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Home > Blogs > Taste: Dayton food and restaurants > Archives > 2009 > March > 11 > Entry
Panera tops Top 10 Healthiest Fast Food list; Chipotle, McDonald’s also place
The folks at Health magazine have come up with a different type of Top Ten list that at first blush, seems a bit of an oxymoron: “America’s Top 10 Healthiest Fast Food Restaurants.”
The magazine said its criteria included “such factors as the use of healthy fats and preparations, healthy sodium counts in entrees, availability of nutritional information, and the use of organic produce.”
Panera Bread scored the top spot. The chain — which has several Dayton-area locations — won praise for whole-grain bread choices and half-size portion options and because “most of the chicken is antibiotic- and hormone-free.”
Coming in number 4 on the list was Noodles and Company, which just opened its first Dayton-area restaurant at The Greene in Beavercreek. The chain was lauded for using only soybean oil for sauteing and for its varied selection of Asian, Mediterranean, or American noodle bowl options.
The Chipotle chain of Mexican restaurants placed sixth on the “healthiest” list, although the magazine cautioned diners to “go light on cheese and sour cream.” Chipotle earned kudos for “commitment to organics, hormone- and antibiotic-free meats, and produce sourced from local suppliers, which is revolutionary in a chain this big.”
And lo and behold, who should make the top-ten list in eighth place but McDonald’s, which has certainly taken its lumps from nutritionists and dietitians (and documentary-makers) over the years. Health praised McDonald’s for “leading the way in overhauling its menu to offer more heart- and waist-friendly fare.”
Einstein Bros. Bagels, whose web site lists two locations on Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, placed ninth.
Other top-ten chains cited by the magazine do not have southwest Ohio locations.
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By shellymoe
March 11, 2009 3:09 PM | Link to this
Subway can be healthy, if you choose wisely. Same with Panera. The folks at Health Mag seemed to focus on over all nutrition values (not just calories) and available products. Organic and hormone/antibiotic-free foods are very important to a lot of folks. You can find healthy foods in just about every restaurant, you just have to be willing to select them.
By null
March 11, 2009 2:49 PM | Link to this
it’s hard to believe that panera and chipotle are on the list. look up their nutritional info at calorieking.com, they seem to be 2 of the worst. plus, their portions are HUGE, so they seem healthy, but if you eat the whole thing, they are not.
By Eddie
March 11, 2009 1:46 PM | Link to this
Heres some Subway info: http://www.menshealth.com/eatthis/sandwiches/Subway.php http://www.menshealth.com/eatthis/16-Restaurant-Industry-Secrets-2009/Subwaydoesntwantyoutoknow.php FTA: you’ll eat more calories there than you would at McDonald’s. It’s not exactly Subway’s fault—most of their offerings are healthy, nutritious, and low-calorie. But a 2007 study at Columbia University found that when shown two 1,000-calorie dishes, people underestimate the load by about 159 calories in food they consider “healthy.” The researchers also found that when people eat at “healthy” restaurants, like Subway, they tend to order 131 percent more calories in side items than they do at known “unhealthy” restaurants. Not that calorie-count alone tells the whole story about the nutritional quality of the foods you’re eating, but if you’re already going out of your way to eat as healthfully as possible, it’s important to remember that it’s still possible to overdo it, even at “good” restaurants.
By Eddie
March 11, 2009 1:45 PM | Link to this
Studies have shown that when you eat at a place like subway customers tend to purchase excess add-on items (chips, cookies, mayo, cheese, ranch etc…). I have a hard time believing subway’s claims as to how healthy their food is. EVERYTHING on their menu is bottom quality processed meats and cheese. And when you ask for little mayo they slather the thing in it!!! Seems a little backwards…
By April
March 11, 2009 12:40 PM | Link to this
No way that McDonald’s is healthier than Subway. Just because they offer alternatives doesn’t make them healthier. I would like to see the amount of people that would go with sliced apples over fries. I would agree with Chipotle on the list…that’s about it. It’s all about what you put in and on your food!
By Edward
March 11, 2009 12:04 PM | Link to this
Magazines have found a way to advertise their rags for free. Americans love lists and the news loves to treat it like news and give readers what they want. The lists are always flawed and biased.
By Over It
March 11, 2009 10:54 AM | Link to this
Hmm, I think it’s funny that Panera is on this list, as I’ve seen it on other lists as one of the worst fast-food chains to visit. Just take one look at its nutrition facts on its breads, sandwiches and even soups! Eeek! I’m with Jill — where’s Subway?
By shellymoe
March 11, 2009 10:16 AM | Link to this
Yay for Panera! This place has the best soups, sandwiches and salads. The fresh-baked baguettes (in french or whole grain) are the best! I also like that they have a survey on every receipt you can do to enter a monthly drawing for $2,000!
By Jill
March 11, 2009 8:47 AM | Link to this
Where’s Subway on this list? I know McDonald’s has made strides, but there is no way it is healthier overall than Subway.