How to use your Points at Panera Bread

Panera Bread was one of the first soup-salad-sandwich chains, back when most quick meals meant a burger and fries. Known for tasty dishes like Asian sesame chicken salad, soup in a bread bowl, and specialty bagels loaded with Asiago or cinnamon-sugar, it’s true that some of its offerings can make a substantial dent in your Points® Budget. But there are still lots of options that can fit in with everyone’s goals. (And remember, on the WeightWatchers®program for weight loss, nothing is totally off the menu.)

Discover the Points value of some of your favorite dishes at Panera Bread, as well as some lighter options, with our guide.

It’s no surprise that a place with “bread” in its name makes tasty bagels and pastries. The bagel flat sandwich is a great choice because it includes healthy unsaturated fat from the avocado, protein from the egg white, and fiber from spinach that can help keep you full longer.

• Asiago bagel10 Points

• Avocado, egg white, and spinach on multigrain bagel flat9 Points

• Everything bagel9 Points

• Mini orange scone9 Points

While it may seem like the broccoli cheddar would be the soup option with the most Points, it's actually tied with the creamy tomato — each one is nearly double that of the French onion soup. Keep in mind that what your soup comes in at Panera may have a big impact if you opt for a bread bowl.

Points value is based on a 1-cup serving of soup.

• Broccoli cheddar soup11 Points

• Homestyle chicken noodle soup2 Points

• Bistro french onion soup6 Points

• Vegetarian creamy tomato soup11 Points

• Sourdough bread bowl19 Points

Salads are sometimes known for seeming healthy but actually being high in Points once you add on dressing and toppings like croutons or wontons, cheese, and nuts. That said, many of the half-size portions of Panera’s salads are reasonable and include chicken, whose protein can help keep you full longer.

Points value is based on a half-size portion of salad.

• Asian sesame chicken salad with dressing4 Points

• Fuji apple salad with chicken and dressing7 Points

• Greek salad with dressing6 Points

• Green goddess Cobb salad with chicken and dressing4 Points

• Strawberry poppy seed salad with chicken and fat-free dressing2 Points

If you’re feeling a craving for fresh-baked bread at Panera, there are options that are heavier or lighter on Points. For example, the sourdough bread bowl is 19 points before you count the soup, whereas another way to get sourdough — a half turkey & cheddar sandwich on country rustic sourdough — is 11 Points, including everything that comes between the bread.

Points value is based on half a sandwich.

• Frontega chicken panini on black pepper focaccia12 Points

• Mediterranean veggie sandwich on tomato basil9 Points

• Grilled Chicken and avo BLT sandwich on country rustic sourdough13 Points

• Tuna salad sandwich on country sourdough8 Points

• Turkey sandwich on crusty rustic sourdough6 Points

Sometimes people can fall into all-or-nothing thinking, like “If I’m getting chips, I may as well get a cookie too.” But looking at the Points totals, there’s a big difference — 5 Points for chips alone versus 25 Points for chips and a cookie. If you’re in the mood for something sweet, consider the ZeroPoints fruit cup, or just eat part of the XL chocolate chipper.

• Chocolate Chipper cookie20 Points

• Seasonal fruit cup0 Points

• Panera kettle chips5 Points

• French Baguette (side portion)5 Points

Nothing is off-limits at Panera — including its specialty bagels and even the infamous bread bowl. If you’re trying to lose weight, consider using our guide to minimize Points on your salad, sandwich, soup, sides, and dessert.