Panera Bread
Flavor:
Broccoli Cheddar Mac & Cheese
Ingredients:
Broccoli Cheddar Mac & Cheese (Water, Cooked Macaroni Product (Water, Semolina Wheat, Egg White Powder), Broccoli, Cheddar Cheese (Milk, Bacterial Cultures, Salt, Microbial Enzymes), Cream, Soybean Oil, Concentrated Skim Milk, Carrots, Butter (Cream, Salt), Whey, Salt, Whey Protein Concentrate, Skim Milk, Milkfat, Modified Cornstarch, Milk Protein Concentrate, Dried Cream, Sodium Citrate, Lactic Acid, Tomato Paste, Flavors, Sugar, Guar Gum, Vegetable Juice Concentrate (Color), Celery Juice Concentrate, Onion Powder, Xanthan Gum, Turmeric (Color), Citric Acid, Dijon Mustard (Vinegar, Water, Mustard Seed, Salt, White Wine, Citric Acid, Tartaric Acid, Spices), Spices, Red Pepper Sauce (Vinegar, Red Peppers, Salt), Sodium Alginate, Enzymes)
Rating: We Avoid
- 1 out of 5
Ingredient Score:
Awarding the Panera Bread Broccoli Cheddar Mac & Cheese a rating of 1/5 green leaves reflects its standing at the bottom of our healthier food options list. This dish falls short of our clean eating standards for several reasons, primarily its lack of organic ingredients and the inclusion of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Furthermore, the presence of added sugars and several potentially harmful additives raises concerns about the product’s nutritional integrity.
The ingredients list reveals that this mac and cheese is not made with organic produce, leading to an initial deduction in its score. The use of non-GMO ingredients is another crucial factor in our assessment, and this product does not meet that criterion either. Added sugars, which are undesirable in a cleaner diet, are found in the form of sugar and citric acid. The product also contains a number of additives such as flavor, xanthan gum, and sodium citrate, which can be unnecessary in a health-focused diet and contribute to the low score.
A significant score reduction is due to the inclusion of soybean oil, categorized as a harmful oil in our evaluation criteria. This ingredient is often processed and can contain trans fats, which are linked to various health issues.
The Panera Bread Broccoli Cheddar Mac & Cheese is rated poorly on our scale due to these factors. It is recommended that consumers seeking cleaner, more wholesome food options consider alternative products that adhere to organic practices, avoid GMOs, minimize added sugars, and eliminate harmful additives and oils. Our assessment aims to navigate through the multitude of food options available and spotlight those that align with a healthier lifestyle, and unfortunately, this product does not meet those standards.
Certifications:
None
Product formulations and certifications may change. For current nutrition facts and ingredient
line information, check product packaging.
Categories:
None
Alternatives
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How We Rate
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for society, and for our ecosystem