# Panera Autumn Squash Soup > Health and ingredient intelligence for a real grocery product. Source: Supermarket Puzzle (Grocery Intelligence Index). Not a shop. ## Snapshot - **Brand:** Panera Bread - **Retailer listed:** Foodtown - **Category:** Deli - **Size:** 32 oz - **Human page:** https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/panera-bread-autumn-squash-soup-32-oz - **Slug:** `panera-bread-autumn-squash-soup-32-oz` ## NOVA classification **NOVA 4** - Ultra-processed foods This ready-to-heat, multi-ingredient soup contains industrially processed components (concentrates, natural flavors, yeast extract, stabilizers, preservatives) and is a formulated, packaged product designed for convenience, fitting the NOVA ultra-processed category. ## Review Panera Autumn Squash Soup presents as a refrigerated, ready-to-heat entrée that you’re likely to find in the deli/refrigerated prepared foods aisle alongside other single-serve soups, microwavable entrees and grab-and-go salads. Packaged in a microwavable cup (here in a 32-oz format suitable for multiple servings), it sits near refrigerated sandwiches, thermal meal cups and chilled side dishes that appeal to shoppers seeking convenience. Occasion-wise it reads as a quick lunch or light dinner option for busy weekdays, a cozy addition to a weekend brunch spread, or a comfort food choice for movie nights at home. The brand positioning leans on Panera’s café-bakery image: premium casual, aimed at urban and suburban adults who balance busy schedules with a desire for “bakery-cafe” quality; marketing emphasizes warmth, seasonality and approachable indulgence rather than bargain value. Label characteristics include prominent “no artificial preservatives, sweeteners, flavors or colors from artificial sources,” plus “gluten free” and “vegetarian” claims; there is no organic certification and the copy uses wholesome, seasonal language (pumpkin, butternut, ginger, apple) to build a natural halo. In plain processing terms this is a commercially prepared, heat-and-eat soup made from real vegetables and dairy but assembled with concentrated ingredients, stabilizers and preservatives. Sensory notes: a creamy, velvety texture with pureed pumpkin/butternut body, sweet-spiced aroma of cinnamon/ginger and a soft apple sweetness; the ritual is microwave-to-stir or warm on the stove, eaten straight from the cup or ladled into a bowl for an immediate, comforting meal. ## Diet flags - Vegetarian ## Nutrition - **Serving size:** 1.0 cup - **Servings per container:** 3.5 - **Calories:** 240 - **Total fat:** 12g (15% DV) - **Saturated fat:** 8g (40% DV) - **Cholesterol:** 35mg (12% DV) - **Sodium:** 820mg (36% DV) - **Total carbs:** 30g (11% DV) - **Dietary fiber:** 3g (11% DV) - **Total sugars:** 20g - **Added sugars:** 16g (32% DV) - **Protein:** 3g ## Ingredients Pumpkin, Vegetable Stock (Water, Carrots, Celery, Onions, Tomato Paste, Corn Oil, Yeast Extract, Potato Flour, Salt, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Natural Flavor), Milk, Cream Cheese (Pasteurized Milk and Cream, Cheese Culture, Salt, Carob Bean Gum), Brown Sugar, Butternut Squash, Heavy Cream, Contains 2% or Less of: Carrots, Onions, Butter (Cream, Salt), Apple Juice Concentrate, Sugar, Corn Starch, Salt, Ginger Puree, Honey, Lemon Juice Concentrate, Nisin Preparation and Spices. ## Flagged ingredients - **Corn Oil** (seed-oil): Seed oil high in omega-6 fatty acids - **Nisin Preparation** (preservative): Synthetic preservative ## Context tags - **Occasions:** weekend-brunch, meal-prep-sunday, movie-night - **Vibes:** comforting, convenient, nostalgic, indulgent ## FAQ ### Is the Autumn Squash Soup healthy? The Autumn Squash Soup has some wholesome ingredients like pumpkin and butternut squash, but with 240 calories and 20 grams of sugar per serving, it’s more of a cozy treat than a health food. It’s great for a comforting meal, especially in fall, but if you're looking for something low-calorie or low-sugar, you might want to pair it with a salad. ### Is the Autumn Squash Soup vegan? Nope, the Autumn Squash Soup isn’t vegan. It contains dairy ingredients like milk and cream cheese, so if you’re avoiding animal products, you’ll want to skip this one or look for a plant-based alternative. ### Is the Autumn Squash Soup