Nutrition Deep Dive: What Is the Most Unhealthy Pizza Brand?

October 4, 2025 •

4 min read

According to one review, a single large slice of Pizza Hut's Pepperoni Lovers Pizza contains 900 mg of sodium, or 38% of the recommended daily intake. While pinpointing a single most unhealthy pizza brand is challenging, certain companies and specific pizza varieties consistently rank high in unhealthy metrics like saturated fat, sodium, and calories.

Quick Summary

This article examines which fast-food and frozen pizza brands frequently top the list for unhealthiness based on ingredients and nutritional content. It compares factors like high sodium, saturated fat, and processed meats, offering a detailed analysis to help consumers identify less nutritious options.

Key Points

No Single Brand Is The Worst: The most unhealthy pizza is not tied to a single brand but depends on the specific product, ingredients, and portion size.
High-Fat & High-Sodium Chains: Fast-food brands like Pizza Hut and Papa John's frequently offer specialty and stuffed crust options with extremely high levels of saturated fat and sodium.
Processed Frozen Brands: Frozen pizzas from brands such as Home Run Inn, DiGiorno, and Totino's can be loaded with sodium, saturated fat, and potentially harmful preservatives and additives.
Ingredient Culprits: The unhealthiest pizzas are typically characterized by thick, refined crusts; excessive, high-fat cheese; and copious amounts of processed meats like sausage and pepperoni.
Make Smarter Choices: To eat healthier pizza, opt for thin crust, less cheese, more vegetable toppings, and lean protein instead of processed meats.

When evaluating which pizza brand is the most unhealthy, the answer is more complex than a simple brand name. Unhealthiness in pizza stems from the combination of high-calorie, high-fat, and high-sodium ingredients used, which vary dramatically across brands and even different menu items. The discussion can be broken down into two main categories: fast-food chains and frozen pizzas.

Unhealthy Fast-Food Pizza Contenders

Fast-food and takeout pizza chains are notorious for their large portion sizes and liberal use of cheese and processed meats. While many of these brands offer healthier, customizable options, specific products can push nutritional boundaries significantly.

Pizza Hut: Long considered one of the unhealthiest fast-food chains, Pizza Hut has been singled out in studies for high fat and saturated fat content. Their specialty and stuffed crust pizzas, such as the Large Stuffed Crust Pizza, can contain thousands of calories and exceed daily saturated fat recommendations in one sitting. A single large slice of their Pepperoni Lovers Pizza can contribute 900mg of sodium and 460 calories, making it a high-risk option.
Papa John's: The "All The Meats Stuffed Crust Pizza" from Papa John's has been cited as extremely high in salt, reaching up to 19 grams in a single pie, more than three times an adult's daily recommended intake. The combination of processed meats and extra cheese contributes heavily to its poor nutritional profile.
Little Caesars: Known for its low price point, Little Caesars often uses lower-quality, high-sodium ingredients to cut costs. The brand's products, including the popular Hot-N-Ready pepperoni pizza, are noted for their high calorie, saturated fat, and especially high sodium content.
Domino's: Although taste reviewers have sometimes given Domino's mixed ratings, some of their pizzas still rank poorly from a nutritional standpoint. Historically, the brand has struggled with negative perceptions of quality, and certain pizzas remain high in saturated fat and sodium.

Unhealthy Frozen Pizza Options

Just as with fast-food, some frozen pizza brands produce highly processed options that are packed with unhealthy ingredients and additives.

Home Run Inn: This brand's Classic Four Cheese Pizza stands out for its staggering sodium level, with a single slice containing 1,400mg—over half of the recommended daily intake. Paired with 500 calories and 25 grams of fat per slice, it is a nutritional minefield.
DiGiorno: While a household name, DiGiorno offers some particularly unhealthy varieties. The Stuffed Crust Supreme Pizza is filled with cheese and processed meats, contributing high amounts of saturated fat and sodium. Their Croissant Crust Pizza adds extra buttery, fat-laden layers, further increasing calorie and fat counts.
Totino's: Popular for its budget-friendly party pizzas, Totino's is often high in fat, sodium, and preservatives like BHA, BHT, and TBHQ, which have been linked to health concerns. Their Ultimate Pepperoni Party Pizza packs a high calorie and sodium punch for a single serving.
Screamin' Sicilian: This brand is known for its abundance of cheese and meat. The Mother of Meat Single Pizza, marketed as a personal pie, is especially poor nutritionally. Despite being a single serving, it can contain 750 calories and 1,900mg of sodium, roughly twice the nutritionals of a standard-sized slice.

