As a native New Yorker, I have a lot to say about bagels and pizza, and I’m very picky about both. However, I usually associate a regular bagel with empty calories, so, I avoid them. When I began seeing The Better Bagel at my local Whole Foods and on my social media feed, I knew I had to give it a try.
The Better Bagel Takeaways:
- Low-carb, high-protein bagels provide a nutritious alternative to traditional bagels.
- Come in lots of different flavors.
- Available in a gluten-free version.
- Helpful for anyone following a keto diet or looking to lower their carb intake.
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My First Impressions
I chose The Everything Bagel flavor four-pack. One bagel has 170 calories and you’d better believe, I ate the whole thing.
Look & Feel of the Bagel
At first glance, the bagel looks like any other bagel. It has the appearance of a fresh bagel. I wrongly assumed the bagel would be thinner or the size of a mini bagel, but nope, it’s a normal size. And, the everything seasoning covers the surface of the entire bagel.
It feels like a standard bagel too, although a bit lighter in weight. You have to cut the bagel yourself as it’s not pre-sliced, and when you see the two pieces side by side, it looks look any bagel you would buy at your local bagel shop, although if you’re used to multi-grain or whole wheat, this one has the appearance of white flour.
Price
I’m not going to lie, the bagels are expensive. I paid $12.29 for a 4-pack, so that’s more than $3 per bagel. While this is a lot more than a grocery store bagel, if I were to go into a bagel store, it wouldn’t be that much cheaper.
I saved some money when using my Amazon Prime credit card at Whole Foods, which gets me an additional 5% off each purchase. And, if you want to buy in bulk, you can purchase directly from The Better Brand website, which sells in packages of 16, and also has a subscribe and save option.
Taste
I popped the bagel into my toaster and it came out perfectly browned and crispy. It still had the consistency of a bagel, fluffy and spongy, and didn’t taste dry like a slice of toast.
I tried it on its own, with no cream cheese at first, and my taste buds were happy. It was good!
Nutritional Benefits
A traditional bagel cannot compare to the nutritional benefits of this brand:
- Carbohydrates: Significantly reduced, often 90% less than traditional bagels.
- Protein: Substantially increased, with some brands offering 250% more than traditional options.
- Fiber: Often high, aiding in digestion and contributing to a feeling of fullness.
- Sugars: Minimized or eliminated, with many options boasting 0g added sugars.
Carbohydrates
While the Everything bagel has 38g total carbs, it also has 33g of dietary fiber, making it only 5g of net carbs. My go-to bagel store here in the Midwest is Brueggers, and their bagels have a surprising 60g carbohydrates.
To put this in perspective, it says right on the bag that The Better Bagel has he same net carb content of two slices of banana.
Protein Content
This is what really sold me on this brand. As a vegetarian, I’m always on the lookout for interesting ways to increase my protein intake. I was actually surprised to learn that a Bruegger’s Bagel has 12 grams of protein. But The Better Bagel has more than double that amount, coming in at 25g.
The Better Bagel has the equivalent amount of protein of 4 eggs. So, put a couple of eggs on top (12 g protein) and a slice of cheddar cheese on top (7 grams) and you have an amazing 44 grams of protein!
In case you’re wondering most cream cheese has about 2 grams of protein.
Ingredients
The main ingredients are water, wheat protein isolate, modified wheat starch, modified food starch, agave fiber, and in the everything bagel sesame seeds, sea salt, poppy seeds, dehydrated garlic, dehydrated onion, and of course, yeast.
Flavors
Although I haven’t tried them, the bagels come in The Pretzel, The Sesame, The Classic, The Cinnamon, The Jalapeno Cheddar, and The Gluten Free.
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Other Health Benefits
Besides being low in carbohydrates and high in protein, The Better Bagel also is:
- Fiber-Rich: The Better Bagel has 33 grams of fiber. High fiber aids in digestion and can contribute to a feeling of fullness, which may assist in weight management efforts.
- No Added Sugars: Keeping added sugars to a minimum is crucial in reducing the risk of chronic diseases like diabetes. The Better Bagel achieves contains 0 grams of added sugar, the same as a stalk of celery.
- Non-GMO: For those concerned about genetically modified ingredients, this product is non-GMO verified.
- Plant-Based
Where to Buy The Better Bagel?
The only supermarket near me that carries The Better Bagel is Whole Foods, although you can find them in other stores nationwide. For example, in my old town, they sell them at some small specialty grocery stores.
Is it Worth Buying?
The Better Bagel kept me full until early afternoon, and I only had cream cheese on it. I miss my bagels and coffee, especially on the weekends. Yes, it’s spendy but I’ll be keeping this on hand. You can freeze it or store it in the refrigerator.
For more information on The Better Bagel, check out our video on YouTube, and don’t forget to subscribe.
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If you’re looking for an alternative to your regular bread, read this review of Carbonaut.
Michelle Platt is a content creator and certified personal trainer. Proving it’s never too late to reinvent yourself, she’s a former attorney and teacher who loves to do the research so you don’t have to. She takes a deep dive into each topic and writes about her wellness journey here. She loves trying out new workouts, fitness tips, healthy foods, and products to share with you. This native New Yorker recently made the move to the suburbs of Minneapolis, where she lives with her husband, two kids, and two dogs.