So I’ve mentioned how I’m trying to be wheat free. Over the last year I’ve noticed that I definitely react to wheat. When I ingest wheat I bloat, like a balloon, it’s not only unsightly it’s damn uncomfortable! As such I’ve been looking to some wheat flour alternatives to bread and pasta. So today I thought I’d review the Gluten Free multigrain brown rice bread from Trader Joes.
This bread like all things gluten free is more expensive than regular wheat based products, this small loaf is $3.99 which is a little on the pricey side compared to the wheat breads, but I’ll pay it for the lack of bloating! The first thing you’ll notice is the smaller size. The Gluten Free bread is MUCH smaller. I could fit 6 of these in our toaster! The second thing you’ll notice is the feel of the bread when you pick it up. It feels stale. No other way to describe it. It has no “give” to it like ‘real bread’. Despite that I figured mostly I only use it for toast anyway so give it a shot!
The slices are small like I said and toasted it’s really not bad at all. The “staleness” feeling to it isn’t a factor toasted though it is VERY dense bread so be aware it takes some chewing to get down. That and it’s pretty dry. If I don’t have sweet potatoes in the house for breakfast I’ll opt for toast with my morning omelette instead.
With the omelette and the veggies it was ok but definitely had to butter the bread, otherwise it was just too dry. I also tried it over the holidays as a sandwich… um no! Never again. Too dry, too chewy and NOT BREAD. Disappointed Trader Joe’s missed the mark on this one. Like I said though it wasn’t wasted because as toast it was fine.
I bought Udi’s brand of Gluten Free bread last month so I’ll be reviewing that soon!
christopher
Any idea where the brown rice comes from for these breads? Arsenic contamination is a very real concern, since American rice grown on former cotton plantations (ie, most rice from the South) can be heavily contaminated with arsenic – as the pesticides used on cotton were often arsenicals. Brown rice, which contains the bran, is more of a problem since arsenic concentrates in the bran. Asian rice is usually much lower as these fields were not treated with arsenic. California is somewhere in between but usually lower since cotton wasn’t grown there.
Di Hickman
No idea on the brown rice sorry. I haven’t bought this bread in a LONG time. I know when buying rice I generally buy Indian or Thai for this reason.
Deb McGrath
The hands down best GF bread is made by Glutino. I think it is so good because it is NOT dairy free. That being said, it won’t work for the author but for others, do try it.
tabbykatcvn74
I like tj’s brown rice bread. I like it toasted because the bread is already dry, BUT it molds entirely to quickly. I bought 2 within a 2 week time frame and they both molded in a matter of a week. I always keep my bread in cool places to prevent mold, but maybe I have to keep it into fridge.
Di Hickman
I keep all my bread in the fridge because of the warm weather (and because the dogs would eat it!). This is the price you pay for no additives or preservatives unfortunately
don
Guess u have not tried the other brands of GF bread? I’ve been at this a long time now, and TJ’s has the best GF breads yet, and I have tried most of then. I is not like reg wheat bread, never will be,; however it’s okay if toasted for sandwiches. Don
Di Hickman
HI Don, thanks for the comment. Nope not tried many because not many are vegan (usually have some egg in them). The TJ one also has egg I believe which is why I no longer buy it (I went vegan last year). I’ve tried the ezekiel bread again (which I used to love), and I’m ok with ONE slice now and again. Any more and I bloat like crazy 🙁 Honestly I’ve just stopped relying on bread and having more potatoes/rice/quinoa etc.