This summer Wendy’s launched a new salad campaign that promised to improve value and flavor. But the questions remains, what about nutrition? So off to Wendy’s I went to try the most creative and reinvented salad, the Baja.
This new garden salad sensation is an improvement from the taste of the former Southwest Taco Salad. I enjoyed the spicy Pico de Gallo but thought the guacamole was a little flat. The cost was far from an improvement, with an investment of $9.80 including tax (PEI) for this bowl/dish.
And so for nutrition this was even more disappointing then the inflated price. This salad, when eaten “as is with no dressing” is a whopping 47 grams of fat. For the record, that’s more fat then I eat in 1 day. It boasts 740 calories, with over ½ of them coming from fat. With slightly under 2000mg sodium, this salad is a HUGE no-no. I would never recommend my clients on See Results eat it.
It’s also important to note the several ingredients found in this salad, which has been copied from the Wendy’s website.
Baja Salad
Iceberg, Romaine and Spring Mix, Pico de Gallo, Wendy’s Chili, Guacamole, Cheddar & Pepper Jack Cheese Blend.
Spring Mix- Baby Lettuces (red & green Romaine, red & green oak, red & green leaf, lolla Rosa, tango), Spinach, Mizuna Arugula, Tatsoi, Red Chard, Green Chard.
Pico de Gallo- Tomatoes, Onions, Pico de Gallo Base (water, soybean oil, distilled vinegar, jalapeno peppers [including dehydrated], lime puree [lime juice concentrate, water, pulp cells, lime oil, lime peel], salt, concentrated lime juice, xanthan gum, onion [dehydrated], garlic [dehydrated], natural flavors, oleoresin rosemary), Cilantro.
Wendy’s Chili- Chili Base (water, tomatoes, salt, citric acid, calcium chloride), Ground Beef, Vegetable Mix (onions, celery, green peppers), Chili Beans (beans, water, sugar, corn syrup, salt, natural flavorings, onion powder, calcium chloride), Kidney Beans (kidney beans, water, sugar, corn syrup, salt, natural flavorings, onion powder, calcium chloride, disodium EDTA [preservative]), Chili Seasoning (sugar, salt, modified corn starch, chili pepper, onion powder, spices, dextrose, garlic powder, citric acid, disodium inosinate & guanylate, xanthan gum, autolyzed yeast extract, soybean oil, caramel color, extractives of paprika, malic acid, red 40, natural and artificial flavor, silicon dioxide [anticaking agent]).
Guacamole- Hass Avocado, Tomato, Onion, Jalapeno, Salt, Cilantro, Sugar, Erythorbic Acid and/or Ascorbic Acid (to maintain color), Jalapeno Chili Powder, Garlic (dehydrated), Onion (dehydrated) , Citric Acid, Lime Juice Powder.
Cheddar & Pepper Jack Cheese Blend- Cheddar Cheese (cultured pasteurized milk, salt, enzymes, artificial color, potato starch and powdered cellulose [to prevent caking], natamycin [a natural mold inhibitor]), Monterey Jack Cheese with Jalapeno Peppers (cultured pasteurized milk, jalapeno peppers, salt, enzyme, potato starch and powdered cellulose [to prevent caking], natamycin [a natural mold inhibitor]). CONTAINS: MILK
Seasoned Tortilla Strips- Whole Corn, Vegetable Oil (contains one or more of the following: corn, soybean, sunflower or cottonseed oil), Sea Salt, Corn Maltodextrin, Buttermilk Powder, Spice, Tomato Powder, Sweet Cream, Onion Powder, Cheddar Cheese (milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes), Sugar, Gum Arabic, Vinegar Solids, Nonfat Milk Solids, Rice Concentrate, Garlic Powder, Natural Flavor, Citric Acid, Extractives of Paprika, Disodium Phosphate, Soy Lecithin. CONTAINS: MILK, SOY.
So the proof is in the poor nutrition and inflated, and the price. This new salad sensation is a HUGE flop, in taste, price and nutrition. If you must choose a Wendy’s salad try the apple pecan chicken salad for a flavorful and lower fat meal.
Overall this salad gets 2 out of 5 stars,
Have you tried the new Wendy’s salads? I would love to know your thoughts. Please post your comments below.