I Finally Found a Healthy, Low-Carb Bagel That Actually Tastes Good
As a journalist who primarily writes about diet and fitness, I have become well-versed in the topic of nutrition. While I don't consider myself a total health nut, I try to make thoughtful choices about the food I eat, taking into account various factors. But overall, I have a balanced approach, attempting to follow the 80/20 rule. One of my guilty pleasures? Bagels. I grew up eating a toasted bagel with cream cheese every morning, a habit that I had to retire later in life due to the carb-heavy nature of the item. Recently, Hero Bread sent me a few bags of low-carb, higher-protein bagels to sample. I was skeptical: How good can a low-carb bagel be? So good, I learned.
Hero Everything Bagels Are Packed with Fiber and Protein
I tried the brand's latest launch: Hero Everything Bagels. Each bagel has just 5 grams of carbs, 20 grams of fiber, and a whopping 17 grams of protein – that's almost three times the amount of protein from the average egg.
It Was Light, Fluffy, and Delicious
Since I didn't have any cream cheese in my fridge, I toasted the bagel, then sprinkled shredded cheese on top, and broiled it for a few minutes. It came out perfectly toasted and melty. I was shocked by how delicious the bagel tasted. While not as dense and chewy as my favorite New York City bagels, it has a fluffy and light consistency and very much tastes like a "real" bagel. And the "everything" seasoning, a blend of onion, garlic, poppyseeds, and more, offered a serious boost of flavor.
The Dough Is Made Out of Fava Bean Flour and Plant-Based Ingredients
Like the Classic Plain Bagels, which have 4 grams of carbs, 21 grams of fiber, and 19 grams of protein, the dough is made with a nutrient-rich blend of fava bean flour and other plant-based ingredients.
They are Popular on Social Media
I'm not the only one obsessed with the bagels. Many low-carb eaters and nutritionists, including registered dietitian Diana Francis, have shared information about them on social media. "If you're looking to increase your fiber and protein intake, I highly recommend these," she says in a video review.
Make Sure to Freeze Them
One thing to note: My bags of bagels arrived fresh with an expiration date several months in the future. However, that applies only if you freeze the bagels within seven days after receiving them. So make sure not to skip this step.
Here's Where to Buy Them
You can buy Hero Bread products at a retail store near you (use the brand's store locator to find one) or on the company's website. And if you enjoyed this article, don't miss these 8 High-Protein Foods with Nearly Zero Calories That Melt Fat.
