Is Panera Bread Clean Eating? A Look at the Menu and Ingredients

October 25, 2025 •

3 min read

In 2017, Panera Bread announced that its US menu was 100% 'clean,' free from artificial preservatives, sweeteners, flavors, and colors from artificial sources. However, the broader question of whether Panera Bread is clean eating is more complex than a simple 'yes' or 'no'.

Quick Summary

Panera’s 'clean' status refers to its ingredient list, but menu items can still be high in calories, sodium, and sugar. The healthfulness of a meal depends heavily on individual choices and customization, with some items being better than others.

Key Points

'Clean' Isn't 'Healthy': Panera's 'clean' label means no artificial additives, but doesn't guarantee a meal is low in calories, sugar, or sodium.
Watch for High Sodium and Sugar: Many soups, dressings, and drinks are surprisingly high in sodium and added sugars, so check the nutritional information.
Choose Strategically: Opt for salads, whole grains, and broth-based soups to create a more balanced and nutritious meal.
Customize Your Order: Adjust meals by adding extra vegetables, reducing cheese, and asking for dressings on the side.
Be Mindful of Portions: Even healthy items can be large; consider a 'half' portion or pairing with a side of fruit.
Recent Ingredient Changes: Be aware of recent reports indicating a possible relaxation of some animal welfare and sourcing standards.
Bakery is Decadent: Bakery items, especially cookies and bagels, can be very high in sugar and calories, despite the 'clean' ingredient promise.

Panera's 'Clean' Label Defined

Panera Bread's commitment to using 'clean' ingredients has been a cornerstone of its marketing for years. This pledge means avoiding artificial preservatives, sweeteners, flavors, and colors from artificial sources, a practice documented in their public 'No No List'. While this move was a significant step toward ingredient transparency, it's crucial to understand what this label actually signifies.

The definition of 'clean' is specific to the company and doesn't automatically equate to 'healthy'. For many consumers, clean eating implies a diet of whole, minimally processed foods. While Panera's ingredients may not contain artificial additives, some menu items can be highly processed, calorie-dense, and surprisingly high in sugar or sodium.

The Nuances of the Ingredients

Added Sugars: Many beverages, such as the charged lemonades that received media attention, and certain bakery items contain high amounts of added sugar. Even some seemingly healthy items like smoothies contain juice concentrates, a form of sugar.
Sodium Levels: A frequent point of concern is the high sodium content across the menu, which can exceed daily recommendations in a single meal. For instance, a Greek Salad with Chicken or the Toasted Italiano can be exceptionally high in sodium.
High-Calorie Items: Some fan favorites like the Mac & Cheese in a bread bowl can contain more calories than a typical fast-food burger. The bread bowl itself adds significant carbohydrates and calories.
Shift in Sourcing: In 2024, reports surfaced about Panera relaxing certain ingredient standards related to animal welfare and antibiotic use, which impacts the overall quality of ingredients for some consumers.

Making Healthier Choices at Panera

Eating clean at Panera requires a strategy. It's about navigating the menu with an eye for potential pitfalls, rather than trusting the 'clean' halo effect. Here are some tips for building a more wholesome meal:

Focus on Whole Grains: Opt for whole-grain options like the whole grain miche or sprouted grain bagels to increase fiber intake.
Emphasize Fruits and Vegetables: Load up on produce by choosing a salad or a grain bowl with extra veggies. You can often swap sides, so trade the baguette for a fruit cup or an apple.
Control Cream and Sauces: Many soups and dressings add saturated fat and sodium. Ask for dressings on the side or choose a broth-based soup like the Ten Vegetable Soup.
Be Aware of Portions: Panera is known for generous portion sizes. Consider ordering a 'half' size or sharing with someone to control calories and fat.
Customize Your Meal: Use the menu as a guide, not a rule. You can modify most orders to better fit your dietary needs by requesting less cheese, extra veggies, or substituting ingredients.

Comparison of Healthy vs. Indulgent Options at Panera


Meal Category	Healthier Choice	Less Healthy Indulgence	Nutritional Differences (approximate)
Salad	Balsamic Greens with Grains Salad (Whole)	Greek Salad with Chicken (Whole)	Lower sodium and fat in the Balsamic Greens. Greek Salad adds significant sodium from feta, olives, and dressing.
Soup	Ten Vegetable Soup (Bowl)	Mac & Cheese (Bowl)	Ten Vegetable is low-calorie, high-fiber. Mac & Cheese is extremely high in calories, sodium, and saturated fat.
Sandwich	Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad Sandwich	Toasted Italiano (Whole)	Cranberry Walnut Chicken is lower in calories, fat, and significantly lower in sodium.
Breakfast	Avocado, Egg White & Spinach	Asiago Sausage & Egg on Asiago Bagel	The egg white option is lower in calories, fat, and sodium.
Bakery	Coconut Macaroons (1)	Kitchen Sink Cookie (1)	Macaroons are a much smaller portion with lower calories, fat, and sugar compared to the decadent Kitchen Sink cookie.

Conclusion

While Panera Bread's commitment to eliminating artificial ingredients is commendable, it does not make the entire menu automatically suitable for a clean eating lifestyle. The term 'clean' should not be mistaken for a health guarantee, as many items still contain high levels of sodium, sugar, and calories. Eating clean at Panera requires an intentional approach: choosing salads with light dressing, opting for whole-grain options, and being mindful of high-calorie bowls and sugary beverages. By customizing orders and paying close attention to portion sizes and nutritional information, it is absolutely possible to find a clean meal at Panera. Ultimately, the healthfulness of a meal at Panera depends more on individual menu choices than on the company's ingredient policy.

Can you eat clean at Panera bread? Yes, but you must be a mindful diner, opting for specific menu items and customizing orders to control sodium and calorie intake.

Frequently Asked Questions

Panera uses a 'No No List' to avoid artificial additives, but not all ingredients are minimally processed. Many items, particularly baked goods and sauces, contain refined ingredients or high amounts of sugar and sodium.

To reduce sodium, choose broth-based soups over creamy options, ask for dressing on the side, and be cautious with deli meats and cheeses. Look for salads and customizable grain bowls.

Healthier choices include the Balsamic Greens with Grains Salad, Ten Vegetable Soup, and the Avocado, Egg White & Spinach breakfast sandwich. Choosing whole-grain options and adding extra vegetables is also recommended.

While some soups like the Ten Vegetable Soup are relatively healthy, many are high in sodium and calories. For instance, the Mac & Cheese and some creamy soups are not clean eating friendly.

No, the Mac & Cheese is not considered a clean eating option. It is very high in calories, sodium, and fat, and lacks the whole-food nutrients typically associated with a clean diet.

Some whole-grain options like the whole grain miche or sprouted grain bagel flats are better choices than standard refined white breads. However, many breads still contain higher levels of refined grains.

Drinks range widely. Unsweetened teas and plain coffee are good choices. Many lemonades, smoothies, and other flavored drinks are very high in added sugar, so it's best to check nutritional information carefully.