Here is the link to article and take notes for your next visit!
http://www.everydayhealth.com/pictures/nutritionists-reveal-panera-bread-orders/?xid=aol_eh-news_3_20150406_&aolcat=HLT#10 View All
Scott Eells/Bloomberg via Getty Images Make the Healthy Choice
Panera Bread is a popular destination because it’s quick and provides lots of tasty and seemingly healthy options. While there are a lot of lean meats, whole grains, and veggies on the menu, it definitely takes a bit of skill to uncover the healthiest dishes that won't break the calorie (and sodium!) bank. We quizzed nine nutritionists on what they order at Panera Bread — take notes for your next visit!
Photo Courtesy of Panera Bread Classic with Chicken Salad
“One of my biggest gripes about these types of restaurants is the sodium in the dishes,” says Bonnie Taub-Dix, MA, RDN, CDN, Everyday Health Columnist. “The Classic with Chicken Salad is a decent pick because the calories are low (300), the fat is reasonable (13 grams), the protein is good (27 grams), and the sodium is a decent number (310 milligrams), unlike some of their other salads clocking in at over 1000 milligrams of sodium per serving!”
Photo Courtesy of Panera Bread Half Greek Salad with Black Bean Soup
One of Panera Bread’s selling points is the “You Pick Two” combo, where you can choose two of the following: cup of soup, half sandwich, half salad, or one flatbread. Robyn Coale, RD and author of The Real Life RD blog, went for a “You Pick Two” option for her order.“The Greek Salad is full of fresh vegetables instead of lots of meat and cheese. You’ll get more fiber and antioxidants! I would order the dressing on the side so I could control how much I use,” says Coale. “I’d pair the salad with the Black Bean Soup since it’s full of fiber and phytochemical-rich, plant-based protein – which is great for preventing chronic disease and keeping you full! Plus, by choosing a vegetarian soup, you’ll avoid the unnecessary saturated fats that come with meat or cream-based soups.”
Photo Courtesy of Panera Bread Power Chicken Hummus Bowl
“Whenever I am ordering from a restaurant menu, my strategy is to look for a meal with the most whole food ingredients along with portion sizes that most closely mimic a ‘balanced plate’,” reveals Alicia Anskis, MS, RD, LDN, and nutritionist at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. “This means that ¼ of the plate contains lean protein, paired with ¼ starch, and the rest should be low-calorie, nutrient-rich vegetables and fruit.”“At Panera Bread, the Power Chicken Hummus Bowl fits this model. It’s low in saturated fat and has less sodium than most of the other items,” continues Anskis. “It is full of veggies like spinach, tomatoes, and cucumber which are rich in fiber, potassium, vitamins A and C, and health-protective phytonutrients like flavonoids and carotenoids, which provide anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer benefits. Plus, the fresh cilantro and lemon add extra flavor without extra calories!”-
Photo Courtesy of Panera Bread
Fuji Apple Chicken Salad
“My favorite thing on the Panera Bread menu is the Fuji Apple Chicken Salad,” says Katherine Younger, RD and author of the blog, Kath Eats Real Food. “It has a great sweet and savory combo. The chicken provides protein, while the pecans act as a healthy fat. The apples and lettuce will give you a good dose of fiber. Just go easy on the dressing!” 
Photo Courtesy of Panera Bread Half Sierra Turkey Sandwich and Garden Vegetable Soup
“I love that it's easy to see the menu’s nutrition facts at Panera Bread,” says Jenna Braddock, MSH, RD, CSSD, and author of the blog, Make Healthy Easy. “It makes it easy to be flexible and choose the best option. I also appreciate that you can choose a half order of a sandwich. My favorite sandwich is the Sierra Turkey, but at 740 calories, that's rarely going to work for me. However, a half size of the sandwich is only 340 calories, and I can pair it with the Garden Vegetable Soup with Pesto at 140 calories and be right under 500 calories — a filling lunch.”
No comments:
Post a Comment