Why Processed Ingredients Are a Concern

The unhealthiness of these pizzas is rooted in specific ingredients and manufacturing practices:

Processed Meats: Toppings like pepperoni, sausage, and bacon are typically high in sodium, saturated fat, and nitrates, which have been linked to potential health issues. Some brands may use several processed meat toppings on a single pie, such as Tombstone's Original Thin Crust 4 Meat Pizza.
Excessive Cheese: While a source of calcium and protein, excessive cheese, especially full-fat or processed varieties like Provel (used by Imo's), significantly increases saturated fat and sodium. Many unhealthy pizzas pile on extra cheese to boost flavor and richness.
Thick, Refined Crusts: The dough is a significant contributor of calories and refined carbohydrates. Thick, rising, or stuffed crusts add a substantial amount of empty calories and can spike blood sugar levels.
Additives and Preservatives: Frozen pizzas often contain preservatives to extend shelf life. Ingredients like titanium dioxide (used by Celeste) and potassium bromate (used by Imo's) raise health concerns, despite being government-approved.

Comparison of Fast-Food and Frozen Pizza Brands


Brand	Notorious Product	Primary Nutritional Issue	Calories (Approx.)	Saturated Fat (% daily value)	Sodium (% daily value)
Fast Food
Pizza Hut	Large Stuffed Crust	Excessive calories & fat	>2,700 (whole)	64g	>8.5g
Papa John's	All The Meats Stuffed Crust	Extreme salt content	>3,200 (whole)	62g	>19g
Little Caesars	Hot-N-Ready Pepperoni	High calories & sodium	~2,140 (whole)	Day's worth	4,260mg
Frozen
Home Run Inn	Classic Four Cheese	Extremely high sodium per slice	500 (per slice)	High	1,400mg
DiGiorno	Stuffed Crust Supreme	High saturated fat & sodium	360 (per slice)	>19g	870mg
Totino's	Ultimate Pepperoni	High fat, sodium, and preservatives	440 (per serving)	High	940mg

Making Healthier Choices

While some brands produce notoriously unhealthy pizza, it is possible to enjoy pizza in a more balanced way. The key is moderation and making smart choices about toppings, crust, and portion size. When ordering from a restaurant or buying frozen, opt for thinner crusts, ask for light cheese, and prioritize vegetable toppings over processed meats. As the Cleveland Clinic notes, it’s all about finding balance and enjoying your food in a heart-healthy way.

Conclusion

There is no single answer to what is the most unhealthy pizza brand, as different varieties from different companies can hold the title. Instead of focusing on one brand, consumers should be aware of the specific factors that make a pizza unhealthy: high levels of saturated fat, sodium, and refined carbohydrates found in thick crusts, excessive cheese, and processed meat toppings. Brands like Pizza Hut, Papa John's, Home Run Inn, and DiGiorno often feature varieties that push nutritional boundaries. By being mindful of these unhealthy ingredients, choosing customizable, leaner options, and focusing on portion control, pizza can still be enjoyed as part of a healthy and balanced diet.

How to make your pizza heart-healthy*

Frequently Asked Questions

Pizzas with thick or stuffed crusts and those loaded with multiple processed meat toppings, such as Pizza Hut's Stuffed Crust pizzas or Papa John's All The Meats, tend to have the highest calories and fat.

Not necessarily. While some frozen pizzas are made with healthier ingredients, many are highly processed and contain high levels of sodium, fat, and preservatives. The nutritional value depends entirely on the specific brand and product.

Consumers should be most concerned with excessive amounts of sodium, saturated fat from cheese and processed meats, and refined carbohydrates from thick crusts. These ingredients are abundant in many fast-food and frozen varieties.

High sodium intake is a major concern with unhealthy pizzas. Many products far exceed the recommended daily allowance, which can contribute to bloating, increased blood pressure, and a higher risk of heart disease.

Yes, thin-crust is generally a healthier option as it contains fewer calories and refined carbohydrates than thicker, deep-dish, or stuffed crusts. However, toppings still matter.

Yes, pizza can be part of a balanced diet if consumed in moderation. Making mindful choices, like opting for thin crust, vegetable toppings, and less cheese, can make it much healthier.

Based on nutritional analysis, brands like Home Run Inn, DiGiorno (especially stuffed crust), and Totino's are often cited for their high sodium, saturated fat, and sometimes undesirable additives.