What Bread is 50 Calories and How Do You Find It?

November 6, 2025 •

4 min read

Specific bread brands and homemade recipes are designed to offer approximately 40-60 calories per slice, with some at the 50-calorie mark. This is achieved by adjusting portion sizes, increasing fiber content, and using specific flour blends. The question remains: what bread is 50 calories, and how can you find it?

Quick Summary

An overview of commercial and homemade bread options approaching 50 calories per slice. Details of brand examples, how to identify them, and the nutritional balance to consider when selecting a loaf.

Key Points

Check Commercial Brands: Search specifically for low-calorie brands like Hovis Nimble (UK), Schmidt 647 (US), or Sara Lee Delightful, which offer slices around 50 calories.
Go for Thin-Sliced Options: Many brands offer thinner versions of their whole-grain breads, like Dave's Killer Bread Thin-Sliced, which can lower the calorie count per serving.
Read the Label: Always check the serving size and calorie information on the nutrition label, as marketing terms like 'light' don't guarantee a low-calorie count.
Consider Homemade Bread: Baking your own bread allows you to control ingredients and portion sizes precisely, ensuring a low-calorie outcome.
Look Beyond Calories: Assess the ingredients; higher fiber and whole grains offer more nutrients, while some low-calorie breads may be highly processed.
Explore Alternatives: For very low-calorie options, consider non-traditional alternatives like cauliflower or cabbage 'bread'.

Navigating the Low-Calorie Bread Aisle

Finding a commercial bread with 50 calories per slice requires careful label reading. Many products marketed as 'light' or 'healthy' may still exceed this benchmark. Typically, a 50-calorie slice is achieved through a smaller portion size and the addition of fiber-rich ingredients to add volume without extra calories.

Popular Low-Calorie Bread Brands

Hovis® Nimble® Wholemeal: This UK-based brand is known for its wholemeal loaf, which contains approximately 50-52 calories per slice. It’s a classic example of a purpose-built, reduced-calorie bread.
Thin-sliced breads: Brands like Dave's Killer Bread and Pepperidge Farm offer thin-sliced options that are smaller and lighter than their standard counterparts, often falling in the 60-70 calorie range, though sometimes not quite 50.
Schmidt Old Tyme 647: This bread is well-regarded in the US for its low-calorie and low-carb content, with slices often landing in the 40-50 calorie zone. The addition of fiber and specific formulations helps keep the calorie count down.
Sara Lee® Delightful™: Specific versions, like the Soft & Smooth® Wheat or Healthy Multi-Grain, are listed at 45 calories per slice (based on a two-slice serving).
ThinSlim Foods Zero Carb Bread: For those prioritizing extremely low-carb and low-calorie intake, this US-based option often lists minimal calories, sometimes as low as 45 per slice.

The Truth About Low-Calorie Bread

While the low-calorie count is appealing, it's important to be aware of the nutritional trade-offs. Some diet breads may reduce calories by stripping out valuable nutrients and relying on added fiber. The Los Angeles Times has highlighted that some low-calorie options may feel less substantial and lack the nutrient density of traditional whole-grain varieties. It's crucial to look beyond just the calorie count and examine the ingredient list and fiber content. Quality, fiber-rich ingredients are key to making a low-calorie bread a healthy choice.

Making Your Own 50-Calorie Bread at Home

For those who prefer control over their ingredients, a homemade approach is a viable option. Recipes for low-calorie bread typically emphasize a high water-to-flour ratio, less added fats like oil or butter, and a precise slicing method to control portion size.

Homemade Recipe Tips

Use whole wheat flour: Whole wheat provides more fiber and nutrients than white flour.
Increase fiber: Consider adding ingredients like oat fiber, flaxseed meal, or psyllium husk to boost volume and satiety without adding significant calories.
Control portion size: The key to a 50-calorie slice is slicing the loaf thinly. Many recipes suggest slicing into 20-22 slices to achieve the low-calorie target.

Low-Calorie Bread Alternatives

Beyond traditional loaves, there are other food options that serve as excellent, low-calorie bread substitutes for wraps and sandwiches. These alternatives are often gluten-free and vegetable-based.

Cauliflower Bread: This is a popular low-carb and gluten-free option. Recipes typically involve blending cooked cauliflower with egg and cheese, then baking to form a 'bread'.
Cabbage Bread: Shredded cabbage mixed with egg can be formed into flatbread-like pieces in a skillet for a low-calorie, high-fiber wrap.
Lettuce Wraps: Large, crisp lettuce leaves like iceberg or romaine are a classic, virtually calorie-free substitute for bread in sandwiches or burgers.
Rice Cakes: Unflavored rice cakes offer a crunchy, low-calorie base for toppings. Their calories are often around 35-50 per cake, depending on the brand.

Comparison Table of Low-Calorie Breads


Bread Type/Brand	Approx. Calories per Slice	Key Benefit	Potential Drawback
Hovis® Nimble® Wholemeal	50-52	High in fiber, whole grain based	Availability may be limited outside the UK
Schmidt Old Tyme 647	40-50	Excellent low-calorie and low-carb option	Can be difficult to find in all regions
Homemade Low-Calorie Bread	~50	Full control over ingredients, fresh	Requires time and effort to bake
Sara Lee® Delightful™	45	Widely available, good flavor	May contain more additives than homemade
Thin-Sliced Whole Grains	~60	Widely available, whole grain options	Slightly higher calorie count
ThinSlim Foods Zero Carb	45	Very low carb, high fiber	May have a different texture and flavor than traditional bread

Conclusion

While finding a commercial bread that is precisely 50 calories per slice can be a challenge, there are several brands and methods to get very close. Key options include specific low-calorie loaves like Hovis Nimble or Schmidt 647, thin-sliced varieties, or baking your own at home by controlling portion size and ingredients. For the most calorie-conscious, alternatives like cauliflower or cabbage 'bread' can also be effective. The best choice depends on your priorities—be it convenience, nutritional quality, or ingredient control. The most important step is always to read nutrition labels and assess the overall value of the bread beyond just the calorie count. For an interesting perspective on the nutritional reality of some of these products, read this article: Low-calorie bread is too good to be true - Los Angeles Times.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, some specific brands and formulations are designed to achieve this, though you often need to look at 'thin-sliced' or diet-specific products. Brands like Schmidt Old Tyme 647 or Hovis Nimble are examples that can be found in this range.

The calorie count is reduced primarily by adjusting the portion size (thin slices) and substituting high-calorie ingredients with fiber-rich alternatives, which add volume and satiety without adding significant calories.

It depends on the bread. While the low-calorie count can be beneficial for weight management, some products achieve this by using processed ingredients. Healthier versions use whole grains and natural fiber sources.

The taste and texture can differ from regular bread. Some low-carb, high-fiber options can be less dense or have a different mouthfeel, while modern recipes often taste much closer to traditional versions.

You can find these options in most major grocery stores in the bread or diet-specific sections. International availability will vary by brand.

To bake your own, use a recipe with a high water-to-flour ratio, minimal added fats, and add fiber sources like psyllium husk or oat fiber. The key is consistent, thin slicing to control the final calorie count per slice.

Yes, common low-calorie alternatives include lettuce wraps, rice cakes, and vegetable-based options like cauliflower or cabbage 'bread'.