Bread confusion

I've recently bumped into more kinds of bread that added to my already befuddled bread  nutrition education. I've covered the basics like avoiding refined flour or carbs found in white bread and pastries, and opting for unrefined, complex bread because of its fiber content.

But where does gluten-free and flourless 7-grain breads come in? Are they "allowed" in calorie-restriction/low-carb diets? Calorie-wise, it seems that all breads are the same, averaging 70-80 per slice. So if you're going for calorie-counting, it doesn't really matter which bread you choose, but just consider its GI, right? Which bread has the lowest GI?

Bread is a very simple food at heart.... Flour, water and yeast.  That's why it's a pretty standard cals per ounce.   Gluten-free breads are really aimed at coeliacs.  (No idea what a flourless bread would look like.... empty packet?) 

The 'best' bread will be something freshly made and with the simplest contents (shortest ingredients list) and the lowest GI bread will be the one with the highest fibre content.  PS. Everyone goes on about white bread being 'empty calories' but if you find some really good quality crusty white bread to serve with a bowl of soup it's quite a delicious treat..... enjoy.

Thanks gi-jane!I did my homework and listed some of my fave breads with their calorie content and GI load.

Whole Wheat Bread

Glycemic Index: 67

Glycemic Index Rating: Medium

Calories (1 slice): 70-80 Calories

Baguette (French Style Bread Loaf)

Glycemic Index: 95

Glycemic Index Rating: High

Calories (100g): 240

Gluten-Free Bread (White)

Glycemic Index: 76

Glycemic Index Rating: High

Calories (1 Slice): 80-113

Rye Bread (Whole Wheat)

Glycemic Index: 58

Glycemic Index Rating: Medium

Calories (1 slice): 83

Oatbran Bread

Glycemic Index: 47

Glycemic Index Rating: Low

Calories (1 slice): 71

Pita Bread

Glycemic Index: 57

Glycemic Index Rating: Medium

Calories (1 Pita): 147 

Kaiser Roll

Glycemic Index: 73

Glycemic Index Rating: High

Calories (1 roll): 167

1 Roll averages 140-150 Calories

Wheat Bread

Glycemic Index: 53

Glycemic Index Rating: Low

Calories (1 Slice): 79 

Croissant

Glycemic Index: 67

Glycemic Index Rating: Medium

Calories (28g): 115

Medium Croissant (56g): 231

the "best" bread is going to be something with very few ingredients and additives, and high in fiber and protein... so look for a bread that is all natural, with the least amount of processing done to it

something like Etzekiel Bread or Squirrely Bread will be your best bet. These breads are made of sprouted grains and contain no flour... they are high in fiber and protein, and low GI. They have a dense and nutty taste to them, and are quite filling.

a lot of people on this site reccomend Etzekiel bread

If you want filling bread that takes a while to digest you'd go for wholewheat, rye, oatbran, pitta, wheat.  If you want something a little fluffier to go with a Low GI meal... have the baguette.  A croissant is a pastry, not a bread...

I try to look at the label and see it has whole grains or whole wheat flour. Many major brands now have 100 percent whole grain breads or things with like flaxseed that I feel are pretty good choices. If you are more health concious and have a Whole foods or Trader Joes ezekiel is more natural and comes in many varieties. There are also brands like Rudi's that makes sprouted bread. If you add a protein and or fat to your carbs too it helps to feel more satisfied.