Panera Bread
Flavor:
Mac & Cheese Bread Bowl
Ingredients:
Sourdough Bread Bowl (Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Malted Barley Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Enzyme [Corn], Folic Acid), Water, Salt, Yeast (Yeast, Sorbitan Monostearate, Ascorbic Acid), Dough Improver (Ascorbic Acid, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Corn Starch), Macaroni And Cheese (Cooked Enriched Macaroni Product [Water, Semolina Wheat, Egg Whites, Egg White Powder, Niacin, Ferrous Sulfate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid], Water, Cheddar Cheese [Pasteurized Milk, Bacterial Cultures, Salt, Microbial Enzymes], Cream, Soybean Oil, Milk, Concentrated Skim Milk, Whey, Skim Milk, Salt, Butter [Cream, Salt], Whey Protein Concentrate, Milk Fat, Sodium Citrate, Cream Powder [Whole Milk, Cream], Milk Protein Concentrate, Dried Cream, Enriched Flour [Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid], Modified Corn Starch, Guar Gum, Xanthan Gum, Lactic Acid, Sodium Alginate, Microbial Enzymes, Calcium Lactate)
Rating: Not Clean
- 2 out of 5
Ingredient Score:
Rated at 2 out of 5 green leaves, the Panera Bread Mac & Cheese Bread Bowl falls significantly short of cleaner food standards. The product is not organic and includes genetically modified ingredients, which immediately diminishes its standing on our scale. Additionally, the presence of additives and the use of soybean oil, which are considered less desirable for health-conscious consumers, further reduce its score.
Starting with the sourdough bread bowl, it is made from enriched flour, which, while common in many bread products, is a refined ingredient that many seek to avoid in pursuit of a cleaner diet. The macaroni and cheese filling includes a variety of ingredients that raise concerns. Among these, soybean oil stands out as a contentious ingredient due to its prevalence in processed foods and potential health implications.
Moreover, the macaroni and cheese component contains a range of additives such as xanthan gum, sodium citrate, and modified corn starch. These additives are often used to enhance texture and stability in processed foods but are viewed unfavorably by those aiming for a more natural diet. The enriched flour reappears here as well, compounded by the presence of whey protein concentrate, milk protein concentrate, and various forms of milk and cream, which contribute to the product’s creamy texture but also add to the list of processed components.
The Panera Bread Mac & Cheese Bread Bowl does not align with the principles of eating clean, due to its non-organic status, GMO ingredients, and the inclusion of additives and soybean oil. Although it may be a popular comfort food item, for those seeking out cleaner, less processed food options, this product does not meet the criteria. It is clear that there is considerable room for improvement in terms of ingredient quality and sourcing to elevate its rating on the healthfulness scale.
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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