Cub Meals Calculator

Hey guys! So today I’m gonna tell you all about the Panda Express Cub Meal because honestly its one of the best kids meals you can get at any fast food resturant. Whether your a kid yourself or a parent looking for something healthy for your children, this guide will tell you everything you need to know. Alot of people don’t realize how good these meals actually are, so let me break it all down for you!

What Exactly Is a Cub Meal?

Okay so basically the Panda Cub Meal is Panda Express’s kids meal option. Its designed specifically for children and was actually created based on USDA dietary recommendations, which is pretty cool if you ask me. Most fast food places just make there kids meals smaller versions of regular food, but Panda Express actually put alot of thought into making these healthy.

What Comes In a Cub Meal:

• 1 Junior Entree (smaller portion of a main dish)
• 1 Junior Side (rice, noodles, or veggies)
• 1 Fruit Side (Tree Top Apple Crisps – made from 100% real fruit!)
• 1 Drink (bottled water or Honest Kids juice)

The whole meal is designed to be under 600 calories, has at least 11 grams of protein, includes vegetables, and doesn’t have any high fructose corn syrup. Thats actually really impressive for fast food!

The Three Official Cub Meal Options

So Panda Express originally launched with three set meal combinations, but now they let you customize them too (I’ll explain that later). Here’s the three original combos:

Option 1: Orange Chicken Cub Meal

What You Get:

• Orange Chicken (junior portion)
• Half Super Greens + Half White Steamed Rice
• Tree Top Apple Crisps
• Bottled water or kids juice

Calories: Around 470-520 calories (depending on drink choice)

My Thoughts: This is definitely the most popular one! Orange chicken is literally THE most famous dish at Panda Express so of course kids love it. The sweet tangy sauce is amazing and the chicken is crispy. Plus mixing super greens with rice is smart because kids get there vegetables but also get some carbs to fill them up.

Option 2: Grilled Teriyaki Chicken Cub Meal

What You Get:

• Grilled Teriyaki Chicken (junior portion)
• Half Super Greens + Half Chow Mein
• Tree Top Apple Crisps
• Bottled water or kids juice

Calories: Around 480-530 calories

My Thoughts: This is the healthiest option because teriyaki chicken is grilled, not fried! The chow mein adds some nice flavor and the teriyaki sauce is sweet but not too sweet. If your a parent whos really focused on health, this is probably the best choice.

Option 3: Broccoli Beef Cub Meal

What You Get:

• Broccoli Beef (junior portion)
• Half Super Greens + Half White Steamed Rice
• Tree Top Apple Crisps
• Bottled water or kids juice

Calories: Around 450-500 calories

My Thoughts: Okay so this one is underrated! Broccoli beef has ALOT of vegetables in it already (like the name suggests lol), plus you get even more veggies from the super greens. Its not as popular as orange chicken but its really good and probably the healthiest overall option.

Can You Customize Your Cub Meal?

YES! This is the best part. While those three are the “official” cub meal combos, most Panda Express locations will let you customize and pick different entrees and sides. According to there website, “Substitution of any side, entrée and beverage are allowed by request.”

Entrees You Can Usually Choose From:

• Orange Chicken (most popular!)
• Grilled Teriyaki Chicken
• Broccoli Beef
• String Bean Chicken
• SweetFire Chicken
• Black Pepper Chicken
• Sometimes other options depending on location

Sides You Can Usually Choose From:

• Chow Mein
• Fried Rice
• White Steamed Rice
• Brown Steamed Rice
• Super Greens
• Half and half combinations!

Drinks:

• Honest Kids juice (various flavors)
• Bottled water
• Sometimes milk at certain locations

The ability to customize is awesome because not every kid likes the same things. Like if your kid hates vegetables, you could do fried rice instead of super greens (although I’d recommend trying to sneak in at least half super greens lol).

How Much Does a Cub Meal Cost?

