Is it bad to eat Domino's pizza? The truth about fast food nutrition and smart choices

October 21, 2025 •

4 min read

According to a 2015 study, a single fast food meal high in saturated fat can increase inflammation throughout the body. This raises important questions for many consumers: is it bad to eat Domino's pizza, and how can you balance convenience with healthy eating?

Quick Summary

Fast-food pizza, including from Domino's, is typically high in calories, sodium, and saturated fat, carrying health risks with regular consumption. However, occasional indulgence is fine, and you can significantly improve the nutritional profile by making smart customizations like choosing thin crust, loading up on vegetables, and managing portion sizes.

Key Points

Moderation is Key: Occasional Domino's pizza is fine as part of a balanced diet; frequent consumption of fast food poses health risks.
Customize Your Order: Opting for a thin crust, light cheese, and extra vegetables can significantly improve the nutritional profile.
Mind Your Toppings: Leaner protein options like grilled chicken are healthier than processed meats, which are high in saturated fat and nitrates.
Watch the Sodium: Fast-food pizza is notoriously high in sodium, which can elevate blood pressure and contribute to fluid retention.
Pair with Veggies: Adding a side salad or non-starchy vegetables can increase fiber intake and create a more balanced meal.

The Nutritional Profile of Domino's Pizza

Domino's, like most fast-food chains, offers a wide range of products with varying nutritional profiles. The healthiness of your meal depends on several factors, including your choice of crust, toppings, cheese, and portion size. A major takeaway is that fast-food pizza tends to be energy-dense, providing a lot of calories without a lot of nutrients.

High in Calories, Fat, and Sodium

Many fast-food pizza options are high in calories, sodium, and saturated fat. For example, a single large slice of a specialty meat pizza can contain a significant percentage of a person’s daily recommended saturated fat and sodium intake. High sodium intake, in particular, can increase blood pressure and is linked to chronic health conditions. Saturated fat, often from processed cheese and fatty meat toppings, can raise LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels, increasing the risk of heart disease.

Refined Carbohydrates and Added Sugars

The standard white flour crust used in many pizzas is a refined carbohydrate. Refined grains are low in fiber and are digested quickly, leading to rapid blood sugar spikes followed by a crash. Regular consumption of refined carbs is linked to weight gain and an increased risk of conditions like Type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, some Domino's pizzas and sides may contain hidden added sugars, contributing to excess calories.

Processed Ingredients

Some ingredients used in fast-food pizza are highly processed. For instance, processed meats like pepperoni and sausages often contain preservatives and nitrates, which have been linked to potential health issues, including certain cancers. The inclusion of certain food additives, like preservatives and flavorings, in some fast-food items has also raised concerns among health experts.

Customizing Your Domino's Order for Better Health

While Domino's has its nutritional drawbacks, it’s not all or nothing. Since every pizza is made to order, you have significant control over the final product. You can make mindful adjustments to transform a potentially unhealthy meal into a more balanced one.

Here are some strategies for making a healthier Domino’s choice:

Choose the right crust: Opt for a thin crust, as it contains fewer calories and carbs than a pan or deep-dish crust.
Go light on the cheese: Requesting a lighter portion of cheese can reduce the calorie, fat, and sodium content.
Load up on veggies: Pile on vegetables like fresh spinach, mushrooms, onions, and green peppers for added nutrients and fiber.
Select lean protein: Choose grilled chicken breast as a topping instead of processed meats like pepperoni or sausage.
Be mindful of sauces: Stick with the classic marinara sauce rather than richer, creamy options like alfredo, which add extra calories.
Add a side salad: Pairing a slice or two with a side salad is a great way to boost nutrient and fiber intake and increase satiety.

The Healthier Option: A Customization Comparison


Feature	'Classic' Option (e.g., Large Pepperoni Pan Pizza)	'Healthier' Option (e.g., Medium Thin Crust Veggie)
Crust Type	Pan (Higher calories, refined carbs)	Thin Crust (Lower calories, lighter texture)
Toppings	Processed meat (pepperoni), fatty meats	Fresh vegetables (spinach, mushrooms, onions)
Cheese	Heavy, full-fat mozzarella	Lighter portion of mozzarella or low-fat options
Sauce	Standard marinara or specialty sauces	Standard marinara (lower calorie than creamy sauces)
Sodium Level	Very high, especially with processed meats	Significantly lower with veggie toppings
Fat Content	High in saturated fat	Lower due to less cheese and no processed meat
Fiber Content	Minimal	Higher due to vegetable toppings

The Importance of Moderation

The key to fitting fast food like Domino's into a healthy lifestyle is moderation. Eating pizza occasionally will not derail your health goals, particularly if you follow some of the customization tips. The danger lies in frequent, habitual consumption without considering the nutritional impact. A diet dominated by fast food can lead to significant health issues over time, including weight gain, heart problems, and insulin resistance. Enjoying a slice or two with a side of vegetables can satisfy a craving without compromising overall nutritional balance.

Conclusion: The Verdict on Domino's

So, is it bad to eat Domino's pizza? The answer isn't a simple 'yes' or 'no.' It depends entirely on how often you eat it, what you choose, and what the rest of your diet looks like. Regularly consuming uncustomized, high-calorie, and high-fat options can certainly be detrimental to your health in the long run. However, enjoying a customized, vegetable-heavy thin-crust pizza as an occasional treat is perfectly compatible with a balanced diet. The crucial takeaway is to be a mindful eater, pay attention to portion sizes, and make smart substitutions. Your diet doesn't have to be perfect, but it does require balance and intentionality. For more information on making healthy choices at fast-food restaurants, see the guide on Second Nature Guides.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, it is possible, but success depends on managing calories and making strategic choices. Opt for thin crust, minimal cheese, and vegetable toppings, and keep your portion to a slice or two alongside a healthy side salad to maintain a calorie deficit.

The unhealthiest options are typically those with deep-dish or stuffed crusts and heavy processed meat toppings, like pepperoni, sausage, and extra cheese, due to their very high calorie, saturated fat, and sodium content.

Yes, thin crust pizzas are generally a healthier choice because they contain fewer carbohydrates and calories compared to pan or deep-dish options. This helps reduce the overall fat and calorie load of your meal.

Domino's claims to use fresh ingredients for things like dough, tomato sauce, and cheese. However, as a fast-food chain, their food is more processed than homemade alternatives, and some additives and processed meats are used.

Homemade pizza is generally much healthier because you control the ingredients. By using whole-wheat flour, fresh vegetables, lean protein, and less cheese, you can create a pie with more nutrients and less sodium and saturated fat than a fast-food version.

Frequent consumption of fast food like Domino's, especially without moderation, can increase the risk of health issues such as obesity, heart disease, insulin resistance, and high blood pressure due to high levels of calories, fat, and sodium.

The best healthy toppings are fresh vegetables. Examples include spinach, mushrooms, onions, green peppers, black olives, and jalapenos. These add flavor, fiber, and nutrients without excessive calories or saturated fat.