We Asked 6 Dietitians What They Order at Panera — Here's What They Said

"I love this option because of the lean protein of the turkey and also the fiber of the apple and lettuce, which help fill me up," Shana Minei Spence, MS, RDN, CDN at The Nutrition Tea said.

"I like the 'you pick two' option at Panera and go for half a sandwich and a small side soup or salad," Lorraine Chu, MS, RDN, said. Lorraine usually opts for half of the roasted turkey, apple, and cheddar sandwich or the Mediterranean veggie sandwich. For salads, Lorraine orders half of the strawberry poppyseed salad with chicken. If she gets soup, she prefers a broth-based soup.

"Whenever I order food at Panera, I am looking to get a meal that is healthy and delicious," Stephanie Ambrose, MS, RD, LDN told POPSUGAR. Stephanie orders half of the strawberry poppyseed salad without chicken and half of the roasted turkey, apple, and cheddar sandwich. "This is my absolute favorite meal to get because it's delicious and also full of fiber, which helps keep you fuller longer," she explained.

"My go-to order is the strawberry poppyseed salad with chicken," Colleen Christensen, RD and founder of Mitten Dietitian said. "I love this salad because it has 29 grams of protein, which helps keep me nice and full."

"Steak is actually a really filling protein choice," Kristen Peterson, MPH, RDN, LDN at PrimeLife Nutrition said. "It's loaded with flavor but doesn't break the bank when you're trying to watch your weight," she added.

"My favorite Panera item is the green goddess Cobb salad," Sydney Richards, RD, LDN, and Under Armour Performance Center dietitian said. Sydney typically orders this salad without bacon and hard-boiled eggs. "I love it because it's high in protein and healthy fats, so it keeps me full and really sustains my energy for a few hours."

"At only 440 calories, you'll get loads of vegetables, protein, and whole grains without sacrificing calorie content," Kristen said. If you're not in the mood for a salad, this is a great alternative, according to Kristen.

Another go-to for Shana is the Fuji apple salad. She prefers apples in salads because they naturally sweeten the meal and add fiber to keep you full and satisfied.

"This is one of my favorites, and at only 400 calories, you won't be disappointed," Kristen said. "This is another great choice when you want flavor and that fullness factor without having to order soup or a salad," she added.