I'm going to Panera for my first time in about an hour and I've heard so many delicious things about it. I have to try to contain myself with all the tasty pastries and breads that will be around. Anyone have any good recommendations on what to get there? Of course I want to stay somewhat healthy, but I've already altered my daily calories to make room for a good lunch. I looked at their online menu and everything looks SO good I don't know what to get!!

I like their blackbean soup and the 1/2 turkey sandwich with chipotle mayo!

I would look for their simple sandwich menu rather than their fancy sandwiches. You can pick what kind of bread you want rather than the suggest bread. I'd avoid the paninis as they are just grilled cheese with 'stuff'.

The soups are pretty decent. Although avoid their cheesy and creamy soups. I generally get half a veggie sandwich (no cheese), a veggie soup and an apple.

I'd look at their website and for nutritional information so you won't be surprised. Some of their sandwiches have 300-400 calories, some have over 1000 calories.

I do the "you pick two" and I like their veg. black bean soup and greek salad with no dressing---it is too oily, and an apple as the side. I think you could probably ask for lowfat/low cal dressing. I just drizzle some of the soup over the salad greens.

The salmon salad comes highly recommended from my DH and I think there is a "write up" on the salmon salad here on 3FC.

My favorite soup is their mushroom soup, but I haven't looked up the nutritionals.

They have a calorie information binder you can ask for at the counter to look through I usually do the you pick two as well, get the fuji apple salad and broccoli cheese soup, about 600 calories altogether. Mmmmm makes me hungry just talking about it

I don't know if you've left yet, but my favorite as of late has been the creamy tomato soup, a half orchard harvest salad, and a piece of sourdough bread. I have a hard time finding combos that I like that much, but this one is really tasty!

Since you're posting this on 3FC, you're connected to the net - the Panera Website has pretty much nutritional info on all their items (the bread that comes with their soup or salad is a bit hard to exactly measure, depending on how big a "portion" you got).

I usually do the half and half, checking the nutritional info on the items to order to make sure I can fit it in my plan. Last week I did the portabello panini and garden vegetable soup for a very filling and affordable ~450 calories.

Oh yea, avoid even looking at the pastry display

I like the garlic mushroom soup and the turkey bravo sandwich there. The asiago cheese bread is soooooo gooooood.....but it's off limits now.