The price varies a little bit depending on where you live, but here’s what you can expect:

Average Price: $7.20

Some sources say it can be as low as $6.10 or as high as $8.25 depending on your location and what you customize. But generally its around $7-8 which is pretty reasonable for a kids meal that includes a drink and fruit!

For comparison:

• McDonald’s Happy Meal: $4-5 (but less healthy)
• Chick-fil-A Kids Meal: $5-6
• Chipotle Kids Meal: $6-7

So Panda Express is slightly more expensive than some places but you get way more food and its healthier, so I think its worth it.

Nutritional Information Breakdown

Let me give you all the nutrition facts so you know exactly what your getting:

General Cub Meal Nutrition:

Total Calories: 300-740 calories (depending on choices)

• Most combinations are 450-550 calories
• The range is so big because different entrees and drinks have different calories

Protein: At least 11 grams, usually 15-25 grams

• Orange chicken: ~15g protein
• Teriyaki chicken: ~20g protein
• Broccoli beef: ~12g protein

Fiber: Excellent source of fiber

• Super greens adds tons of fiber
• Apple crisps are made from real fruit with fiber

No High Fructose Corn Syrup: This is HUGE! Most kids meals at other places have drinks and sides loaded with HFCS, but Panda Express specifically avoids it.

Vegetables: Every meal includes vegetables

• Either super greens mixed in the side
• Or broccoli in the entree
• Much more veggies than typical fast food

Specific Entree Nutrition (Junior Portions):

Orange Chicken:

• Calories: ~240
• Protein: 15g
• Fat: 13g
• Carbs: 18g

Grilled Teriyaki Chicken:

• Calories: ~180
• Protein: 20g
• Fat: 7g
• Carbs: 15g

Broccoli Beef:

• Calories: ~120
• Protein: 12g
• Fat: 5g
• Carbs: 10g

Side Nutrition (Junior Portions):

Chow Mein (junior):

• Calories: 270
• Fat: 12g
• Carbs: 36g
• Protein: 5g

Fried Rice (junior):

• Calories: ~260
• Fat: 8g
• Carbs: 44g
• Protein: 5g

White Steamed Rice (junior):

• Calories: ~190
• Fat: 0g
• Carbs: 43g
• Protein: 4g

Super Greens (junior):

• Calories: ~65
• Fat: 2g
• Carbs: 8g
• Protein: 5g

Extras:

Tree Top Apple Crisps:

• Calories: 35
• Made from 100% real fruit
• No added sugar!

Honest Kids Juice:

• Calories: 35-40
• No high fructose corn syrup
• Lower sugar than most juice boxes

Bottled Water:

• Calories: 0 (obviously lol)

Why The Cub Meal Is Actually Healthy

Okay so let me explain why the Cub Meal is way better than most fast food kids meals:

1. Created Based On USDA Guidelines These meals were literally designed using the United States Department of Agriculture’s dietary recommendations for children. Most fast food places just wing it, but Panda Express actually worked with nutrition experts.

2. Kids LiveWell Certified The Cub Meals are approved by the National Restaurant Association’s Kids LiveWell Program. This is a big deal – it means registered dietitians and public health experts reviewed these meals and certified there actually healthy for kids.

3. Balanced Macros Every meal has a good balance of protein, carbs, and veggies. Your not just getting fried food and soda like at alot of places.

4. Real Fruit Included The Tree Top Apple Crisps are made from 100% real apples with no added sugar. Most kids meals give you fries or chips as the side, but this gives you actual fruit!

5. Under 600 Calories All three set meals come in under 600 calories, which is the right amount for a kids lunch. For comparison, a Happy Meal with a cheeseburger, fries, and soda can be 700+ calories.

6. No Artificial Junk Part of Panda Express’s “Panda Promise” is to remove artificial colors and flavors. So what your kid is eating is higher quality than most fast food.

