Overview of Noodles and Company
Noodles and Company is a chain restaurant with locations across the US that serves a variety of noodle dishes, salads, soups, and sandwiches. The menu also features gluten-free and vegetarian options. In this article, we will take an overview of this restaurant, including the various dishes they offer, the health benefits they provide, and any drawbacks that might affect your health.
Brief History of Noodles and Company
Noodles & Company is a restaurant chain that began as a single location in 1995 with the goal of providing its customers with delicious dishes inspired by cuisine from around the world. Founded in Denver, Colorado, the chain quickly became a local favorite and soon expanded nationally with locations throughout the United States. With its fast-casual dining concept and mix of traditional noodle dishes, salads, wraps, and sides, Noodles & Company prides itself on being able to offer fresh food for both vegetarians and meat-eaters alike.
In addition to its regular menu offerings, Noodles & Company also offers classic favorites like Mac & Cheese as well as seasonal features like Zucchini Frites. Committed to sustainability and responsible sourcing, Noodles & Company works tirelessly to ensure that all ingredients are free of antibiotics and hormones—from meat to produce—so that diners can be confident about indulging in their favorite menu items. Each item is freshly prepared at each location daily according to high standards for quality. The company prioritizes not only taste but also customer service; with friendly staff members who strive to provide guests with an enjoyable experience each visit.
Types of Noodles and Company Menu Items
Noodles & Company offers customers a wide and diverse range of menu items to choose from. While the entrées vary in ingredients, all are prepared using high-quality, wholesome ingredients that offer lots of terrific flavors without compromising nutrition. Here is a breakdown of the Noodles & Company menu items to give you an idea of what’s offered.
Asian Dishes: Loaded with savory Asian flavors including garlic, ginger, soy sauce and sesame oil, Noodles & Company has several Asian-inspired dishes such as Pad Thai and Soba Noodle Bowls made with 100% whole-wheat noodles and fresh vegetables. For a slightly lighter fare, customers can opt for Wakame Seaweed Salad.
Italian Favorites: Hearty Italian favorites like Zucchini Rocca or Alfredo MontAmore are perfect for those who want something creamy and indulgent without an overload of calories. All Italian dishes come with 100% whole-wheat noodles for added health benefits.
American Classics: From Wisconsin Mac & Cheese to Pesto Cavatappi there is an option for every American food lover out there. Most are made using Wisconsin Cheddar cheese and vegetables like squash, kale or asparagus depending on the dish chosen.
Creative Tastes: If you’re feeling adventurous you can try dishes like Buttered Noodles made with your choice of deep rich flavors like Kobe beef ribeye or Chang’s spicy chicken strips paired with sautéed mushrooms and rainbow carrots over 100% whole wheat noodles!
Salads: They also offer salads such as the California Chicken which consists of mixed greens topped with seared chicken breast strips, creamy avocado slices and crispy wonton strips all mixed together in a tangy balsamic dressing.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition is an important part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Noodles and Company offers a variety of meals and snacks for those who are looking for a healthier alternative to traditional fast food. In this section, we’ll explore the nutrition information for various items on the Noodles and Company menu in order to determine whether it is a healthy option.
Calorie Content of Noodles and Company Menu Items
Noodles & Company’s delicious menu items can make it difficult to watch your calorie intake. To help make this easier, we’ve put together a look at how many calories you can expect to find in each one of the delicious items on their menu.
Salads
All salads offer a variety of delightful flavor combinations using fresh ingredients for patrons looking to limit their calorie intake. A few sample salads include:
-Classic Salad with Grilled Chicken (199 cal., 6 g fat, 25 g carbohydrate)
-California Edition Salad with Italian Sausage (530 cal., 30 g fat, 46 g carbohydrate)
-BBQ Chicken Ranch Mac & Cheese (510 cal., 17 g fat, 64 g carbohydrate)
-Garlic Napoli Sauté with Italian Sausage and Penne Pasta (980 cal., 50 g fat, 99 g carbohydrate)
Sandwiches
These tasty sandwiches are savory and filling without being too heavy:
-Italian Submarino on Focaccia Bread (640 cal., 28 g fat, 67g carbohydrate)
-Spicy Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese Sandwich with Bacon on Ciabatta Bread (670 cal., 29 g fat, 71g carbohydrate)
Pastas
There’s something for everyone when it comes to pastas – from saucy classic dishes to creamy creations! A few examples are listed below:
-Wisconsin Mac & Cheese (590 cal., 18g fat, 83g Carbohydrate) ‑Tokyo Fire Noodles with Grilled Chicken (780 Cal., 21g Fat, 104g Carbohydrate) ‑Chow Fun Fried Rice and Grilled Asparagus with Garlic Chili Sauce(460 Cal. 18g Fat 57g Carbohydrate).
