Home ยป Ezekiel bread, nut butters, and a new friend :)

Ezekiel bread, nut butters, and a new friend :)

Whether you’re a nutrition guru, vegetarian, vegan, diabetic, or lover of complex carbohydrates, you’ve likely heard of Ezekiel breads and grain products made by the Food for Life Baking Company. And what makes these products so healthful? Plenty!

Admittedly, I am late jumping on the Ezekiel bandwagon – I just tried my first Ezekiel product yesterday morning. I had a slice of Ezekiel 4:9 bread, toasted with almond butter (Bonus point! Keep reading!). As someone who rises each morning in plenty of time to wake the sun (ugh), and little time for morning snacks, I am always on the prowl for a filling, quick, and easy breakfast. I must say, I was satisfied from 6am to 10:30am on my slice of Ezekiel toast. Success!

What makes this bread unique is not only its biblical reference (see Bible reference quotes below), but its nutrition stats. Ezekiel bread is made from 6 sprouted whole grain products including wheat, barley, beans, lentils, millet, and spelt, creating a complete protein. In order for a protein to be “complete,” it must contain adequate amounts of the 9 essential amino acids to meet dietary needs. This is especially important for vegetarians and vegans as most complete proteins come from animal sources.

The Ezekiel 4:9 bread contains 80 calories, 1 gram of fat, no cholesterol, 80 milligrams of sodium, 75 milligrams of potassium, 14 grams of carbohydrate, 3 grams of fiber, and 4 grams of protein per slice.

The Genesis products are made from sprouted grain and exotic seeds from around the world including teff, black quinoa, barley, brown rice, spelt, amaranth, flax, rye, millet, sesame seeds, soy, chia, pumpkin seeds, spring wheat, unprocessed bran, and sunflower seeds. I’m definitely trying a Genesis product next!

Biblical excerpts:

Ezekiel 4:9. “Take also unto thee Wheat, and Barley, and beans, and lentils, and millet, and Spelt, and put them in one vessel, and make bread of it…”

Genesis 1:29. “And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.”

Ezekiel products are NOT considered gluten-free or raw.

Gina of Simply Life commented on my Q&A post from last week, wanting to know how peanut butter and almond butter compared to other nut butters like cashew butter. Wonderful question! But difficult information to find! I did my best…

Nut/Seed Butter (per Tbsp) Calories Total Fat Sat. Fat Mono. Fats Poly Fats Sodium Carbohydrate Fiber Protein
peanut 95 8 1.25 3.8 2.3 40 4 1 4
almond 95 9 0.5 6.5 1.5 0 3 2 4
cashew 95 8 1.6 4.7 1.3 3 6 1 3
pecan 98 10 1 6.5 2.5 0 2 2 2
walnut 100 10 0 3.3 6.7 0 2 1 3
hazelnut 90 8 0.5 ? ? 0 3 2 3
pistachio 95 9 0.75 3.3 5 0 4 2 4
sunflower seed 100 8 1 4 3 60 4 2 4

Given this information and taking into account healthy fats (mono and polyunsaturated fatty acids) and bad fats (saturated) I would rank the top 3 most “nutritional” nut butters as:

  1. Almond butter
  2. Pecan butter
  3. Peanut butter (and cashew coming in at a near tie for 3rd!)

Tonight I met up with a dietetics student in my community, Mandy. She found my blog in a Google search and we’ve exchanged emails over the past week or so. It was fun to meet someone interested in nutrition, and she is incredibly sweet!

 

Question: Have you met a blogger or blog-reader of yours in real life?

 

Random question: How’s the weather near you? It’s supposed to get UGLY in Tulsa come Thursday – they’re talking power outages and everything. Eep!

Nearly Hump Day! Thanks for reading!

Share With Your Friends!

50 Comments

  1. Heather
    January 26, 2010 / 8:56 pm

    I love the Ezekiel breads! The english muffins are delicious!

    I will pass along your nut butter info to my husband – he is a peanut butter fan only and I’m trying to get him to try other things. Thanks for the great info!

  2. Sarah
    January 26, 2010 / 9:22 pm

    I get to finally meet the NYC bloggers this weekend. I am so excited:)

  3. Andrea@WellnessNotes
    January 26, 2010 / 10:04 pm

    Thanks for the nut butter info. I can’t eat peanut butter, but I love almond butter! ๐Ÿ™‚

    I haven’t met any bloggers in real life yet, but I will very, very soon…. ๐Ÿ™‚

  4. Morgan @ Healthy Happy Place
    January 26, 2010 / 10:10 pm

    I’ve read a lot about Ezekiel breads, but haven’t tried them yet. I think I’m a little turned off by the $5 price tag for a loaf of bread. Maybe I’ll try it, but I don’t think it will be a regular every week purchase. I wish it were less expensive!

