As a Panera associate, I understand the implications of eating too many meals at Bread Co.
We call it “Bread Co Belly”.
Although the ingredients are fresh and healthy, the food is loaded with calories. Broccoli cheddar, the most popular soup by far, is 290 calories. Add a breadbowl? 880.
Cinnamon crunch bagels are 430 calories; a Cafe Latte is 120. A Fuji Apple Chicken Salad is 450.
While there’s no getting around the calorie count-and we all enjoy a little indulgence-here are some tips and tricks for eating healthy at Panera bread:
- Calculate your calories. http://www.paneranutrition.com/NutritionCalculator.aspx provides an easy nutrition calculator. Simply search for your meal, add drinks and sides, and the stats (fat, calories, carbs, etc) are calculated at the bottom of the page.
- Skim it! Lattes are usually made with 2% milk, which contains more fat than skim. When you order any espresso drink (this includes caffe latte, cappuccino, cafe mocha, and caramel latte) ask the cashier to make it skim. For mochas and caramels, also ask for no whipped cream.
- Get baked chips. Most people order the french baguette as their side. This is 180 calories. Baked chips, however, are only 130. Ask the cashier for baked Lays (trust me, they grow on you) and save the 50 calories.
- Take it or leave it. If you have a free pastry or sweet on your MyPanera card, don’t feel obligated to eat it on the spot. Rewards on the card are good for six weeks after you receive them. If you do cave in but feel yourself getting full, talk to the cahsier. They’ll give you a small paper bag to take that double-fudge brownie home.
- Spread the love. All flavored cream cheese spreads are low fat, but the regular plain cream cheese is not. If you want plain cream cheese, get the reduced fat. Trust me, it tastes the same.
