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Community Corner

Panera's Calorie-slim, Gluten-free Options Revealed

Panera Bread has kept its “Hidden Menu” under wraps for nearly a year, but, starting January 1, two of its six secret high-protein, low-calorie options will be added to its daily menu. The news comes just in time to help empower eager weight loss resolutions. Both of these meals – the Power Chicken Hummus Bowl and Power Breakfast Egg White Bowl with Roasted Turkey -- dramatically trim carbs and eliminate gluten.

Four additional Power meals will still remain on Panera’s Hidden Menu. They range from a breakfast choice that’s a mere 170 calories to a Power Mediterranean Chicken Salad, that’s only 360 calories. All offerings are filling, flavorful and made fresh. Each has high levels of lean protein and significant fiber.                                                             

Following is a peek at Panera Bread’s lineup of choices customers will find secreted on Panera’s Hidden Menu:

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Power Breakfast Egg Bowl with Steak – two all-natural eggs, freshly cracked every morning, seared top sirloin, fresh avocado and tomatoes (270 cal, 25g protein, 6g carbs)

Power Mediterranean Chicken Salad – all natural, antibiotic-free chicken, baby spinach, romaine lettuce, tomatoes, applewood-smoked bacon, hard-boiled eggs, freshly squeezed lemon juice and extra virgin olive oil (360 cal, 35g protenin, 8g carbs)

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    Power Steak Lettuce Wraps -- seared top sirloin, leaf lettuce, cucumbers, diced tomatoes, red onions and basil pesto, finished with freshly squeezed lemon juice (210 cal, 25g protein, 7g carbs)

    Power Mediterranean Roasted Turkey Salad -- all-natural, antibiotic-free roasted turkey, baby spinach, romaine lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, kalamata olives, freshly squeezed lemon juice and extra virgin olive oil (290 cal, 28g protein, 9g carbs)

    Starting January 1, the following Power meals will appear on the café’s regular menu board:

    Power Breakfast Egg White Bowl with Roasted Turkey -- all-natural, antibiotic-free roasted turkey, egg whites, warm baby spinach and roasted peppers with basil pesto (170 cal, 28g protein, 5g carbs)

    Power Chicken Hummus Bowl -- all-natural, antibiotic-free chicken, cilantro jalapeno hummus, baby spinach, cucumbers, diced tomatoes and red onions, finished with freshly squeezed lemon juice and freshly chopped cilantro (330 cal, 33g protein, 20g carbs)

    All six meals are designed to give a power boost that will help guests muscle through their days and keep their resolutions to exercise and eat healthier in the year ahead.

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