    I haven’t had a blogger meet up in chicago, but I’d love to! If you are ever back in town let me know! ๐Ÿ™‚

    • CC
      February 26, 2013 / 1:59 pm

      Try Walmart for good prices on Ezekiel bread!

  5. Mari
    January 26, 2010 / 10:12 pm

    I have heard of Ezekiel bread but have not tried it yet.

    I have met a few bloggers and so far they have all been good experiences =) I made some great friends through blogging =)

  6. Barbara Bakes
    January 26, 2010 / 11:09 pm

    I’ve never heard of Ezekiel bread before. I’m going to have to look for it. There is a great group of food bloggers near where I live and we have gotten together several times. It’s so wonderful!

  7. Natasha - 5 Star Foodie
    January 26, 2010 / 11:39 pm

    Ezekiel bread sounds excellent, I would love to try it!

  8. Alyson
    January 26, 2010 / 11:52 pm

    Definitely try their tortillas (esp corn) and pita bread.. healthy yum!

  9. Stef @ moretolifethanlettuce
    January 27, 2010 / 12:25 am

    i love ezekiel products, they’re great! loving the side by side analysis you have goin on! have fun meeting up with your new friend, she’s lucky to have a mentor like you!

  10. Molly
    January 27, 2010 / 4:47 am

    Just want to say thanks for your sensible site. I get really disheartened by ‘internet experts’ giving silly diet advice to people (I’m a doctor and spend lots of time trying to undo the damage done by such folk), so your informed, interested and realistic words of wisdom are a real breath of fresh air! Keep up the good work – I’m really glad I stumbled upon your site ๐Ÿ™‚

    • Nicole
      Author
      January 27, 2010 / 6:33 am

      Molly: That means a lot to me, I really appreciate it! I’m glad you stumbled upon my blog, and hope you stop by in the future! Please feel free to chime in any time! Have a wonderful day!

  11. Shannon
    January 27, 2010 / 5:54 am

    The sprouted breads sound so good. Unfortunately, barley and rye are out on a gluten-free diet. The gluten free breads don’t look as tempting.

    I’ve met a couple of bloggers now and its fun to meet someone for the first time who you feel like you already know!

  12. Melinda
    January 27, 2010 / 6:00 am

    Thanks for all the info. Wish I could get some of the bread here, but no luck. Also, I get my almond butter sent from the states since we don’t have that either. And I have never met up with a blogger, but I hope next time I get to the states I will be able to.

  13. Katie @ Health for the Whole Self
    January 27, 2010 / 6:20 am

    Thanks for the great information! Could you explain a bit more about the idea of a “complete protein”? Do our bodies process complete proteins differently/better? Or does it just mean that all of the needed amino acids are present in one single food?

    • Nicole
      Author
      January 27, 2010 / 6:39 am

      Katie: The 9 essential amino acids must come from food (typically animal products) — they are not synthesized by the body. All 9 are essential to proper health and nutrition. Those who do not consume meat and animal products must combine various food items which together contain all 9 essential amino acids, and are then considered “complete” (i.e. rice and beans = a complete protein many times). Hope that makes sense! Great question!

  14. The Candid RD
    January 27, 2010 / 7:08 am

    Great review. I need to find some of that bread that is gluten free. I just can’t believe how hard it is to find! I may have to resort to their website.

    Yes, the weather here is ugly, very ugly. It’s almost depressing! They keep talking about it on the news, it’s crazy. The sun was out the other day for about 3 hours and I was like YES! I took advantage ๐Ÿ™‚

  15. inmytummy
    January 27, 2010 / 7:30 am

    I have met 5 other bloggers! We all went to dinner in November. It was really fun.

  16. Anna
    January 27, 2010 / 7:48 am

    I LOVE Ezekial bread– actually, I love ALL their products! Their sesame buns are really good!

  17. Estela @ Weekly Bite
    January 27, 2010 / 7:57 am

    I love ezekial products! Great review! And great info on the nut butters! I’ve tried to get into almond butter and other nut butters, but i just can’t. I’m a PB gal at heart!

    I have met blog readers in real life. Its so fun to put a face to the name. We can talk for hours and hours! So much fun!