7. Vegetables In Every Meal Whether its super greens in the side or broccoli in the entree, every cub meal has vegetables. Try finding that at McDonald’s lol.

Best Cub Meal Combinations (My Opinion)

Based on nutrition and taste, here’s what I think are the best combinations:

For Maximum Health:

Grilled Teriyaki Chicken + Super Greens + Apple Crisps + Water

• Lowest calories (~350)
• Highest protein (20g)
• Grilled not fried
• Maximum vegetables
• Zero added sugar from drinks

This is literally one of the healthiest fast food kids meals you can get anywhere!

For Picky Eaters:

Orange Chicken + Fried Rice + Apple Crisps + Juice

• Most kid-friendly flavors
• Sweet sauce kids love
• Familiar rice side
• Still includes fruit!
• Still under 600 calories

Even the “less healthy” option is still pretty good compared to other fast food!

For Balanced Nutrition:

Broccoli Beef + Half Super Greens/Half White Rice + Apple Crisps + Water

• Good protein (12g)
• Tons of vegetables
• Some carbs from rice
• Medium calories (~450)
• Teaches kids to eat veggies

This is what I’d recommend for most kids!

For Big Appetites:

Orange Chicken + Chow Mein + Apple Crisps + Juice

• Most filling option
• Around 550-600 calories
• Good protein (15g)
• Kids love the noodles
• Still includes fruit

If your kid is really active or really hungry, this combo will fill them up!

How Does Cub Meal Compare To Other Kids Meals?

Let me compare the Cub Meal to kids meals from other popular restaurants:

vs. McDonald’s Happy Meal

Panda Express Wins Because:

• More vegetables (Happy Meal has basically none)
• Real fruit instead of fries
• No high fructose corn syrup
• Better quality protein
• More balanced nutrition

McDonald’s Wins Because:

• Cheaper ($4-5 vs $7-8)
• Comes with a toy
• More locations

Verdict: Panda Express is way healthier but costs more.

vs. Chick-fil-A Kids Meal

Panda Express Wins Because:

• More variety in entrees
• Includes vegetables in every meal
• Real fruit side
• Similar nutrition but more options

Chick-fil-A Wins Because:

• Slightly cheaper
• Grilled nuggets are very healthy
• Faster service usually

Verdict: Pretty close! Both are good healthy options. Chick-fil-A might be better if you want chicken nuggets, Panda is better if you want more variety.

vs. Chipotle Kids Meal

Panda Express Wins Because:

• Pre-balanced meals (easier for parents)
• Includes fruit automatically
• Under 600 calories guaranteed
• Kids LiveWell certified

Chipotle Wins Because:

• More customizable
• Fresh ingredients
• Similar price

Verdict: Both are healthy! Chipotle is better if you want total control, Panda is better if you want an easy pre-made healthy option.

vs. Traditional Fast Food (Burger King, Wendy’s, etc.)

Panda Express DESTROYS Them Because:

• Way more vegetables
• Real fruit included
• No high fructose corn syrup
• Better quality ingredients
• Actual nutrition guidelines followed
• Much more balanced

Honestly theres no competition here. Panda Express kids meals are WAY healthier than traditional fast food kids meals.

Tips For Ordering Cub Meals

Here’s some pro tips I’ve learned:

1. Ask About Freshness Ask if the entree your ordering was just made. Fresh orange chicken is SO much better than orange chicken thats been sitting for an hour.

2. Request Extra Veggies You can usually ask for extra super greens at no charge! More veggies never hurt anyone.

3. Try The Half And Half Don’t be afraid to do half super greens and half rice/noodles. It balances health with taste perfectly.

4. Skip The Juice If your kid will drink water, save those 40 calories. Plus its better for there teeth!

5. Share The Fruit If you have multiple kids, the apple crisps are actually pretty big. They might be able to share one packet.