Fat Content of Noodles and Company Menu Items
The following chart provides the nutrition information for noodles and company menu items relative to fat content. Information includes total fat, saturated fat and trans fat amounts, in grams (g). Although different foods may appear to be similar in calories, it is important to pay attention to the various macronutrients that comprise those calories and how they fit into your dietary needs. Make choices with an informed understanding of the nutritional value of your food to help reach your health goals.
Total Fat Saturated Fat Trans Fat
Mac & Cheese: 17 g 8 g 0.5 g
Pad Thai: 31 g 6 g 0g
Pesto Cavatappi: 19 g 6 g 0g
Masala Mac & Cheese: 14 g 5 g 0.5g
Spaghetti Fresca: 12.5 g 4g 0.2g
Spicy Korean Noodles: 24g 7g 0g
Protein Content of Noodles and Company Menu Items
Protein is an essential macronutrient necessary for cellular growth and repair. It helps to create enzymes that allow metabolism to take place at a normal rate, which is why so many health experts recommend including protein in your diet. Knowing the amount of protein found in menu items from your favorite chain restaurant can help you make informed decisions about what foods will meet your needs. Here’s how the offerings from Noodles & Company stack up for protein content:
Mac & Cheese – 22g
Cali Alfredo – 20g
Japanese Pan Noodles – 17g
Wisconsin Mac & Cheese – 15g
Penne Rosa – 16g
Steak Stroganoff – 29g
Bowl of Soup (various types) – 8-11g
Grilled Chicken Breast Sandwich – 35g
Mediterranean Grilled Chicken Salad – 20 g
Garden Pesto Salad – 15 g
No matter what type of food you are looking for, there’s something on the menu at Noodles & Company that will provide you with enough protein. While some dishes may have higher amounts than others, all their meals can help contribute toward meeting your daily dietary requirements.
Health Benefits
Noodles & Company is an American fast-casual restaurant chain that specializes in global noodle dishes and other healthy fare. With its wide variety of menu items, the restaurant has become a popular destination for health-conscious individuals looking for a nutritious meal. In this article, we’ll look at some of the health benefits offered by Noodles & Company.
Whole Grains in Noodles and Company Menu Items
When deciding whether Noodles and Company meals qualify as a healthy choice, take a look at the menu options to find whole grain alternatives to regular noodles and pasta. Whole grains are an important part of a healthy diet because they offer more nutrition than refined grains and simple carbohydrates.
Noodles and Company uses whole wheat linguine, brown rice, orzo, quinoa, spelt noodles, udon noodles and whole wheat penne in many of their dishes. Furthermore, the Grilled Chicken Pesto Cavatappi is made with spelt cavatappi pasta which contains 2 grams of fiber per every 1 cup cooked portion. That’s about half of your daily recommended amount for dietary fiber!
In addition to these high-fiber filling carbs, Noodles and Company also offers dishes with vegetables like broccoli or diced tomatoes. Consider selecting side salads or adding vegetables into your custom-made dish when possible to boost the nutritional content further — research has found that opening up cravings for more nutrient-dense meals can be beneficial for maintaining a healthy diet overall.
Vegetarian and Vegan Options
Noodles and Company also offers several vegetarian and vegan alternatives that suit a variety of diets. The menu are clearly marked with symbols distinguishing from gluten free, vegan, lighter portions and more. The vegetarian and vegan entrees are prepared with tofu, tempeh and seitan for protein sources. These dishes also contain bold flavors of plants such as artichokes, mushrooms, greens, sundried tomatoes and more. Additionally many dishes can be customized to become vegan friendly too!
Below is a list of popular vegetarian and vegan dishes to enjoy at Noodles & Company:
-Indonesian Peanut Saute
-Vegan Mac n’ Cheese
-Penne Rosa Verde
-Japchae Korean Veggies & Noodles
-Pad Thai Tofu
-Mediterranean Flatbread (vegetarian)
-Bangkok Curry (vegan)
-Japanese Pan Noodles (can be made vegan)
Low Sodium Options
Eating low sodium meals is essential for anyone with high blood pressure, heart problems, and kidney disease. Studies have shown that people who eat a diet rich in sodium are at an increased risk for chronic illnesses. The good news is that it is possible to still get a delicious meal while keeping the amount of added salt to a minimum.
When shopping for food, look for items with “low sodium” or “no salt added” written on the label. Avoid canned foods as much as possible as these typically contain hidden sodium. Beware of convenience items such as frozen dinners and processed cheeses, which are often loaded with salt to enhance flavor and extend shelf life. Instead opt for fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables; plain, dry grains; freshly cooked meat, poultry, or fish; and healthy dairy products such as non-fat plain yogurt and skim milk without sugar or syrup added.
Whenever possible its best to avoid adding additional table salt or salts prepared condiments while cooking. Herbs and spices such as garlic powder, celery seed, Italian seasoning blend can be used instead to give dishes great flavor without the extra sodium content. Olive oil can also be used in baking recipes instead of butter which is naturally low in sodium compared to margarine which normally has high levels of salt added during production process.