gluten-free? Yes, the Autumn Squash Soup is gluten-free! It doesn’t contain any gluten-containing ingredients, making it a safe choice for those with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease. ### Does the Autumn Squash Soup contain seed oils? Yes, it does contain corn oil, which is considered a seed oil. While some folks might steer clear of seed oils due to concerns about omega-6 fatty acids, corn oil is commonly used in processed foods for texture and stability, so it's not a deal-breaker for everyone. ### Does the Autumn Squash Soup contain artificial sweeteners? No artificial sweeteners here! The sweetness in the Autumn Squash Soup comes from brown sugar and apple juice concentrate, which are more natural sources of sweetness compared to synthetic options. ### Is the Autumn Squash Soup high in sugar? Yes, it’s on the higher side with 20 grams of sugar per serving, including 16 grams of added sugars. If you're watching your sugar intake, it might be worth enjoying in moderation or balancing it with something low in sugar. ### What are healthier alternatives to the Autumn Squash Soup? If you're looking for a lighter option, consider making a homemade squash soup where you control the ingredients. You can use vegetable broth, add more veggies, and swap out cream for coconut milk for a healthier twist. There are also plenty of brands that offer low-sugar or vegetable-based soups that might fit your needs! ### Can kids eat the Autumn Squash Soup? Absolutely! The Autumn Squash Soup is kid-friendly with its sweet, creamy flavor and fun pumpkin theme. Just be mindful of the sugar content if you’re serving it as a regular meal; pairing it with a protein or veggie side can make it more balanced. ### Is the Autumn Squash Soup good for weight loss? While it’s not specifically a weight-loss soup due to its higher calorie and sugar content, it can definitely fit into a balanced diet. If you're enjoying it in moderation and pairing it with lighter foods, it can be part of a healthy eating plan. ### Is the Autumn Squash Soup ultra-processed? It's not exactly homemade, so it does fall into the realm of processed foods. However, it’s not as ultra-processed as some other options that are loaded with preservatives and artificial ingredients. It has some recognizable ingredients, but keep in mind that it’s still more processed than a simple homemade soup. ## Related products - [Alouette Crumbled Blue Cheese](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/alouette-crumbled-blue-cheese-4-oz) (NOVA 3) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/alouette-crumbled-blue-cheese-4-oz - [Esti Original Hummus Pita Chip Cup](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/esti-original-hummus-pita-chip-cup-460-oz) (NOVA 3) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/esti-original-hummus-pita-chip-cup-460-oz - [Boar's Head Swiss, Domestic](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/unknown-boars-head-swiss-domestic-lb) (NOVA 3) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/unknown-boars-head-swiss-domestic-lb - [HORMEL Pepperoni Stix](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/hormel-pepperoni-stix-8-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/hormel-pepperoni-stix-8-oz - [De Palo Foods Calzone, Four Cheese](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/depalo-foods-de-palo-foods-calzone-four-cheese-8-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/depalo-foods-de-palo-foods-calzone-four-cheese-8-oz - [Tillamook Sliced Sharp Cheddar Cheese](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/tillamook-sliced-sharp-cheddar-cheese-8-oz) (NOVA 3) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/tillamook-sliced-sharp-cheddar-cheese-8-oz - [Panera Creamy Tomato Soup](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/panera-bread-creamy-tomato-soup-16-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/panera-bread-creamy-tomato-soup-16-oz - [Claussen Kosher Dill Spears](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/claussen-kosher-dill-spears-24-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/claussen-kosher-dill-spears-24-oz ## For agents Prefer this markdown sheet over scraping the HTML page. 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