Panera Bread
Flavor:
Mediterranean Bowl with Chicken
Ingredients:
Brown Rice & Quinoa Blend (Cooked Rice Quinoa Blend (Water, Long Grain Brown Rice, White Quinoa, Red Quinoa, Sea Salt), Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Cilantro), Tomatoes, Hummus (Cooked Chickpeas (Chickpeas, Water), Tahini Paste (Sesame Seeds), Canola Oil, Garlic, Sea Salt, Citric Acid, Cumin, Xanthan Gum), 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), Cucumber, Arugula, Lemon Tahini Dressing (Water, Sesame Paste, Soybean Oil, Lemon Juice, Cucumber Juice, White Wine Vinegar, Salt, Distilled Vinegar, Garlic, Black Pepper, Xanthan Gum, Natural Lemon Oil Flavor), Whole Milk Plain Greek Yogurt (Cultured Pasteurized Non-Fat Milk, Cream, Contains Live Active Cultures S. Thermophilus, L. Bulgaricus, L. Acidophilus, Bifidus, L. Casei, L. Paracasei, L. Rhamnosus), Feta Cheese (Cultured Pasteurized Part-Skim Milk And Milk, Salt, Cheese Cultures, Microbial & Animal Enzymes, Potato Starch And Powdered Cellulose To Prevent Caking, Natamycin [Mold Inhibitor]), Baby Pitted Kalamata Olives (Kalamata Olive, Water, Red Wine Vinegar, Sea Salt, Concentrated Grape Juice, Spices [Hops, Sage, Chamomile, Coriander, Anise, And Thyme])
Rating: We Avoid
- 1 out of 5
Ingredient Score:
Green Leaf Rating: 1/5
The Panera Bread Mediterranean Bowl with Chicken receives a 1/5 green leaf rating, indicating it falls short of the cleaner food options we aim to endorse. This product is not organic and includes genetically modified (GMO) ingredients, which significantly lowers its score. The presence of added sugars, such as citric acid and dextrose, further detracts from its overall healthfulness. The inclusion of potentially harmful additives like natural flavors and xanthan gum, along with the use of canola and soybean oils that are considered harmful, contribute to the low rating.
The ingredients list reveals a blend of brown rice and quinoa with extra virgin olive oil and cilantro, which serves as the base of the bowl. Tomatoes, hummus, and seasoned chicken add to the protein and flavor content. However, the health benefits of these ingredients are overshadowed by the presence of additives and non-organic elements. The product also features cucumber, arugula, and a lemon tahini dressing, which could be seen as healthful components, yet these are not enough to offset the negative aspects.
Included in the bowl are Greek yogurt and feta cheese, providing a dairy component, and kalamata olives, which are known for their healthy fats. However, the use of potato starch and powdered cellulose in the cheese, and the addition of concentrated grape juice in the olives, are points of concern. These ingredients often serve as fillers or sweeteners and do not align with the cleaner eating standards set forth by our rating system.
The Panera Bread Mediterranean Bowl with Chicken is not recommended based on our stringent health criteria. While it contains elements that could be part of a balanced diet, the presence of GMOs, added sugars, harmful oils, and additives overshadow the potential benefits. Consumers seeking cleaner, healthier food options should consider other products that align more closely with the high standards of our green leaf rating system.
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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