If you’re watching what you eat, there are plenty of ways to make healthy taste good, but everybody on a diet knows that nothing can beat the sweet freedom of your cheat day. While Panera has plenty of good options for the conscious eater, sometimes you just need to take a break.
It’s no secret: if you’re on the lookout for delicious, carb-loaded, high-calorie goodness, Panera Bread has got your back. If you’re craving something indulgent, trying to get the most out of your cheat day, or just plain don’t care, here’s a round up of some of Panera’s least healthy menu items.
Sweets:
Bear Claw:
Photo courtesy of panerabread.com
Calories: 570 calories
Fat: 28 grams
Sodium: 410 milligrams
Carbs: 68 grams
A bakery favorite, these delectable pastries clock in at 570 calories and are a great combination of flakiness and crunch. Hard to resist, so why even try?
Mini Scone Variety Pack:
Photo courtesy of panerabread.com
Calories: 1490 calories
Fat: 59 grams
Sodium: 2460 mg
Carbs: 217 grams
Now, to be fair, as an assorted pack this item is bound to have more calories than the average. Each pack comes with 9 shareable miniature scones, but what’s to stop you from tacking the entire bag yourself? Go hard or go home, right?
Carrot Cake with Walnuts:
Photo courtesy of panerabread.com
Calories: 660 calories
Fat: 26 grams
Sodium: 750 mg
Carbs: 100 grams
Just look at that icing. Your mind may feel guilty after gobbling up this delicious cupcake-sized portion of carrot cake, but your taste buds will be happy. Plus, carrots are healthy, so this is pretty much healthy. Probably.
BREAKFAST:
Bacon, Egg, and Cheese on Asiago:
Photo courtesy of panerabread.com
Calories: 620 calories
Fat: 28 grams
Sodium: 1300 mg
Carbs: 56 grams
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so it actually makes sense to treat yourself here. You need to fuel up for your day, and what’s better than Asiago?
Spinach and Bacon Souffle:
Photo courtesy of panerabread.com
Calories: 570 calories
Fat: 37 grams
Sodium: 930 mg
Carbs: 37 grams
Calorie-wise, this is Panera’s worst Souffle, but taste-wise? Arguably the best. And there’s spinach so this is pretty much a serving of vegetables. Speaking of vegetables, here’s the vegan friendly version of this guide.
AFTERNOON:
Mac and Cheese:
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Calories: 980 calories
Fat: 61 grams
Sodium: 2030 mg
Carbs: 75 grams
Everybody loves Mac & Cheese. It’s one of the greatest culinary creations of all time. Some may encourage you to stay away from this, one of Panera’s more caloric menu items that also contains almost your entire daily recommended amount of sodium, but ignore the nay-sayers. There simply is no substitute to a good bowl of macaroni and cheese, so eat your heart out.
New England Clam Chowder:
Photo courtesy of panerabread.com
Calories: 520 calories
Fat: 43 grams
Sodium: 1400 mg
Carbs: 29 grams
If you’re really committed, opting for the New England Clam Chowder in the bread bowl brings the calorie count up to 1000 calories, and it’s totally worth it.
Steak and White Cheddar Panini:
Photo courtesy of panerabread.com
Calories: 1060 calories
Fat: 46 grams
Sodium: 1870 mg
Carbs: 104 grams
Sure, this may be more than half of your recommended daily caloric intake, but half the time in college we only manage to eat two meals a day anyway. And either way, if you’re really craving this sandwich, or anything else in this article for that matter, go easy on yourself. One meal can’t ruin you forever.