Is Great Value Honey Wheat Bread Whole Grain?

January 14, 2026 •

2 min read

While the name might suggest a healthy option, the presence of "honey wheat" does not automatically mean a bread is whole grain. A close look at the ingredients list for Great Value Honey Wheat Bread reveals the key to its nutritional profile, which is not 100% whole grain.

Quick Summary

Great Value Honey Wheat Bread is not 100% whole grain, as its ingredients list shows enriched flour, a refined grain, listed first. The presence of some whole wheat flour does not outweigh the use of refined grains, which lack the full nutritional benefits of whole grains.

Key Points

Refined Grain First: The primary ingredient in Great Value Honey Wheat Bread is enriched wheat flour, indicating it is not a whole grain bread.
Read the Ingredients List: To identify true whole grain bread, look for "whole" preceding the grain's name, such as "whole wheat flour," as the first ingredient.
Don't Trust the Name: Terms like "honey wheat" or "wheat bread" are not guarantees of whole grains and often signify a refined product.
Look for the Stamp: The Whole Grains Council seal, particularly the "100% Whole Grain" stamp, is a reliable indicator of genuine whole grain content.
Choose Whole for Health: Opting for 100% whole grain options provides more fiber, nutrients, and antioxidants, benefiting digestive and heart health.
Check the Label Carefully: Be aware that misleading marketing can make products appear healthier than they are; the ingredients list is the most reliable source of information.

Deciphering the Ingredients: What's in Great Value Honey Wheat Bread?

The answer to whether Great Value Honey Wheat Bread is whole grain lies in its ingredients list. The label shows that the primary ingredient is enriched wheat flour, not whole wheat flour. Ingredients are listed by weight, so enriched flour is the most abundant. Enriched flour is a refined grain, meaning the bran and germ are removed during processing. While whole wheat flour is listed, it is further down, indicating a smaller amount than the refined flour. This makes it a multi-grain product, but not a whole grain one.

Whole Grain vs. Wheat vs. Multigrain: What's the Difference?

Understanding bread labels is important for nutrition.

Whole Grain: Contains the bran, germ, and endosperm. Can be wheat, oats, or barley.
Whole Wheat: Made only from the whole wheat kernel. All whole wheat is whole grain, but not vice versa.
Wheat Bread: Usually made with refined white flour and should not be confused with whole wheat.
Multigrain: Contains multiple grains, but they may be refined, not necessarily whole grains.

Navigating the Bread Aisle with Confidence

To find genuine whole grain bread, check the packaging and ingredients. The Whole Grains Council offers stamps. The 100% Whole Grain Stamp indicates all grain ingredients are whole grain, with at least 16 grams per serving, while the Basic Whole Grain Stamp means at least 8 grams of whole grain per serving, but may include refined grains. If there's no stamp, check the ingredients. Look for "whole" before the grain, like "whole wheat flour," listed first. Be cautious of "enriched wheat flour" or "made with whole grain," which often mean mostly refined grains.

The Benefits of Choosing Whole Grains

Whole grain bread offers health benefits from the fiber and nutrients in the bran and germ. Benefits include improved digestion, heart health, weight management, and being a good source of various nutrients.

Comparison Table: Great Value Honey Wheat vs. 100% Whole Grain


Feature	Great Value Honey Wheat Bread	True 100% Whole Grain Bread
Primary Flour	Enriched Wheat Flour	Whole Wheat Flour
Nutritional Value	Lacks much fiber and nutrients of whole grains.	Contains all grain parts, offering more fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
Whole Grains	Contains some whole wheat, but not the main ingredient.	Made entirely with whole grain flour, listed first.
Flavor/Texture	Often softer and sweeter.	Denser, richer, nuttier flavor.
Health Claim	May use misleading terms.	Labeled "100% Whole Grain" or "100% Whole Wheat".

Conclusion

Great Value Honey Wheat Bread is not a whole grain bread, despite containing some whole wheat flour. Its main ingredient, enriched wheat flour, makes it a refined product with fewer nutrients than true whole grains. Consumers should check the ingredients list, look for a Whole Grains Council stamp, and ensure "whole" is listed first to make healthy choices. Always read labels carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

Great Value Honey Wheat Bread contains some dietary fiber, but significantly less than a 100% whole grain bread because it is primarily made with refined flour.

Honey wheat is a flavor description that typically indicates a refined wheat bread sweetened with honey. Whole wheat, on the other hand, means the bread is made exclusively with the entire, unrefined wheat kernel.

To ensure a bread is truly whole grain, check the ingredients list for the word "whole" before the grain's name, such as "whole wheat flour," and confirm it is the first ingredient. Alternatively, look for the Whole Grains Council's 100% Whole Grain Stamp on the packaging.

No, multigrain only means the bread contains several different types of grains. These grains can be refined, and the bread is not guaranteed to contain any specific amount of whole grains.

No, they are different products. Great Value's 100% Whole Wheat & Honey Bread uses whole wheat flour as its primary ingredient, while the standard Honey Wheat bread uses enriched (refined) flour.

Using enriched flour, a refined grain, results in a softer texture and longer shelf life, which is preferred by some consumers. It also allows for a lower production cost compared to using 100% whole grains.

Yes, for a healthier option, choose a bread that is labeled "100% Whole Grain" or "100% Whole Wheat" and lists a whole grain as the first ingredient.