That wonderful 'P' cafe

auntiemsgr8

Anyone know what part of the Thai chopped chicken salad at Panera has all the sodium in it? I'm thinking it has to be the dressing or the wontons- or both. I just LOVE it but don't like all the salt so if I could tweak it a little I would. Anyone have a good dressing substitute? I can easliy do without the wontons.

Second, this may sound a bit crazy but has anyone ever ordered a regular salad but with half the lettuce at P? I need the calories as I struggle to eat all MFP says I should but the lettuce is way too much. Would be ok if had actual calories to it. I thought about doing that tonight but figured the clerk would think I was crazy. But maybe next time.

coliema

I don't think they think you are crazy.... you know how when you go pick up your food at the counter, they always give you a little bit of their delicious bread? I asked the kid if I could have the entire loaf, it's as long as my arm, and he said yes. I was the happiest person ever, I love their bread. But of course this was before I knew MFP existed! :happy:

Nikiki

Go to Panera's website, they have a nutrition calculator that you can play with, cutting ingredients or adding other options. There's no option for half amounts though so if you want to get that particular you'll have to do the math and add it into the mfp database. For that salad it looks like the highest sodium I ingredients are the dressing (430), edamame blend (400), chicken (210) and wonton strips (200).

As for not getting enough calories, if you open your diary we can take a peak and see what you could do differently but often people fall into a diet food rutt: just because you're trying to lose weight doesn't mean you have to stick with diet foods. Instead of just the salad do a pick two with half a salad and half a bowl of soup or sandwich. Are you eating only sugar free, fat free foods? If so try adding back some more real foods. They tend to taste better anyway!

wolfchild59

Panera has absolutely one of the best nutrition sites of any restaurant or fast casual chain I've seen. I'd suggest giving it a look to help you customize your meal to make it just how you want it.

http://www.paneranutrition.com/

TArnold2012

Chicken, dressing, wontons all have sodium