6. Order Online Use the app or website to customize exactly what you want without feeling rushed at the counter.

7. Time It Right Go during lunch rush (11:30am-1:30pm) when everything is fresh. Food quality is way better.

8. Ask About Other Entrees Some locations might offer other kid-friendly entrees not on the “official” menu. Doesn’t hurt to ask!

Common Questions Parents Ask

Q: Is the Cub Meal actually healthy? A: Yes! Its one of the healthiest kids meals at any fast food chain. Created using USDA guidelines and certified by Kids LiveWell program.

Q: How big are the portions? A: Junior portions are about 60-70% of a regular adult portion. Perfect size for kids aged 5-12.

Q: Can my kid get orange chicken with chow mein? A: Usually yes! Most locations allow customization even though its not one of the three “official” combos.

Q: What if my kid has allergies? A: Tell the staff! Orange chicken contains wheat and soy. Chow mein contains wheat. Fried rice contains eggs and soy. Super greens and rice are usually safer options.

Q: Is there a toy included? A: No, Cub Meals don’t come with toys. But they sometimes come with activity sheets or educational materials about nutrition!

Q: Can adults order a Cub Meal? A: Yeah technically! Some adults order them if there not super hungry or watching calories. No age limit lol.

Q: What age is the Cub Meal designed for? A: Generally kids aged 5-12, but any kid (or adult) can order one.

Q: Do all locations have Cub Meals? A: Most locations in the US and Canada have them, but its worth calling ahead if your not sure.

Q: Can I get the fruit side by itself? A: Usually no, the apple crisps only come with the Cub Meal. But you could always ask nicely!

Q: Is the juice healthy? A: Honest Kids juice has no high fructose corn syrup and less sugar than most juice boxes, so its definitely better than average. But water is always the healthiest choice!

Allergen Information

This is super important if your kid has food allergies:

Orange Chicken Contains:

• Wheat (in breading)
• Soy (in sauce)
• May contain eggs

Grilled Teriyaki Chicken Contains:

• Soy (in teriyaki sauce)

Broccoli Beef Contains:

• Soy (in sauce)
• Wheat (in sauce)

Chow Mein Contains:

• Wheat (noodles)
• Soy

Fried Rice Contains:

• Eggs
• Soy

White/Brown Steamed Rice:

• Generally allergen-free!

Super Greens:

• Contains soy (in seasoning)

Apple Crisps:

• Made from 100% apples
• Generally safe for most allergies

Important: Everything is cooked on shared equipment, so there’s always a risk of cross-contamination. If your kid has severe allergies, make sure to tell the staff!

The Story Behind Cub Meals

So I thought it was interesting to learn about why Panda Express created these meals. Here’s the background:

In 2021, Panda Express realized that most fast food kids meals weren’t very healthy. Parents wanted better options but didn’t have alot of choices. So Andrea Cherng (the Chief Brand Officer) worked with nutrition experts to create meals based on actual USDA dietary recommendations for children.

The goal was to make meals that:

1. Tasted good enough that kids would actually eat them
2. Were healthy enough that parents could feel good about ordering them
3. Included vegetables and fruit
4. Had balanced nutrition with protein, carbs, and fiber
5. Avoided artificial junk and high fructose corn syrup

They launched the three set meals in November 2021 and became the first restaurant chain to serve Tree Top Apple Crisps (made from 100% real fruit with no added sugar) with kids meals.

The meals were immediately approved by the National Restaurant Association’s Kids LiveWell Program, which is a big deal because registered dietitians have to review and approve the meals.

Since then, they’ve expanded to allow more customization while keeping the same health standards. Pretty cool how much thought went into these!

What Makes The Fruit Side Special

Okay so the Tree Top Apple Crisps deserve there own section because there actually really unique:

What They Are:

• Made from 100% real apples
• No added sugar
• Freeze-dried to keep nutrients
• Crunchy texture kids love
• Naturally sweet

Why There Better Than Typical Fast Food Fruit:

• Most places just give you apple slices (boring)
• Or fruit cups in syrup (loaded with added sugar)
• Tree Top Apple Crisps are crunchy like chips, so kids actually enjoy eating them
• No preservatives or artificial ingredients

Nutrition Facts:

• Only 35 calories
• 0g fat
• 9g carbs (all from natural fruit sugar)
• 1g fiber
• Counts as one serving of fruit!

