Updated May 8, 2023
Can I eat Panera Tomato Soup while pregnant? If you are wondering you’re not alone!
This question comes up a lot, as tomato soup is a common craving for pregnant women.
Panera offers a variety of tasty food options, and its creamy tomato soup is one of the most popular items on the menu.
Can I Eat Panera creamy tomato soup While Pregnant?
Yes! You can eat Panera creamy tomato soup while you are pregnant.
During pregnancy, if you are craving some creamy tomato soup at Panera there are a few things you should know before you dig into the steamy goodness
The first is that you need to make sure the Panera creamy tomato soup is served hot and don’t let it sit out too long before eating it.
Pregnant women should not eat soups, stews, or chilis that are not thoroughly heated, as it can lead to foodborne illness.
Second, some people may be more sensitive to the acid in tomatoes and experience nausea or vomiting after eating tomato soup, so if you are in your first trimester of pregnancy and are experiencing morning sickness, tomato soup may not be the best choice.
Eat your soup slowly and consider having bread or a sandwich with it.
This can decrease your chances of suffering nausea or vomiting after eating it.
Panera creamy tomato soup has red pepper as an ingredient so keep that in mind if you are sensitive to spicy foods.
If you are unsure about an ingredient in the creamy tomato soup, it is best to ask your server or check with the restaurant before ordering.
When it comes to tomato soup from Panera, the good news is that their soups are fully cooked, served hot, and their ingredients are safe for pregnant women to eat.
Photo Credit: Maternity Comfort Solutions
However, there are still a few things to keep in mind about the Panera creamy tomato soup:
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), pregnant women should avoid eating food from restaurants that could put them at risk for foodborne illnesses.
This includes undercooked meat, poultry, and eggs; unpasteurized dairy products; unwashed fruits and vegetables; and certain types of fish.
The tomato soup at Panera is made with pasteurized cream so there should be little risk of foodborne illness.
Pregnant women are at an increased risk for foodborne illnesses, such as Salmonella, Ecoli, and Listeria.
These pathogens can cause serious illness and even death in pregnant women and their unborn babies.
While there may be no reported cases of Salmonella or Listeria infection from Panera creamy tomato soup, it is important to be aware of the potential risks.
Pregnant women should avoid eating soup that has been sitting out at room temperature for more than two hours.
If the tomato soup is refrigerated, it should be consumed within three days of opening.
The safest option for pregnant women is to eat freshly made tomato soup
While the risk of foodborne illnesses from creamy tomato soup is low, it is still something to be aware of if you are pregnant.
Third and finally, the creamy tomato soup comes with black pepper croutons.
They are safe to eat during pregnancy.
If you are craving Panera creamy tomato soup, you may want to consider skipping the croutons (I know that’s probably a hard no), but the croutons are high in calories and fat.
You can always have the croutons and choose to have your other meals be lower calorie that day.
That’s what I would often choose to do during pregnancy if I wanted something that wasn’t super healthy.
What is the nutritional information for Panera creamy tomato soup?
One serving of their creamy tomato soup contains 240 calories, with 11 grams of fat and 19 grams of protein.
It also provides 10% of your daily value of calcium and 25% of your daily value of vitamin A.
However, it’s important to note that this soup is high in sodium, providing 680 milligrams per serving.
Make sure you drink plenty of water with your soup.
Regardless, with its rich tomato flavor and creamy texture, Panera’s creamy tomato soup can be a satisfying addition to any lunch or dinner meal.
Tips for making Panera tomato soup healthier and a complete meal:
- Add some leafy greens: Tomatoes are a good source of vitamins and minerals, but adding some leafy greens to your soup will give you an extra boost of nutrients. Try spinach, kale, or Swiss chard.
- Limit the cheese: Cheese can add calories and saturated fat to your soup. If you’re watching your weight gain during pregnancy, limit the cheese or choose a lower-fat variety.
- Go easy on the croutons: Croutons are delicious, but they’re also high in calories and carbs. If you’re watching your weight, go easy on the croutons or skip them altogether.
Some other menu items that go well with Panera Tomato Soup include:
- Grilled cheese sandwich: A classic grilled cheese sandwich pairs perfectly with tomato soup. Just be sure to choose whole grain bread and limit the cheese for a healthier meal.
- Salad: Add some greens to your meal with a side salad. Pairing your soup with a salad is a great way to up your veggie intake.
Panera healthy menu options for pregnancy:
The healthiest salad you can order at Panera during pregnancy is the Power Medley Kale & Quinoa Salad with Chicken.
