Panera Bread
Flavor:
Asian Sesame Salad with Chicken
Ingredients:
Romaine Lettuce, Fully Cooked Seasoned Chicken (Chicken Breast Meat With Rib Meat, Water, Rice Starch, Vinegar, Seasoning [Salt, Rice Starch, Potato Starch, Dextrose And Natural Flavor], Sea Salt, Dextrose, Garlic Powder, And Black Pepper), Asian Sesame Vinaigrette Dressing (Water, Distilled Vinegar, Soybean Oil, Sugar, Sesame Oil, Salt, Xanthan Gum, Rebaudioside A [A Non-Nutritive Sweetener From Stevia], Rosemary Extract, Black Pepper, Dehydrated Onion, Dehydrated Parsley), Crispy Wonton Strips (Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Canola Oil, Salt), Toasted Almonds, Sesame Seeds, Cilantro
Rating: We Avoid
- 1 out of 5
Ingredient Score:
Rated at 1/5 green leaves, the Panera Bread Asian Sesame Salad with Chicken falls short of the mark for those seeking clean eating options. This assessment is grounded in the product’s use of several ingredients that raise concerns for health-conscious consumers.
The salad is not organic, which is a significant drawback for those prioritizing organic produce. Additionally, it contains genetically modified organisms (GMOs), which some individuals opt to avoid due to environmental and health considerations. The presence of added sugars is another negative aspect of this product, with both sugar and stevia contributing to the sweet taste. Dextrose, a form of sugar that is often derived from corn, is particularly flagged for being a more harmful added sugar.
Beyond sugars, the dressing and toppings include ingredients that some may find questionable. Natural flavors, which are often a blend of undisclosed chemical components, contribute to the dressing’s taste profile. The enriched flour used in the wonton strips also detracts from the salad’s healthfulness, as it indicates processing that often strips away natural nutrients. Xanthan gum, a common thickener, adds to the list of potentially harmful additives.
The oils used in the salad’s preparation also contribute to the low score. Sesame oil, canola oil, and soybean oil are included in the dressing, and while these are common in commercial salad dressings, they are not aligned with the cleanest eating practices, particularly when not sourced from non-GMO, organic origins.
The Panera Bread Asian Sesame Salad with Chicken, with its 1/5 green leaves rating, is not recommended for those seeking the healthiest food options. The product contains several ingredients that are at odds with a clean food philosophy, including non-organic produce, GMOs, added sugars, harmful additives, and oils that do not meet the highest standards for health. Those in pursuit of cleaner eating would be well-advised to consider alternative options that adhere more closely to the principles of organic and non-GMO ingredients, without added sugars and potentially harmful additives.
Certifications:
None
Product formulations and certifications may change. For current nutrition facts and ingredient
line information, check product packaging.
Categories:
None
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