Skip to content
While that might sound extreme, it highlights the hearty and robust nature of a well-made sourdough loaf. This isn't just any bread—it's a dense, nutrient-packed powerhouse that stands up to the toughest challenges.
Well, let me tell you, putting in the extra work is worth it! In a world where health investments often come with hefty price tags, the humble loaf of sourdough reveals a surprisingly affordable and beneficial health swap.
Why all the effort, you ask?
Because sourdough isn't just a trendy toast topper; it's packed with probiotics, easier to digest, and has a lower glycemic index compared to other breads. It's a small health investment with big returns, and sometimes, a little extra effort (or imaginary chainsaw) is just what you knead!
Why is that better for me?
The vast majority of breads in our supermarkets are packed with preservatives, sugars and other nasties. Unlike typical shop-bought bread, sourdough has no additives, preservatives or added seed oils.
Sourdough has 40% less sugar per 100 grams compared to regular bread. Regular bread has about 3.5 grams of sugar per two slices, so eating two slices of sourdough toast for breakfast and lunch saves you 2.8 grams of sugar each day. This reduction in sugar may not seem like much - as there is only typically 3.5g per two slices of regular shop bread - but savings can soon add up. Over the course of a year, this cuts a whole 1kg of sugar from your diet.
This reduction in sugar isn't just good for your waistline; it's also beneficial for your overall health. It helps maintain a balanced diet without causing spikes in blood sugar levels. The fermentation process that makes sourdough also lowers its glycemic index to 54, compared to 71 for conventional bread. Those spikes cause sudden drops in energy, spates of hunger and could potentially lead to type two diabetes.
Just a brunch treat?
While most of us tend to think of sourdough as a weekend brunch with eggs and avocado, it’s become a surprisingly affordable staple in most major supermarkets despite the cost-of-living crisis.
We found real sourdough in the following major supermarkets:
- Pro tip: any sourdough with yeast or sugar in the ingredients isn't fermented authentically
- Tesco Brown Sourdough 400G - £2
- ASDA Extra Special White Sourdough 400g - £2 (although this has added rapeseed oil)
- Sainsbury's Sourdough Pave, Taste the Difference 400g - £2.10
- Waitrose No.1 White Sourdough Bread 500g - £2.20
- Morrisons didn't have an own label sourdough we could see, but they did have Jason's The Great White Straight Up Sourdough 450g – £2
So, depending on the price of your typical Kingsmill or Hovis, you are only likely spending an extra 60p-80p per loaf. Over the course of a year (assuming a loaf a week), that's an extra £31.20-£41.60 investment in your health for better gut health, more nutrients, and less sugar. Something we think is well worth the investment.
Happy sawing!