Panda Express was actually the first fast food chain to serve these with kids meals, which is pretty innovative if you ask me.

DIY Cub Meal At Home

Wanna make your own version at home? Here’s how:

Homemade Orange Chicken Junior Portion

Ingredients:

• 4 oz chicken breast, cubed
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tsp cornstarch
• Vegetable oil for frying

Instructions:

1. Mix orange juice, soy sauce, honey, and cornstarch for sauce
2. Coat chicken in light batter or flour
3. Fry chicken pieces until crispy
4. Toss in orange sauce
5. Serve with steamed broccoli and rice

Homemade Apple Crisps

Ingredients:

• 2 apples, sliced thin
• Cinnamon (optional)

Instructions:

1. Slice apples super thin (use mandolin if you have one)
2. Lay on baking sheet
3. Bake at 200°F for 2 hours until crispy
4. Sprinkle with cinnamon if desired

Its actually pretty easy to recreate the Cub Meal at home if you want to save money!

Is The Cub Meal Worth It?

Okay so here’s my final verdict:

For Parents: YES, Absolutely! If your looking for a healthy fast food option for your kids, the Cub Meal is literally one of the best choices available. Its designed by nutrition experts, includes vegetables and fruit, has balanced nutrition, and avoids the junk thats in most kids meals.

Yes, its slightly more expensive than a Happy Meal ($7-8 vs $4-5), but the quality and nutrition are SO much better. Your basically paying $2-3 extra for your kid to eat vegetables, real fruit, and avoid high fructose corn syrup. Totally worth it in my opinion!

For Kids: Depends On Your Taste If you like Chinese food, youll probably love it! Orange chicken is super popular with kids. But if your a really picky eater who only wants chicken nuggets and fries, this might not be for you.

The good news is that even picky eaters usually like at least one option (orange chicken is sweet and fried, so most kids enjoy it). And parents can usually get them to eat the veggies by mixing them with rice.

Compared To Other Fast Food:

• Healthier than McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s (by alot)
• Similar health to Chick-fil-A
• Slightly healthier than Chipotle (because its pre-balanced)
• More expensive than most traditional fast food
• Better value than some “healthy” fast casual places

Final Thoughts

So yeah, thats everything I know about Panda Express Cub Meals! After researching all this, I’m honestly really impressed with how much effort Panda Express put into making these meals actually healthy while still tasting good.

The fact that there based on USDA guidelines, certified by the Kids LiveWell program, include vegetables and real fruit, and avoid high fructose corn syrup makes them one of the best fast food kids meal options available. Yes there more expensive than a Happy Meal, but the quality and nutrition justify the price.

If I was a parent, I’d definately feel good about ordering Cub Meals for my kids. And if I was a kid, I’d be happy eating them because orange chicken is delicious lol.

My Top Recommendations:

Most Balanced: Broccoli Beef with half super greens/half rice Healthiest: Grilled Teriyaki Chicken with super greens Tastiest: Orange Chicken with chow mein Best For Picky Eaters: Orange Chicken with fried rice

Weather your a parent looking for healthy options or a kid who just wants something that tastes good, the Cub Meal has options for everyone. And honestly, compared to other fast food kids meals, its in a league of its own when it comes to nutrition.

So next time your at Panda Express with kids, definately consider getting them a Cub Meal instead of just ordering a regular bowl. Your kids will enjoy it and youll feel good knowing there eating something nutritious!

Have you tried the Panda Express Cub Meal? What did you think? Let me know in the comments! And if you haven’t tried it yet, I definitely recommend giving it a shot!