What Brand of Pizza Is the Healthiest?

November 26, 2025 •

4 min read

Recent surveys reveal that many consumers are concerned about the high calorie, sodium, and saturated fat content in popular pizzas. So, what brand of pizza is the healthiest when you need a quick and satisfying meal without derailing your diet?

Quick Summary

This guide compares popular frozen and chain pizza brands to identify healthier options based on crust type, toppings, and overall nutritional profile. Key takeaways highlight brands focusing on whole-food ingredients and lower-fat alternatives.

Key Points

Check Brands with Veggie-Based Crusts: Look for brands like Banza (chickpea) or Caulipower (cauliflower) that use alternative crusts to increase fiber and protein.
Go for Thin Crust: Both frozen and chain pizza options offer thin-crust varieties, which are lower in calories and carbs than regular or deep-dish crusts.
Load Up on Vegetables: Piling on veggies like spinach, mushrooms, and bell peppers adds vitamins, minerals, and fiber while reducing caloric density.
Choose Leaner Proteins: Opt for grilled chicken, shrimp, or plant-based sausage over fatty pepperoni or traditional sausage to reduce saturated fat.
Control Sodium and Saturated Fat: Read nutrition labels carefully and compare brands, as sodium and saturated fat levels can vary greatly even among 'healthy' options.
Homemade is the Healthiest: For maximum control over ingredients, sodium, and fat, making pizza at home is always the healthiest route.
Complement with a Side Salad: To boost fullness and nutrient intake, serve your pizza alongside a large, fresh side salad.

Defining 'Healthy' in a Pizza

When assessing what brand of pizza is the healthiest, a crucial first step is to understand what constitutes a "healthy" pizza. Healthiness isn't just about calories; it involves a balance of macronutrients and the reduction of potentially harmful ingredients like excessive sodium, saturated fat, and added sugars. Healthier pizza options typically feature:

A crust made from whole grains or vegetables, which increases fiber content and lowers the overall glycemic load.
An abundance of fresh vegetable toppings, which add vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Lean protein sources, such as grilled chicken or plant-based alternatives, instead of processed, high-fat meats like pepperoni or sausage.
Less cheese or lower-fat cheese varieties to cut down on saturated fat.
Sauces that are lower in sodium and added sugar.

Homemade pizza offers the ultimate control over these factors, but for convenience, many brands are stepping up their game with better ingredients and nutritional profiles.

Healthiest Frozen Pizza Brands

Several brands offer nutritionally superior frozen pizza options, often featuring alternative crusts and quality ingredients:

Banza: Known for its chickpea-based crust, Banza pizzas are high in protein and fiber.
Amy's Kitchen: Offers options with organic ingredients and moderate sodium, like the Thin Crust Margherita.
Sweet Earth: Their Veggie Lover's features a nutrient-dense crust with carrots and chia seeds and is loaded with vegetables.
California Pizza Kitchen (CPK): CPK's Crispy Thin Crust pizzas often have simpler ingredients and are lower in sugar and sodium.
Vital Pursuit: This brand focuses on high-protein, portion-controlled pizzas.

Healthiest Pizza Chain Options

When ordering from chains, making smart choices can lead to a healthier meal:

Domino's: Opting for Thin Crust with light cheese and vegetable toppings reduces calories and sodium.
Pizza Hut: The Thin 'N Crispy Veggie Lover's is a lower-calorie option.
Papa Murphy's: Choosing a thin-crust, take-and-bake with fresh veggie toppings helps control sodium.
California Pizza Kitchen (CPK): The California Veggie Pizza on a thin crust is a good choice when dining in.

Healthy Pizza Brand Comparison Table

Here is a quick overview of some popular healthier pizza options. Nutritional information can vary, so always check the product packaging.