  18. Lauren @ Eater not a runner
    January 27, 2010 / 8:10 am

    I still haven’t tried the Ezekiel breads…but I want to!

  19. Kasey
    January 27, 2010 / 8:13 am

    Great review! I haven’t tried ezekiel bread yet; it seems a bit hard to find.

  20. Food-Fitness-FreshAir
    January 27, 2010 / 8:35 am

    I’m a huge fan of Ezekiel bread. I almost always have some in my freezer. I’ve never noticed the biblical references on the package. These are super cute. Pecan butter sounds amazing!! I actually just saw brazil nut butter at my store…I’m curious to see what that tastes like, but wonder how long it’s been sitting there!

  21. suzicate
    January 27, 2010 / 9:08 am

    I’ve never heard of Ezekiel bread, will have to check it out.

  22. Jill
    January 27, 2010 / 9:26 am

    Hi Nicole,

    I found you via Diane at Fit to the Finish and I’m so glad I did! I’m in the Tulsa area as well and I am NOT looking forward to the impending ice storm. I just hope the electricity holds!

    I have a question – how does regular peanut butter stand up to natural peanut butter? And would that be a better option? I would love to try almond butter, but I am really bad about trying new things. Guess I need to broaden my food horizons! ๐Ÿ™‚

    • Nicole
      Author
      January 27, 2010 / 12:52 pm

      Jill: Thanks for stopping by! Where in Tulsa are you? We’re in Owasso! Hoping for an admin day at work on Friday! One can hope, right? :O )

      Regular peanut butters contain hydrogenated oil or partially hydrogenated oil (helps keep the peanuts and oil from separating). Unfortunately, anything containing hydrogenated oil or partially hydrogenated oil contains trans fat (the really bad kind the raises bad cholesterol AND lowers good cholesterol — the same fat that pops up in deep-fat frying). Going with an all-natural product will remove that trans fat, giving you a much more heart-healthy product. Hope this helps, great question!

  23. Anne Marie@New Weigh of Life
    January 27, 2010 / 10:36 am

    The weather is nuts! One day it was 60 and raining and today it’s freezing and in the 30s!

  24. Heather @ Get Healthy With Heather
    January 27, 2010 / 10:43 am

    Ezekiel bread sounds like it’s filled with AMAZING ingredients! Haven’t met any follow bloggers and blog readers yet… maybe some day soon!

    Weather here in Washington was nasty last night. The sky was dark and rain was coming down. This morning during my run it was just cold but dry. LOVE not having to run in the rain.

  25. Swanky Dietitian
    January 27, 2010 / 11:06 am

    Honestly, I have never tried Ezekiel bread before. I’m glad that you talked about, I might go pick up a loaf next time I go to the store.
    Although I know almond butter is one of the best, I was not the biggest fan. Maybe I should give it another shot.
    We have dietetic students can shadow us at work. I always get excited having them.

  26. Melinda
    January 27, 2010 / 11:09 am

    So get this…after I commented this morning I was at the commissary and just thought I would check it out. All of our bread is frozen here since it goes from Germany to the states to us by boat, very silly but it does. So it is frozen. Um sure enough, in the most difficult place to see, literally behind the metal bar that is between the two freezer cases, was ezekial bread and two other food for life GF breads. I was actually really impressed and glad I checked. I take back my previous comment!

    • Nicole
      Author
      January 27, 2010 / 12:52 pm

      That’s awesome! Let me know how you like it!

  27. thebalancebroad
    January 27, 2010 / 11:22 am

    I’m so glad you posted about the peanut butter/almond butter stats! I usually buy Smart Balance PB because I carry it with me to/from work and like it because it doesn’t have to be refrigerated. HowEVER, I didn’t notice until today that it has 3 grams of saturated fat per serving (gulp). Looks like I’ll be stocking up at TJ’s this weekend on almond butter. ๐Ÿ™‚ Thanks for the information!

    I’ve never met a blogger before. ๐Ÿ™ I hope to soon! Alas, there are not many Indiana bloggers.

    The weather here = cold, cold, cold. But on Sunday I had my windows rolled down in my car! Such is the Midwest, I suppose.

  28. Holly
    January 27, 2010 / 12:49 pm

    My best friend has a yeast intolerance and used to buy Ezekiel bread, but it was getting too expensive. She found a recipe online and used a breadmaker to make her own version of Ezekiel, but also uses a lot of yeast-free wraps. Yeast intolerance might be an interesting blog post one day! I know it’s not very well known.

