Is Domino's pizza good for diet? Expert tips for mindful eating

December 19, 2025 •

4 min read

A single slice of Domino's pizza can vary greatly in calorie count, from under 150 to over 300, depending on the choices made. Whether Domino's pizza is 'good for diet' depends on informed choices and controlled consumption.

Quick Summary

Domino's pizza can be part of a balanced diet through strategic ordering. Focus on thin crusts, vegetable toppings, and portion control to reduce calorie and fat intake.

Key Points

Choose Thin Crust: Thin crust pizza offers significantly fewer calories compared to thicker crusts.
Load Up on Veggies: Adding vegetable toppings increases fiber and nutrients while keeping calories low.
Control Portions: Practicing mindful eating and limiting pizza consumption to one or two slices helps to prevent overeating and maintain dietary goals.
Select Lean Protein: If meat is desired, grilled chicken is a healthier protein choice than processed meats.
Be Mindful of Sides: Avoid creamy sauces, cheesy bread, and sugary beverages to reduce excess calories and sodium.
Allow Occasional Indulgences: It's acceptable to incorporate pizza into a balanced diet occasionally. Consistency is key for long-term success.

Domino's and Nutritional Considerations

Fast food pizza often carries a reputation for being unhealthy, largely due to high levels of calories, saturated fat, and sodium found in standard menu items at Domino's. A large pepperoni and sausage pizza on hand-tossed crust provides a significant caloric and fat load per slice. Thicker crusts, processed meats, and excessive cheese are the main contributors to this high nutritional profile. However, this doesn't mean Domino's must be entirely avoided. Understanding the nutritional impact and making conscious decisions can allow for occasional enjoyment within a balanced diet. Regular consumption of the most indulgent options poses the greatest risk.

Ordering a Diet-Conscious Pizza from Domino's

Healthier choices at Domino's involve customization rather than complete restriction. Following specific guidelines allows for enjoying pizza without compromising dietary goals. The customer has a significant degree of control.

Best practices for ordering:

Choose the right crust: Opt for the Thin Crust or the Gluten-Free Crust. Thin crust can significantly reduce the calorie count per slice.
Prioritize vegetable toppings: Load up on vegetables such as spinach, mushrooms, green peppers, onions, tomatoes, and black olives. Vegetables add volume and fiber with minimal calories. Fresh toppings are particularly beneficial.
Request light cheese: Cheese is a major source of saturated fat and calories. Requesting a lighter portion helps to decrease the overall calorie and fat content.
Choose leaner proteins: If desired, select grilled chicken over processed pepperoni, sausage, or bacon. Lean protein is more filling and has less saturated fat and sodium than other meat options.
Skip unhealthy sauces and sides: Avoid creamy white sauces and rich dipping cups. Stick to the classic marinara sauce, a lower-calorie option. For sides, choose a Classic Garden Salad with light dressing on the side. Plain chicken wings are also a better choice.
Control your portion size: The most important rule for incorporating fast food into a diet is moderation. Aim for one or two slices, and pair it with a healthy salad to feel full without overindulging.

Comparing Smart and Indulgent Choices

The following table compares a health-conscious order with a more indulgent one, based on Domino's nutritional data. These figures are for a medium pizza, with eight slices per pie.


Feature	Smart Choice: Thin Crust Veggie Pizza	Indulgent Choice: Hand Tossed Pepperoni & Sausage Pizza
Crust Type	Thin Crust	Hand Tossed
Base Toppings	Marinara Sauce, Light Cheese	Standard Marinara Sauce, Standard Cheese
Added Toppings	Spinach, Mushroom, Green Pepper, Onion	Pepperoni, Sausage
Calories per Slice	Approx. 140 calories	Approx. 270 calories
Total Fat per Slice	~5g	~10g
Saturated Fat per Slice	~2g	~4g
Sodium per Slice	~140-180mg	~500mg+

Healthy Sides, Mindful Eating, and Domino's

In addition to customizing the pizza, how the entire meal is approached is critical. Starting with a side salad is a great way to incorporate fiber and nutrients. Domino's Classic Garden Salad is the healthiest option on the menu; ordering the dressing on the side and using a smaller amount can reduce both calories and sodium.

For drinks, avoid sugary sodas and opt for water. A single 20-ounce orange soda at Domino's contains a significant number of calories, equivalent to several slices of thin-crust pizza.

For chicken sides, plain chicken wings are a better choice than sauced varieties. The sauces can be high in sugar and sodium, while the plain wings provide a good source of protein without added ingredients. Remember that portion size is key, and just a few wings alongside a salad could be a full, satisfying meal.

Dietary Restrictions at Domino's

Domino's offers options for various dietary requirements, but it is important to understand the limitations. For those sensitive to gluten, the gluten-free crust contains less than 20 parts per million of gluten. However, the product is made in a shared kitchen with standard crusts, so cross-contamination is possible. For vegetarians, veggie pizzas and the Classic Garden Salad are available. Vegans may find it challenging due to dairy in Domino's crusts and cheese. A 'build your own' pizza with marinara and vegetables, without cheese, could be an option, though alternatives might be necessary for a truly vegan-friendly meal.

Conclusion: Domino's and Dietary Goals

Domino's pizza can be part of a healthy diet with planning and mindful choices. Opting for a thin crust, including vegetables, using light cheese, and choosing lean protein can greatly decrease the meal's calories, saturated fat, and sodium content. Adding a side salad and controlling portion sizes support health goals. Consistency is more important than perfection in dietary adherence.

By following these guidelines and understanding the nutritional content of the order, it's possible to enjoy the convenience of Domino's without compromising progress.

For additional nutritional information, visit the Verywell Fit guide to healthy Domino's options.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Crunchy Thin Crust is the healthiest crust option at Domino's, as it contains the fewest calories, fat, and carbohydrates per slice.

Toppings such as spinach, mushrooms, green peppers, and onions are all excellent choices. They provide fiber and nutrients, and fresh options like roasted tomatoes are rich in antioxidants.

While Domino's is generally high in carbohydrates, those on a low-carb diet might choose a thin crust with vegetable toppings and light cheese. However, most options remain high in carbohydrates, making it an occasional treat.

To keep your meal diet-friendly, avoid thick crusts like Handmade Pan, processed meats such as pepperoni and sausage, extra cheese, and creamy sauces. It's also best to skip sugary sodas and cheesy bread side items.

Yes, the Classic Garden Salad with light dressing is a good choice. Plain chicken wings are another healthier alternative compared to sauced wings.

To reduce calories, choose a thin crust, use light cheese, load up on vegetable toppings, and select grilled chicken over processed meats. Controlling portion size and avoiding high-calorie sides and drinks are also helpful.

Domino's states that its gluten-free crust is made in a shared kitchen, so cross-contamination is a risk. Those with celiac disease or severe gluten intolerance should use caution.