A Nutritional Guide: Who Has the Healthiest Pizza Chain?

November 7, 2025 •

4 min read

According to a 2025 report by Delish, specific thin-crust vegetable pizza options from major chains like Pizza Hut and Domino's can offer slices with as few as 100-120 calories, proving that pizza can be a moderate indulgence. When it comes to determining who has the healthiest pizza chain, the answer is less about the brand itself and more about the intelligent choices a customer makes when ordering.

Quick Summary

Comparing the nutritional content of major pizza chains reveals that the healthiest choice depends on crust, toppings, and portion size. Options like California Pizza Kitchen's veggie pizza and Domino's thin crust with spinach and mushrooms stand out for their lower calorie and sodium content. Customization is key to making any pizza a healthier meal.

Key Points

Choose the right crust: Opting for a thin crust significantly lowers the carb and calorie count compared to deep-dish or stuffed crust.
Prioritize vegetable toppings: Loading your pizza with veggies like spinach, mushrooms, and bell peppers adds fiber and nutrients while keeping calories low.
Go light on cheese: Requesting less cheese or a lighter portion can drastically reduce saturated fat and sodium content without sacrificing flavor.
Pick lean proteins: Select grilled chicken or Canadian bacon over high-fat, processed meats like pepperoni or sausage to cut down on calories and sodium.
Customize your order: Most chains, including Domino's and Mod Pizza, allow for extensive customization, empowering you to control the nutritional profile.
Consider alternative crusts: Some chains offer cauliflower or gluten-free crust options, though it's important to compare their nutritional facts with standard thin crust.

Most people assume pizza is an unhealthy food, but with careful selections, it can be part of a balanced diet. The healthiest chain is the one that offers the most customizable options with lower-calorie bases, an abundance of fresh vegetables, and sensible portion sizes. Chains like California Pizza Kitchen (CPK), Papa Murphy's, and Domino's all feature menu items and customization options that can make a pizza a more nutritious meal.

Leading Chains and Their Healthiest Options

California Pizza Kitchen (CPK)

CPK is often highlighted for its lighter and more health-conscious menu items. Their California Veggie Pizza on a crispy thin crust is a strong contender, delivering a low-calorie, low-sodium, and low-saturated fat option per slice. They also offer alternatives like cauliflower crust, which, while not always lower in calories or fat than regular thin crust, provides a gluten-free choice for those with dietary restrictions.

Papa Murphy's

Papa Murphy's take-and-bake model offers a unique advantage: you can control the final ingredients. Their thin crust pizzas, such as the Herb Chicken Mediterranean or Garden Veggie, are noted for having good nutritional balance. A single slice of their thin-crust veggie pizza offers a respectable amount of protein and manageable calories and sodium. Cooking it at home also means you can add your own fresh, low-sodium additions before baking.

Domino's Pizza

Domino's offers a wide range of customization, allowing customers to build a healthier pizza by selecting the right ingredients. Opting for a small Crunchy Thin Crust with light cheese and vegetable toppings like spinach, mushrooms, and tomatoes can create a surprisingly low-calorie, flavorful pizza. Their online ordering system makes it easy to track and manage the nutritional information as you build your pie.

Pizza Hut

Pizza Hut's Thin 'N Crispy crust is the key to a healthier choice from this chain. Their Veggie Lover's on a thin crust is one of the lowest-calorie options available, coming in at around 100 calories per slice for a medium size. By focusing on veggie toppings and a thinner crust, you can enjoy a classic pizza taste with a lower impact on your nutritional goals.

What Makes a Pizza Healthier?

Making a healthy pizza is about strategically choosing ingredients. Here are the key factors to consider:

Crust Type: Thin crust is almost always the best option. It drastically reduces the carb and calorie count compared to deep-dish, hand-tossed, or stuffed crust pizzas.
Topping Selection: The more vegetables, the better. Options like spinach, mushrooms, bell peppers, and onions add fiber and nutrients without significant calories. For protein, lean meats like grilled chicken breast or Canadian bacon are superior to fatty, processed meats like pepperoni or sausage.
Cheese Management: Ordering with half the cheese or asking for light cheese can dramatically cut down on saturated fat and sodium. The protein from cheese is still present, but the excess fat is minimized.
Blotting Oil: A simple yet effective tip is to blot the top of your pizza with a napkin to remove excess grease and calories.

Healthy Pizza Chain Comparison Table


Chain	Healthy Menu Item	Crust	Calories (per slice)	Sodium (per slice)	Key Features
California Pizza Kitchen	California Veggie Pizza	Crispy Thin	~170 kcal	~370 mg	Fresh veggies, moderate sodium
Papa Murphy's	Thin Crust Garden Veggie	Thin	~180 kcal	~370 mg	Take-and-bake customization
Domino's	Thin Crust with Spinach & Mushrooms	Thin	~120 kcal	~173 mg	Very low sodium for a chain pizza
Pizza Hut	Thin 'N Crispy Veggie Lover	Thin 'N Crispy	~100 kcal	~250 mg	Lowest calorie option on this list

Note: Nutritional information can vary based on pizza size and chain location. Always check a chain's official nutritional guide for precise details.

Navigating the Pizza Menu for a Smarter Meal

When ordering, think of the pizza not as a finished product, but as a framework you can build upon. Start with a thin crust and a simple tomato base. Then, load it with as many vegetable toppings as you enjoy. When it comes to protein, lean options like grilled chicken are best. If you can, go with lighter cheese, or simply ask for less. This approach gives you a filling, flavorful meal with fiber, protein, and less saturated fat and sodium.

For those on a diet, moderation is key. Pairing your healthy pizza order with a fresh side salad is a great strategy. This fills you up with nutrient-dense, low-calorie greens, which can help control your portion size of the pizza.

Conclusion

There is no single winner for who has the healthiest pizza chain, as it entirely depends on how you build your pizza. California Pizza Kitchen and Papa Murphy's consistently offer strong baseline healthy options, while customization at chains like Domino's and Pizza Hut allows for significant improvements. Ultimately, the power is in the consumer's hands. By opting for thin crusts, loading up on vegetables, choosing lean proteins, and going light on cheese, you can turn a typically indulgent fast-food meal into a much more nutritionally sound one.

For more information on making healthy choices when eating out, you can explore guides on mindful eating.

Frequently Asked Questions

Generally, the healthiest crust option at most chain restaurants is the thin crust, as it contains fewer carbohydrates and calories per slice than thick, hand-tossed, or stuffed crusts.

Yes, adding vegetable toppings like spinach, mushrooms, peppers, and onions increases the nutrient and fiber content of your pizza while being low in calories and fat.

It is possible to eat pizza on a low-sodium diet by customizing your order. You should request light cheese and opt for veggie toppings over processed meats, which are typically very high in sodium.

To reduce calories, choose a thin crust, ask for light cheese, load up on low-calorie vegetable toppings, and consider blotting any excess grease with a napkin.

While it sounds healthy, cauliflower crust from chains is not always nutritionally superior to traditional thin crust and can sometimes be higher in fat. It is a good gluten-free option but always check the specific nutritional information.

The healthiest protein choices are lean meats like grilled chicken breast or Canadian bacon, as they contain less fat and fewer calories than processed pepperoni or sausage.

Yes, portion size is crucial. Even a 'healthy' pizza can become unhealthy if you eat too much. Dietitians often recommend one or two slices as an appropriate serving.