  29. Tasha - The Clean Eating Mama
    January 27, 2010 / 1:05 pm

    I am such a fan of sprouted breads – especially Ezekiel Bread!

  30. whydeprive
    January 27, 2010 / 2:01 pm

    haha the weather here is great today. But its supposed to rain all weekend if that helps.
    Im SO glad you posted this. Ive been wanting to try this bread for SO long!!
    Also – Ive never met anyone through the blog world – but I did meet my best friend in the world through an ED support forum years and years ago.

  31. Diane Fit to the Finish
    January 27, 2010 / 2:20 pm

    Ezekiel breads are amazing! They are expensive though. My friends who grind their own wheat have some amazing recipes for Ezekiel bread that fill you up with just one small piece!

  32. Paul
    January 27, 2010 / 2:28 pm

    Tried it before and it’s trippy because I had to go look for it once for a customer and couldn’t find it, only to realize that it was frozen the whole time.

  33. Chrysta
    January 27, 2010 / 3:18 pm

    i absolutely LOVE Ezekiel breads. I dont eat alot of bready foods but when I do this is my go to. Love the taste of it. Thanks for the nut butter info. I actually just prefer the taste of almond butter so good to know that its also good for you!

    Weather here is mucho better. It was rainy and cold the past few days. Apparently the weather out here made the news everywhere. ha! But now its sunny and 70 again so its back to being nice.

    I havent met any bloggies yet, but would love to. Its just nice to meet up with people that have similar interests I think. But Ive had the chance to “meet” some really amazing people through my site. Thats my favorite thing about it.
    Have a great day!

  34. biz319
    January 27, 2010 / 4:23 pm

    I had the hardest time finding that bread, until I realized that it is in the freezer section! Thanks for the stats on the butter too – I love TJ’s almond butter with sea salt ๐Ÿ˜€

    Our weather is shitty – plain and simple. I hate this time of year – tomorrow’s high is in the teens, with windchills below zero.

    I miss my grill. ๐Ÿ™

  35. homecookedem
    January 27, 2010 / 4:35 pm

    Thanks for all the interesting info!! Very cool to hear that pecan butter is so good for us. I want to try making it sometime soon.

    I went to an Atlanta blogger meet up back at the beginning of November and it was sooooooo cool meeting such like-minded, healthy, unique, and sweet girls !!

  36. Karla
    January 27, 2010 / 4:37 pm

    The weather here (Upstate NY) has been weird. Monday it was 50degrees and rainy, yesterday there was a high of 35degrees, today the high is 30degrees (it was pretty darn cold, I would say mid 20s most of the day)… tomorrow… oh dear… High of 18F…. NOT EXCITED…

    Speaking of nut butters…I almost broke down and bought some Barney Butter online since it’s not sold in stores around here… Shipping costs more than the jar of nut butter!!! Isn’t that nuts!?!?!? Needless to say I didn’t get it and I’m almond butter -less. Sad day!

  37. Balance for MEre
    January 27, 2010 / 7:05 pm

    Thanks for the info about nut butters. I also like the Bible verses.

  38. Faith
    January 27, 2010 / 7:07 pm

    I’ve actually never had Ezekiel bread before, but I’ve heard so many good things. I’ll definitely have to pick up a loaf and give it a try! Oooh, pecan butter sounds so good…I might actually try to make that! ๐Ÿ˜‰ I’ve never had a blogger meet-up but I think it would be so much fun! And yay, I’m so glad you liked the turkey bolognese!!! ๐Ÿ™‚

  39. marla {Family Fresh Cooking}
    January 27, 2010 / 7:57 pm

    Ezekiel everything in our house! Love their tortillas, english muffins and of course breads. All taste best toasted. Did you ever see my post for my Stuffed French Toast?? One of my all time favorites using this bread.

    • Nicole
      Author
      January 27, 2010 / 8:07 pm

      Yum! I am going to look up that recipe now!

  40. Mandy Gross
    January 28, 2010 / 6:48 pm

    I think you are super sweet as well! I’m looking forward to working more with you and just hanging out! We have a lot in common I think! ๐Ÿ™‚

  41. Tina
    January 31, 2010 / 5:10 pm

    I would go to Barcelona. I LOVED it there! I also loved Cinque Terre in Italy too. Ahhhh, Europe. I’m reminiscing by looking at your pics. What an awesome time that must have been ๐Ÿ™‚

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