Tag-Team Review: French Meadow Bakery Healthy Hemp™ Bread

by Mike and Stacie

Part of being a dietitian, and a dietitian’s husband, is trying new products so that we know what’s available, and palatable, for readers and patients. Well, thanks to French Meadow Bakery for sending us a sampler pack of some of their new products to try out and review here at Building Nutrition.

Who is French Meadow Bakery?

The French Meadow Bakery first opened its doors in 1985, and applies “old world bread-baking techniques, ancient healthy grains and seeds and cutting edge foods research to create baked goods the world loves.” According to their website, they avoid genetically-modified ingredients in their foods and produce foods in a variety of categories (not all foods have all of these characteristics):

• Gluten-free (for those who have celiac disease)
• Casein-free (i.e., milk protein free)
• Fiber rich
• Lactose free
• Low Glycemic
• Omega Rich
• Vegan
• Yeast free

Where do you buy French Meadow Products?

Healthy Hemp™ Bread

So let’s get to the wheat, er meat, of this review: the French Meadow Bakery’s Healthy Hemp™ Bread. First, I’ll let Stacie discuss the nutritional aspects of the product, and then we’ll both record our opinions of the product, but first I want to ease your fears about the “Hemp” part of this bread. No, it’s not going to get you high, nor will it affect any drug tests. Hemp flour is not the same as “weed”.

Nutritional Value of Healthy Hemp™ Bread

Both Hemp Sprouted Bread and most regular wheat bread servings are 2 slices. (How to read a food label)

• Calories: 190, which is slightly more calories than traditional bread, but the added fat and protein account for the increase in calories.
• Sodium: 195 mg, which is less sodium than traditional bread.
• Total fat: 4 grams, which is slightly higher than traditional bread, but it does contain healthy fatty acids (omega-3s), so that is a plus!
• Dietary fiber: 10 grams. Wow! two slices will give you 40% of your daily fiber needs! Make sure that you drink lots of fluids when you eat this bread, or it may cause you to have bloating or gas if you are not used to eating a high fiber diet.
• Protein: 14 grams. This is equal to 2 eggs, 2 cups of milk, or 2 ounces of meat. Great if you don’t eat a lot of protein-rich sources and you need to get protein from other sources.

Who should NOT try this bread?

• People who have celiac disease (this product contains wheat gluten)
• People who currently have a flare-up of crohn’s disease/inflammatory bowel disease/ulcerative colitis or anyone who needs to eat a low fiber diet
• People with renal disease or those on a low potassium or protein controlled diet (although this product could fit into their diet plan–speak with your registered dietitian before trying this product.)

Taste Review of Healthy Hemp™ Bread

Stacie’s Review: This bread sounds great on paper! I looked at the bread, at the nutrition profile, and thought, “Great! I can get my fiber, protein, and omega-3’s in one serving!”. I popped it in the toaster, smelled the great aroma (smelled like traditional bread cooking), and once it came out of the toaster, put trans-fat free margarine on it. However, the taste was not what I was expecting. It tasted “sprouty” and “sour”. I am sorry to the company, but I did not like it!

Mike’s Review: Ok, I have mixed feelings on this bread. First, I’m not used to such “organic” breads, so it’s a bit of a jump from my normal wheat or white breads to such a fibrous, dense bread. Like Stacie, I did notice a bitter, almost fishy aftertaste, especially when toasted, but I decided to follow up with French Meadow themselves on this issue. They were very receptive to my opinions and offered suggestions like trying the bread with peanut butter (which I did). The bread was better with PB than without, but it still didn’t mask the somewhat bitter aftertaste.

Overall opinions

Stacie: I am concerned about some of the claims made on their products. For instance, the claim that “yeast free for improved digestibility and good nutrient absorption” makes it sound like yeast itself impairs digestibility and nutrient absorption, which I do not know to be true. (Remember to do your research when you read a claim and see if it’s scientifically sound.) The fact that it contains hemp concerned me at first (everyone I talked with had the same initial reaction to the “hemp”–”will I get high if I try it? Can I eat if if I may need a random drug test at work?”), but after doing some research, hemp flour is not the same as the traditional “hemp”.

However, if you are trying to eat healthfully and want a great bread that will keep you satisfied until your next meal, this bread might be for you. High in fiber, protein, and omega-3 fatty acids, it can be part of a healthy diet, as long as you like the taste.

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