Costco is a retail landmark where you can discover a wide range of grocery items, including some truly unusual ones (how about a 72-pound wheel of cheese?). However, some of these foodie selections might be healthier than others. For instance, a calorie-heavy and sodium-rich Costco chicken bake might seem like a convenient lunch option, but it might not align with a heart-healthy lifestyle. (Check out more of the unhealthiest foods you can order at a Costco food court.)
And what about that large crusty Costco sourdough loaf? Surely, it offers more nutritional benefits than a hefty 710-calorie slice of Costco’s food court pizza. Whether or not you should consider Costco sourdough healthy depends on your dietary goals, fitness aspirations, and any food sensitivities or allergies you might have.
Let’s explore what might be deemed “good” about this bread. To start, Costco sourdough is crafted using a sourdough starter. This is a significant advantage, as many commercial breads labeled as sourdough merely use yeast and sour flavoring to mimic the sourdough taste without waiting for a traditional sourdough rise. (Full disclosure: Less than 2% of both yeast and yeast extract are present as ingredients, but sourdough starter is listed toward the top.)
Thumbs up for old-fashioned fermentation benefits
With a genuine sourdough starter, you can benefit from the fermentation process. Fermented bread, for example, has a less pronounced effect on blood sugar levels compared to yeast-based breads, according to a 2024 review in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition. This makes it a low glycemic index (GI) food, which is crucial if you’re watching your sugar intake. (For reference, the GI for wheat sourdough is 54, indicating it’s less likely to cause a sugar spike.)
Sourdough also contains less gluten than many other types of bread due to the fermentation process. This might make it suitable for those who can handle limited gluten. Another advantage of Costco sourdough bread is its surprisingly high protein content. Each serving has 5 grams of protein, which can help you avoid feeling hungry too soon. Interestingly, foods with a lower GI are also linked to increased satiety. Therefore, eating sourdough bread might help you avoid overeating.
Thumbs down for low fiber and potential allergens
Of course, Costco sourdough has its drawbacks, starting with the flour used in its production. Although Costco sourdough uses enriched wheat flour, it’s not among the healthiest flours for baking. Enriched flour means some vitamins and minerals removed during processing are added back in. That’s nice, but what about the fiber that was taken out? Unfortunately, it’s mostly gone, with only 0.5 grams per serving, thanks to a bit of rye flour.
Another concern with this Costco favorite is its suitability for those who need to go gluten-free (e.g., due to gastrointestinal discomfort, respiratory issues, or itchy skin). The same applies if you have sensitivities to milk, soy, tree nuts, peanuts, or sesame, as this sourdough could pose a risk of a reaction due to cross-contamination, according to its allergen warning.
In conclusion, Costco sourdough bread isn’t perfect. Nonetheless, it might be the right choice for you if you appreciate its benefits and don’t view its downsides as deal-breakers.