By making an effort to monitor their intake of challenging foods like take-out meals high in saturated fat and processed snacks loaded with salt, it’s easy enough to reduce our overall consumption of unhealthy ingredients without sacrificing taste boning compromising on satisfaction!
Potential Health Risks
Noodles and Company is a popular restaurant chain that serves tasty meals. Although their dishes can be delicious, they may not always be the healthiest option. Many of their menu items are high in sodium, saturated fat, and sugar, which can potentially have an impact on your health. This article will look at the potential health risks associated with the meals at Noodles and Company.
High Calories in Some Menu Items
Fast food restaurants have earned a reputation for providing large portions at relatively low prices. While you may save money on a meal, it’s important to remember that the amount of calories, fat, and other unhealthy components will add up quickly. Many menu items contain unsustainably high levels of total fat and saturated fat, which can increase your risk for various health problems such as obesity, heart disease and stroke.
It’s always a good idea to check the nutrition facts label before you eat and consider looking into healthier options such as salads or grilled items instead of high-fat items like burgers or fried chicken. If you do choose to order from the main menu consider sharing your meal with another person or wrapping half of it up for later. As with all forms of eating out moderation is key for maintaining good health and avoiding potential health risks associated with consuming too many unhealthy ingredients in one meal.
High Sodium in Some Menu Items
It is important to be aware that many fast food restaurants use salt as a preservative and a flavor enhancer in their menu items, and the amount of sodium present in a single meal can far exceed the daily recommended amounts. Research has found that people who eat at fast food restaurants more than twice per week may have an increased risk of high blood pressure, stroke, and heart disease.
Additionally, overconsumption of sodium can lead to various other health issues including digestion problems, dehydration, muscle pain, headaches and fluid retention. It’s important to pay close attention to the nutrition information for menu items before making your meal order. Choose lower-sodium menu items such as salads with dressing on the side or side dishes like steamed vegetables rather than heavy sandwich fillings or fried foods. Whenever possible, choose grilled instead of fried options and opt for water instead of soda or energy drinks.
High Fat in Some Menu Items
Noodles and Company is a fast-casual restaurant chain with a number of menu offerings. While there are healthy options available, some of the items may be high in fat or sodium, making them less healthy choices.
Those trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle may want to consider avoiding certain dishes or opting for lighter versions of those they are interested in. Here are some common menu items that can be high in fat or sodium:
-Macaroni and Cheese: 17g of fat per serving.
-Grilled Chicken Alfredo Fettuccine: 27g of fat per serving.
-Italian Sausage Rigatoni: 19g of fat per serving.
-Wisconsin Mac & Cheese Bowls: 18g of fat per serving .
-Pasta Ratatouille Bowls : 43mg of sodium per serving.
-Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese Bowls : 34g of fat per serving .
It’s important to remember that not all menu items are created equal when it comes to their health benefits, so it’s important to take the time to read nutrition labels if you’re looking for more healthy meals when dining at Noodles and Company.
Conclusion
After considering the nutritional information, ingredients, and customer feedbacks, it’s fair to conclude that while some menu items at Noodles and Company can be healthy options, it’s not always the healthiest fast food restaurant to choose. The options are mostly carb-heavy and high in sodium, so it’s important to check the nutrition facts before eating any menu item. That being said, it is a great option to have if you need a quick meal that you can feel good about eating.
Summary of Health Benefits and Risks of Eating at Noodles and Company
Eating at Noodles and Company can be both beneficial and hazardous to your health. On one hand, a visit to this restaurant can provide you with a wide selection of healthful ingredients like wholesome grains, lean proteins, fresh vegetables, and healthy fats. However, some of the menu items may carry risks as well due to their high sodium and fat content.
The health benefits of eating at Noodles & Company include access to fresh produce and low-fat ingredients. Most of the dishes on their menu are prepared on-site with “Whole Grain” pasta, which is high in fiber, vitamins, minerals and energy-providing B vitamins. Meals also can be made vegan or vegetarian with Good Earth veggie broth base avaiable for substitute instead of chicken stock in many dishes. Additionally, most dishes offer a variety of healthy toppings such as sliced almonds for added crunch or sunflower seeds for more flavor and nutrients.
On the other hand, it should also be noted that many menu items contain high levels of sodium due to their use of sauces such as soy sauce or teriyaki marinade; thus increasing potential risks associated with developing high blood pressure. Furthermore, certain entrees include meats like bacon or sausage which are often high in fat calories while providing very little nutrients or antioxidants that could counteract potential harm caused by consuming unhealthy fats or processed proteins found in these particular menu items.
In summary, when eating at Noodles & Company it is important eat responsibly by choosing options that are not deep fried or loaded with unhealthy fats – a variety steamed vegetables is typically a good place start when building a meal here – as well checking nutritional information about sodium content before ordering so that your meal does not exceed your recommended daily salt intake. All in all, if chosen wisely there are plenty of healthful choices available from this restaurant chain that could help you maintain an overall balanced diet without compromising taste and convenience!
