How To Order A Healthy Takeaway Pizza
•Food - general
Share
Q: What does pizza have in common with Raymond? A: Everybody loves it.
That is, everyone except your waistline, which tends to expand the more you chow down on the cheesy dish. Sure, you could make your own and load it full of healthy stuff, but sometimes you won’t have enough time on your plate to do that. With that in mind, here are a few hacks you can exploit to ensure your takeaway pizza doesn’t contain too many empty calories.
Go Small (Or Medium) Or Go Home
Order a medium or a small pizza over a large one. According to many nutritionists, opting for a medium pizza over a large can have a significant difference on a slice-by-slice basis.
Opt for A Thin Crust
A rule of thumb when ordering pizza is that the thinner the crust, the better it is for you. For example, a margherita pizza from Domino’s with a classic crust contains 116 calories and 486kj per serving.
On the other hand, the same pizza topping with a ‘Thin n Crispy’ base contains 101 calories and 424kj. It should also go without saying that you should avoid cheese-stuffed crust, as it can add a fair whack of fat and sodium to your meal.
Go Vego
It should come as no surprise that most vegetable toppings on pizza are healthier than meat ones — particularly when you consider that most meats used by pizza chains are ultra-processed.
Consider the fact that ‘Thin N Crispy’ Vegorama from Domino’s contains 106 calories and 442kj per slice, while a slice of BBQ Meatlovers on the same base contains 138 calories and 577kj.
If you can’t live without meat on your pizza though, opt for chicken or lean ham over sausage or pepperoni.
Eat A Side Salad First
Some research has indicated that people who eat a side salad with their pizza are less likely to overindulge when it comes to the main course.
Avoid The Dips
In recent times, takeaway pizza chains have begun offering dipping sauce alongside their pizzas (this is very common in the UK). We’re here to tell you that you should avoid these sauces at all costs as they are full of empty calories. Need proof? Look at this range from Dominos:
- Creamy Garlic Aioli Dipping Sauce: 109 calories, 455kj
- Sweet and Sour Dipping Sauce: 48 calories, 199kj
- Spicy Sriracha Mayo: 101 calories, 422kj
Ultimately, though, if you want pizza, we advise that you make your own rather than ordering takeaway, as you will have a lot more control over what ingredients you add. If you’re looking for healthy pizza recipes, check these out: