Your gym buddy has been raving about the club’s new strength class being “the best thing since sliced bread.” The comparison is confusing! With the mixed reviews mass produced loaves have been getting in the world of nutrition you have no idea whether the class is “the” bomb or “a” bomb. Should you head into the group ex-studio or avoid the class like Atkins diet fans shunned the dinner rolls that came with their steaks?

Here’s the deal. Try the class. And don’t fear sliced bread! The best course of action in most health related scenarios is moderation, variation and being a discriminating consumer. Store bought bread can be a convenient, affordable, flexible food you can incorporate into a nutritious diet if you do your homework and purchase wisely.

It’s true certain bread brands that rely on refined wheat, added sugars, sweeteners, dough conditioners and preservatives to appeal to wallets and survive long shelf lives provide empty calories and expose you to unnecessary chemicals. However, there are health conscious companies that produce bread based on whole grains with minimal fats, dough conditioners, preservatives and artificial ingredients. This bread is often higher in fiber and other nutrients than other store bought brands.

You May Also Like: How to Properly Fuel Your Active Lifestyle

Bread made with whole grains or soaked and sprouted grains can be an important source of fiber, which promotes bowel function. Eating whole grain bread might make you less prone to high cholesterol, diabetes, and certain cancers. In addition, bread made with whole grains are better sources of minerals that act as antioxidants like selenium and manganese. Those minerals help keep the damage done to cells by free radicals at bay. In addition, some bread have higher levels of folate, Niacin and Vitamin B than others. Read the labels.

Want a slice of some of something nice? Here are some of the best sliced bread options commonly found on grocery store shelves today according to Eat This, Not That:

1) Ezekiel 4:9

Ezekiel 4:9 Low Sodium Sprouted Whole Grain Bread is tops for nutrition. Ezekiel 4:9 Sesame Sprouted Whole Grain Bread gets high marks too.

2) Arnold’s Whole Grain Bread

Also on the list are a couple of Arnold’s Whole grain bread including 100% Whole Wheat and Whole Grain Double Protein.

3) Nature’s Own

Another common brand on the Eat This list is Nature’s Own. The Double Fiber Wheat loaf hits the mark for a solid nutritious choice.

4) Nature’s Harvest Stone Ground

100% Whole Wheat is also a winner on the list.

Depending on where you live, there are many other good sliced bread out there- some with very memorable names- to consider, including Dave’s Killer Bread, Eureka Seeds the Day, Vermont Bread Company Yoga Bread and Shiloh Farms Sprouted 7 Grain Bread.

Take your toast to the next level and your sandwich to soaring heights. As you read the labels for nutrition information, read the price tag too. Sliced bread can be a convenient, affordable and healthy staple in your home.