How to Use the Noodles & Company Nutrition, Allergen & Dietary Lifestyle Calculator
Noodles & Company provides a user-friendly online tool to help you make informed decisions about your meal. The calculator, available on their website and app, goes beyond just listing calories. Here’s a step-by-step guide to using it effectively:
- Access the calculator: Visit the 'Eat Well' section of the Noodles & Company website or use their mobile app. You can find a direct link to the 'Nutrition, Allergen & Dietary Lifestyle Calculator' within this section.
- Explore dietary lifestyles: The calculator allows you to filter menu items based on specific dietary preferences. This is especially helpful for those following low-carb, keto, vegetarian, or gluten-friendly diets. By selecting a lifestyle, the menu will automatically update to show compliant options.
- Filter for allergens: For individuals with allergies, this tool is invaluable. You can select specific allergens, such as milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy, and wheat, to see which dishes contain them. It is important to note the company's disclaimer regarding potential cross-contact, but the tool provides a strong starting point for making safe choices.
- Customize and calculate: The 'MyMeal' feature is the core of the calculator. You can add multiple menu items, from an entrée to a side dish and a dessert, and the tool will display the aggregated nutrition totals for your entire meal. This is perfect for those who want a clear picture of their total caloric, fat, and sodium intake.
- View detailed information: For each individual menu item, you can access more detailed nutritional information. This includes calories, fat, protein, carbs, and sodium content. The tool allows for easy comparison between different dishes and sizes.
Benefits of Using the Noodles & Company Nutrition Calculator
- Informed Decisions: The calculator provides transparency, allowing customers to understand exactly what is in their food.
- Dietary Management: For those with health-related goals, the tool simplifies the process of finding meals that fit into their specific plans.
- Customization: It empowers customers to customize their meals, such as swapping out noodles or adding different proteins, and see how it affects the nutritional content.
- Allergen Safety: While not a guarantee against cross-contamination, the allergen filter is a crucial first step for customers with food sensitivities.
- Convenience: The integration with the online ordering system and mobile app makes it easy to check nutrition on the go, without needing to reference separate documents or external websites.
Comparison Table: Classic vs. Lighter Noodles
| Feature | Classic Noodles (e.g., Mac & Cheese) | Lighter Noodles (e.g., Zucchini Noodles) |
|---|---|---|
| Core Ingredient | Traditional wheat-based pasta | Vegetable-based (zucchini) |
| Carbohydrates | Higher carbohydrate content | Significantly lower carbohydrate content |
| Calories | Often higher, especially with rich sauces | Lower calorie count overall |
| Texture | Standard pasta consistency | Firmer, vegetable-like texture |
| Nutritional Profile | Comfort-focused, may be higher in sodium/fat | Focused on fresh ingredients, lower in fat |
| Best For | Indulgent comfort food | Health-conscious or low-carb diners |
Customization Options and Their Nutritional Impact
One of the greatest features of the calculator is its ability to show the nutritional changes with each customization. For instance, swapping traditional wheat pasta for zucchini noodles can drastically lower the carb and calorie count of a dish. Similarly, opting for grilled chicken instead of parmesan-crusted can reduce fat and calories. These options allow diners to enjoy Noodles & Company’s flavors while adhering to their personal health goals. The calculator provides the exact numbers, taking the guesswork out of healthy eating.
Understanding the Disclaimers
Noodles & Company provides important disclaimers regarding their nutritional information and allergens. They state that while they strive for accuracy, ingredients and preparations can vary. More importantly, they do not guarantee that any menu item is completely free from a particular allergen due to the possibility of cross-contamination in their kitchens. This is a standard and crucial warning for anyone with severe allergies. The tool should be used as a helpful guide, and customers with sensitivities should always communicate their needs to a manager when ordering in person.
Conclusion: A Tool for Health-Conscious Dining
In conclusion, Noodles & Company absolutely has a nutrition calculator, a feature they have actively promoted since at least 2019. Their online Nutrition, Allergen & Dietary Lifestyle Calculator is a comprehensive and modern tool that empowers customers to make informed dining decisions. By filtering for dietary preferences, checking for allergens, and aggregating meal totals, health-conscious diners can confidently navigate the menu. This proactive approach to nutritional transparency demonstrates the company's commitment to accommodating a wide range of dietary needs and promoting a more personalized, healthier eating experience.
What to Know Before You Order
Noodles & Company's tool allows for granular control over your meal's nutritional profile. By using the 'MyMeal' feature, you can plan your entire order, from appetizers to desserts, and see the cumulative impact on your dietary goals. The ability to see real-time updates as you customize is a significant advantage. This level of detail is particularly useful for those tracking macronutrients or specific food sensitivities.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Noodles & Company Nutrition Calculator
How can I find the nutrition calculator on the Noodles & Company website?
You can find the nutrition calculator by visiting the 'Eat Well' page on the official Noodles & Company website. A direct link to the 'Nutrition, Allergen & Dietary Lifestyle Calculator' is provided there.
Can I use the nutrition calculator on the Noodles & Company app?
Yes, the nutrition calculator is fully integrated into the Noodles & Company mobile app. This allows you to check nutritional information and customize meals conveniently from your smartphone.
What is the 'MyMeal' feature and how does it work?
'MyMeal' is a feature within the calculator that allows you to add multiple menu items to see the combined nutritional total for your entire meal, including entrées, sides, and drinks.
Does the calculator track allergens?
Yes, the calculator includes an allergen filter where you can select common allergens to see which menu items contain them. However, the company warns that cross-contamination is a possibility.
Can I filter for specific dietary lifestyles like keto or vegan?
Yes, the tool allows you to filter menu options based on various dietary preferences, including keto, paleo, vegetarian, and gluten-friendly.
Does the calculator show nutritional information for customized orders?
Yes, as you make customizations to a dish, such as swapping noodle types or adding protein, the calculator will automatically update to reflect the new nutritional totals.
Is the nutritional information guaranteed to be 100% accurate?
Noodles & Company provides disclaimers that while they strive for accuracy, ingredients and supplier methods can vary. The tool should be used as a guide, and those with severe allergies should still communicate with staff.