Brand/Pizza Type	Crust Type	Key Features	Considerations
Banza Margherita	Chickpea	High Protein, High Fiber, Gluten-Free	Higher calorie count per serving
Amy's Thin Crust Margherita	Wheat Flour	Organic Ingredients, Low Sodium	Lower protein than some alternatives
Sweet Earth Veggie Lover's	Wheat/Carrot/Chia	Loaded with Veggies, Low Calorie	Lower protein than some alternatives
Caulipower Margherita	Cauliflower	Lower Sodium, Gluten-Free	Can be lower in fiber and protein
Vital Pursuit Chicken Mozzarella	Thin	Very High Protein, Portion-Controlled	May be higher in sodium and fat
Papa Murphy's Thin Crust Garden Veggie	Thin	Lower Sodium, Fresh Ingredients	Requires baking at home

Making Your Own Healthier Pizza

Making your own pizza offers the greatest control over ingredients for maximum health benefits. You can choose a whole wheat or vegetable crust, control sauce ingredients to limit sugar and sodium, and load up on fresh vegetables and lean proteins. Using less or lower-fat cheese also helps reduce saturated fat.

Simple Ways to Improve Homemade Pizza

Use a pita or whole wheat tortilla as a quick base.
Swap traditional sauce for low-sodium pesto or homemade puree.
Top with a variety of fresh vegetables.
Incorporate lean proteins like grilled chicken.
Use moderate amounts of part-skim or flavorful cheeses.

What to Look For When Choosing the Healthiest Pizza

Crust Type: Opt for thin, whole grain, or vegetable-based crusts.
Toppings: Maximize vegetables and choose lean protein.
Sauce: Select low-sodium or homemade options.
Portion Control: Be mindful of serving sizes.
Processed Meats: Minimize or avoid high-fat, high-sodium options.

Key Factors for Choosing a Healthy Pizza

Check serving size: Labels may list values for only a portion of the pizza.
Prioritize veggies: More vegetables mean more vitamins and fiber.
Look for high protein and fiber: Ingredients like chickpeas can increase satiety.
Compare sodium and saturated fat: These values vary significantly between brands.
Healthier cheese alternatives: Using less or flavorful cheeses in moderation can lower saturated fat.
Consider gluten-free: Cauliflower crusts are an option, but check overall nutrition.
Homemade control: Making pizza at home gives the most control over ingredients.

Conclusion: Finding the Right Slice for You

Determining what brand of pizza is the healthiest depends on your dietary needs. While homemade offers the most control, brands like Banza, Amy's, and Sweet Earth provide convenient, healthier frozen options. For chains, choosing thin crust and veggie toppings is key. Ultimately, the healthiest pizza fits your diet and is eaten in moderation, perhaps with a side salad. Smart choices about crust, toppings, and portion size are crucial.

Frequently Asked Questions

While it depends on individual nutritional goals, brands like Banza, Amy's Kitchen, and Sweet Earth are consistently recommended by dietitians for their use of alternative, nutrient-dense crusts and organic ingredients.

Yes, many cauliflower crust pizzas are a healthier alternative, especially those from brands like Caulipower, which offer lower sodium and fewer calories compared to conventional frozen options. However, it's essential to check the ingredients, as some brands mix cauliflower with refined flours.

To make a chain pizza healthier, choose a thin crust, opt for vegetable toppings, ask for light cheese, and select leaner protein options like grilled chicken instead of processed meats.

The key to a healthy homemade pizza is using a whole-grain or vegetable-based crust, a low-sugar, low-sodium sauce, lean protein, plenty of fresh vegetables, and a moderate amount of part-skim cheese.

A veggie pizza is generally a healthier choice due to higher vitamin and fiber content. However, its overall healthiness still depends on the crust type, the amount of cheese used, and the sodium content, so it's not universally the 'best' option.

Banza uses a chickpea-based crust, which gives it a significant advantage in terms of protein and fiber content compared to traditional flour-based crusts. This can help you feel fuller for longer.

When evaluating a frozen pizza, check the serving size first, then compare calories, saturated fat, sodium, fiber, and protein across different brands. A lower number for saturated fat and sodium and a higher number for fiber and protein is ideal.