Understanding the Calories in Panera Green Tea
When ordering a drink at Panera Bread, many assume that opting for a green tea is a low-calorie or calorie-free choice. While this is true for plain, brewed green tea, Panera's most popular green tea is actually a sweetened, fruit-infused beverage that carries a substantial calorie count. It's crucial to understand the difference between the varieties to make an informed decision based on your nutritional goals.
The Sweetened Calories: Panera's Passion Papaya Iced Green Tea
Panera's widely-recognized and delicious green tea, known as the Passion Papaya Iced Green Tea, gets its tropical flavor and sweetness from added sugars, not just the tea itself. For example, the Regular size contains 140 calories, all of which come from its high sugar content.
Nutritional Breakdown of Sweetened Green Tea
- Regular (20 fl oz): 140 calories, 36g of sugar, and 36g of carbohydrates.
- Large (30 fl oz): 210 calories and 52g of sugar.
These values are important to consider if you're managing your daily sugar or calorie intake. For comparison, the American Heart Association recommends limiting added sugar to about 36 grams for men and 25 grams for women per day.
The Low-Calorie Alternative: Unsweetened Iced Tea
If you're seeking a truly low-calorie and refreshing tea option at Panera, you should specifically order the Unsweetened Iced Tea. This self-serve option includes a blend of green and black tea and contains virtually no calories or sugar.
Nutritional Information for Unsweetened Tea
- Regular (20 fl oz): 5 calories, 0g of sugar, and 2g of carbohydrates.
- Customization: You can enhance the flavor of the unsweetened tea with a slice of lemon or by adding a sugar substitute from the self-serve station, though it's best to check the nutritional information for any packets you use.
Panera Green Tea Comparison Table
| Product | Serving Size | Calories | Total Sugars (g) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passion Papaya Iced Green Tea | Regular (20 fl oz) | 140 | 36 |
| Passion Papaya Iced Green Tea | Large (30 fl oz) | 210 | 52 |
| Unsweetened Iced Tea | Regular (20 fl oz) | 5 | 0 |
Health Benefits of Green Tea (Without the Added Sugar)
Pure, unsweetened green tea is widely celebrated for its health benefits, including its high antioxidant content. These antioxidants, primarily catechins like EGCG, help fight cell damage. Other potential benefits of consuming green tea include:
- Improved Cognitive Function: Compounds like L-theanine and caffeine in green tea may boost mood and brain function.
- Weight Management Support: Some studies suggest that green tea can help with fat burning, especially when combined with exercise.
- Reduced Risk of Heart Disease: Regular consumption may lower risk factors for heart disease by reducing inflammation and preventing plaque buildup in arteries.
- Oral Health: Drinking green tea has been linked to better oral health.
- Skin Health: Green tea may help reduce acne and protect the skin from premature aging.
It's important to remember that these benefits apply to unsweetened green tea. The high sugar content of Panera's flavored green tea would likely counteract many of these positive health effects.
Conclusion
The number of calories in Panera green tea varies dramatically depending on whether you choose the sweetened Passion Papaya variety or the unsweetened iced tea. While the unsweetened option is a near-zero calorie, healthy choice, the sweetened version contains a significant amount of sugar and calories that can quickly add up. For those monitoring their sugar intake, ordering the Unsweetened Iced Tea is the best option. For more details on the health benefits of pure green tea, you can consult reliable sources like Healthline. Read more about the benefits of green tea on Healthline.
