Panera Bread
Flavor:
Southwest Caesar 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), Avocado, Caesar Dressing (Soybean Oil, Water, Worcestershire Sauce [Distilled Vinegar, Molasses, Sugar, Water, Salt, Onion, Onion Juice (Onion Juice, Salt), Anchovy, Garlic, Spice, Tamarind Extract, Natural Flavors, Chili Pepper Extract], Egg Yolks, Red Wine Vinegar, Garlic Puree (Garlic, Water), Garlic Juice, Egg Yolk Solids, Salt, Lemon Juice Concentrate, Distilled Vinegar, Sugar, Corn Syrup. Anchovy, Black Pepper, Xanthan Gum, Mustard Seed, Garlic Powder, Rosemary Extract, Green Tea Extract, Citric Acid, Nisin And Natamycin (To Preserve Freshness), Celery Seed), Grated Parmesan (Pasteurized Part Skim Milk, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Microbial Enzymes), Chipotle Aioli (Soybean Oil, Water, Chipotle Pepper Puree [Water, Chipotle Pepper], Egg Yolks, Distilled Vinegar, Salt, Sugar, Lemon Juice Concentrate, Garlic, Paprika, Chipotle Pepper, Xanthan Gum, Mustard Seed, Dehydrated Onion), Blue Corn Tortilla Strips (Blue Corn Masa Flour, Sunflower, Safflower And/Or Canola Oil, Sea Salt), Cilantro
Rating: We Avoid
- 1 out of 5
Ingredient Score:
Rated at 1/5 green leaves, the Panera Bread Southwest Caesar Salad with Chicken presents a notable example of a product that falls short of cleaner food standards. This salad is not organic, contains GMOs, and includes a variety of added sugars and potentially harmful additives, which collectively undermine its nutritional value.
The salad begins with a base of romaine lettuce and is topped with seasoned chicken that features additives such as rice starch and vinegar. The presence of avocado could be a redeeming quality due to its healthy fats, but the salad’s overall healthfulness is compromised by the inclusion of non-organic ingredients. The Caesar dressing contains soybean oil, a commonly criticized oil due to its potential inflammation-promoting properties, as well as added sugars like molasses, sugar, and corn syrup, which are detrimental to those seeking to limit their sugar intake. The dressing also includes natural flavors and xanthan gum, both of which are often viewed with skepticism by clean eating advocates.
Moreover, the salad is garnished with grated Parmesan, chipotle aioli, and blue corn tortilla strips. While these may add texture and interest, the aioli’s base of soybean oil and the tortilla strips cooked in oil such as canola, which is another often-disputed oil, further detract from the product’s health profile. The presence of cilantro does little to offset these concerns.
This product’s score reflects a stance that prioritizes transparency and the absence of certain ingredients considered by many to be incompatible with a clean diet. The salad’s use of non-organic ingredients, GMOs, added sugars, and contentious oils and additives makes it a less desirable choice for consumers seeking cleaner food options. The score indicates that there are more wholesome and less processed alternatives available that better align with the values of clean eating and optimal health.
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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