This salad includes kale, quinoa, roasted chicken, sunflower seeds, dried cranberries, and a light vinaigrette dressing.
It’s a great source of protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals like iron and calcium.
The best sandwich choice at Panera for pregnant women is the Turkey Artisan Ciabatta.
This sandwich includes turkey, bacon, avocado, tomato, and leafy greens on ciabatta bread.
It’s a good source of protein and healthy fats, but be sure to ask for light mayo or mustard to limit the number of calories and fat in the sandwich.
Our OB/GYN, Dr. Doug Penta, suggests that pregnant women should balance the tomato soup with more protein.
Three delicious options for increasing your protein intake when eating at Panera are:
- Smoked Turkey Breast on Artisan Ciabatta
- Chipotle Chicken on Focaccia
- Roasted Beef & Cheddar on Sourdough
- Bacon Turkey Bravo on artisan bread
Can I Eat Panera mac & cheese while pregnant?
Yes! More good news mac n cheese is a relatively healthy option!
The mac cheese at Panera has 630 Calories, 32 g of Fat: and 58 g of carbohydrates.
Panera mac n cheese is made with pasteurized milk, cream, and cheese.
You should avoid unpasteurized dairy products during pregnancy, as they may contain harmful bacteria.
Pregnant women should also be sure to balance the high calorie and carbohydrate content of Mac & Cheese with more protein-rich foods.
Is it safe to eat a Panera frontega chicken sandwich when pregnant?
Yes, you can eat a frontega chicken sandwich while pregnant.
Many pregnant women are concerned about the Aioli on the sandwich but it is safe to eat.
It is made with pasteurized eggs!
The sandwich has 710 Calories, 35g of Fat: 35 g, and 62 g of carbohydrates.
It is high in Sodium with 1540 mg.
So drink plenty of water and try to watch your sodium intake for the rest of the day.
List of foods not to eat when pregnant:
- Foods that are not pasteurized- certain types of cheese like soft cheeses, Brie, Blue Cheese, etc.
- Certain types of fish- shark, swordfish, anything high in mercury, undercooked shellfish, raw oysters.
- Raw eggs including homemade mayo, hollandaise sauce, and eggnog.
- Undercooked meats – lunch meats.
- Hot foods that are not “hot”, avoid hot foods that have been sitting out without a warming source. Same for foods that should be eaten cold. If there is no ice or refrigeration source keeping the food cool, take a pass.
- Caffeine- soda, chocolate. (Limit your caffeine to less than 200 mg a day)
- Herbal Teas (There are so many ingredients in herbal teas so it is best to simply avoid them. Green tea is OK.)
What should a pregnant woman eat daily?
A pregnant woman needs to consume a variety of nutrients every day to support both her own health and the development of her baby.
Protein is essential for building new tissue and can be found in meat, poultry, fish, legumes, and eggs.
Calcium is necessary for strong bones and teeth and is especially important during the third trimester when the baby’s skeleton is rapidly developing.
Pregnant women should aim to get 1000 mg of calcium per day from low-fat dairy products such as milk, yogurt, and cheese.
Iron is also important for the formation of new blood cells, and pregnant women need about 27 mg of iron per day.
Good sources of iron include lean red meat, dark leafy greens, and fortified cereals.
Tips for eating out in restaurants while pregnant:
- Avoid buffets – you don’t know how fresh the food is or how well it’s been cooked.
- Stick to restaurants that you know and trust – this way you can be sure that the food is fresh and of good quality.
- When in doubt, ask your waiter or waitress for recommendations on safe dishes to eat while pregnant.
- Order simple dishes that are easy to digest.
- Avoid anything with raw eggs or undercooked meat.
- Drink plenty of water and avoid caffeine and alcohol
- Beware of hidden sources of sodium in restaurant food
- Avoid foods made with unpasteurized dairy products.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for a modification to your meal!
Hacks for healthy eating during pregnancy:
Eating healthily during pregnancy is essential to the development of your baby.
Here are some tips to help make sure you are getting the nutrients you need:
- Eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein. This will help ensure you get the vitamins, minerals, and fiber you need.
- Limit processed foods, sugary drinks, and excessive amounts of caffeine. These can all lead to unhealthy weight gain and other problems during pregnancy.
- Drink plenty of water. Staying hydrated is important for both your health and the baby’s health.
- Don’t skip meals. Eating small, frequent meals will help to keep your energy up and prevent you from overeating later on. Eating small frequent meals can help decrease morning sickness and heartburn
