
Salt	0.42g	0.28g	0.37g

This comparison shows that a slice of Coop Tiger bread, being larger and containing slightly more fat and carbs, has a higher calorie count than a smaller slice of standard white bread. It is nutritionally comparable to other tiger bloomer products from different brands when considering equivalent slice sizes.

Factors That Influence the Total Calorie Count

The headline calorie count is only part of the story. The total energy you consume will depend on several factors:

Toppings and Fillings: Adding toppings like butter, cheese, or spreads will significantly increase the calorie and fat content. For example, a single teaspoon of butter adds around 36 kcal. Choosing healthier options like avocado or hummus can add nutrients without excessive saturated fat.
Slice Thickness: If you're slicing a whole loaf yourself, the calories per slice will vary depending on how thick or thin you cut it. Thicker, larger slices will contain more calories.
Portion Size: If you have two slices for a sandwich, you will be consuming double the calories of a single slice. Awareness of portion sizes is crucial for dietary management.

Making Healthier Choices with Tiger Bread

While not the lowest-calorie bread on the market, Coop Tiger bread can still be part of a healthy diet. The key is balance and mindful consumption.

Here are some tips for healthier eating with tiger bread:

Control your portions: Stick to one or two slices rather than an entire half-loaf.
Choose mindful toppings: Opt for nutrient-rich spreads like avocado, a thin scrape of peanut butter, or low-fat cottage cheese instead of butter or creamy spreads.
Load up on fibre: Pair your bread with a side of vegetables or a salad to increase your overall fibre intake, which promotes satiety and digestive health.
Consider wholemeal alternatives: If weight loss is a primary goal, switching to a wholemeal or high-fibre loaf might be more beneficial, as these can provide longer-lasting energy and higher nutrient density.

To learn more about bread and its place in a healthy diet, you can find a useful guide on the British Heart Foundation website: 5 healthy toast toppings - Heart Matters magazine - BHF.

Conclusion

In summary, a slice of Coop Tiger bread typically contains between 129 and 140 calories, depending on the specific product and slice size. Its unique flavour comes from a rice flour-based paste applied to the crust before baking. While it is a satisfying option, managing your calorie intake is about more than just the bread itself. By being mindful of your portion size and choosing healthy, low-calorie toppings, you can enjoy this delicious bread while maintaining a balanced diet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Coop Tiger bread is not considered particularly high in calories compared to other enriched breads, but a single slice does contain more calories than a standard thinner slice of white bread due to its larger size and density.

A slice from the Coop Sliced Tiger Bloomer (approx. 57g) contains 140 calories. This is slightly higher than the standard Tiger bread slice due to its larger portion size.

The signature rice paste crust contributes to the overall calorie count, but the increase is minor relative to the entire loaf. It adds flavour and texture more than a significant amount of calories.

Yes, according to Co-op's official product information, their Tiger bread is listed as suitable for vegans.

To reduce calories, you can manage your portion size by cutting thinner slices and choosing low-calorie, nutrient-rich toppings like hummus, avocado, or a light vegetable spread instead of butter or sugary jams.

Per slice, Tiger bread is generally higher in calories than a typical wholemeal loaf, primarily because of the larger slice size of bloomers and the type of flour used. Wholemeal options often contain more fibre.

Tiger bread's unique flavour comes from the rice paste that is brushed over the dough before baking. The fermentation and baking process gives the crust a distinctive, slightly salty and savoury taste.