What's Healthy at Mod Pizza? A Guide to Smart Eating

According to Mod Pizza's official nutrition information, a single 11-inch original pizza can range drastically in calories, sodium, and fat depending on the toppings. Figuring out what's healthy at Mod Pizza, therefore, depends entirely on your choices, empowering you to create a delicious and satisfying meal that aligns with your dietary needs.

Quick Summary

A breakdown of how to build nutritionally smart pizzas and salads at Mod Pizza. Guidance on choosing healthier crusts, sauces, cheeses, and protein options. Strategies for navigating the menu and customizing your meal for a balanced diet.

Key Points

• Choose a Thin Base: Opt for the original or cauliflower crust to significantly reduce calories and carbohydrates from the start.

• Load Up on Veggies: Take advantage of the unlimited fresh vegetable toppings to boost fiber, vitamins, and minerals without a calorie penalty.

• Select Lean Proteins: Favor grilled chicken, Canadian bacon, and plant-based sausage over higher-fat options like mild Italian sausage and ground beef.

• Mind Your Cheese and Sauce: Go light on cheese or choose lower-fat options like feta. Stick to the low-calorie signature red sauce or a light garlic rub.

• Consider a Custom Salad: A customizable salad with a lean protein and light dressing is a fantastic, low-calorie alternative to pizza.

• Control Your Portions: Use the Mini or Mod size to manage calorie intake effectively, especially with more indulgent toppings.

• Beware of Hidden Calories: Be mindful of added calories from extra oil drizzles, creamy dressings, and high-fat meats.

Mod Pizza offers a unique, fast-casual dining experience where you are in complete control of your order. This level of customization is both a blessing and a challenge when you're trying to make healthy choices. The key to success is understanding which ingredients offer the most nutritional value for your goals. By building your meal from the base up with mindful selections, you can enjoy a flavorful pizza or salad without compromising your diet.

Choosing a Healthier Crust

Your crust choice sets the foundation for your meal's overall nutritional profile. While all options have their place, some are more suitable for those monitoring their calorie or carbohydrate intake.

The Thin Crust Advantage

• Original Crust: The standard Mod crust is a thin, artisan-style base that is lower in calories and carbs than the thicker Mega Dough option. It provides a crisp texture without a heavy, bready feel.
• Cauliflower Crust: For those looking to reduce carbs, the cauliflower crust is an excellent choice. It adds a serving of vegetables and has a notably different texture and flavor profile. However, be aware that it still contains a moderate number of calories.
• Gluten-Friendly Crust: Mod Pizza also offers a gluten-friendly crust for those with sensitivities, though they do note it is prepared in a shared space and cannot be guaranteed allergen-free. This option has a higher calorie count than the standard crust.

Smart Sauce and Cheese Strategies

The sauce and cheese can significantly impact the saturated fat and calorie content of your pizza. Luckily, Mod Pizza offers great alternatives to the usual heavy culprits.

Mindful Sauce Selection

• Signature Red Sauce: Made with vine-ripened tomatoes, the signature red sauce is one of the lowest-calorie options, packing just 5 calories per serving. This makes it a great choice for adding flavor without extra fat.
• Garlic Rub or Olive Oil: For a simple, flavorful base, consider a light garlic rub or a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. A little goes a long way, so request a light application to control calories.

Controlling Your Cheese

• Go Light on the Cheese: You can always ask for a smaller portion of cheese to reduce calories and fat. This is especially useful for those aiming for a lower-calorie meal.
• Opt for Feta or Mozzarella: Feta and mozzarella are generally lower in saturated fat and calories compared to some other cheeses like parmesan or asiago.
• Try Plant-Based Cheese: Mod Pizza's dairy-free, plant-based cheese is a smart option for vegans or those with dairy sensitivities. It is also lower in calories than most traditional cheeses.

Protein Power and Veggie Variety

The protein and vegetable toppings are where you can truly boost the nutritional value of your meal. Lean proteins add satiety, while a rainbow of vegetables provides vitamins, minerals, and fiber.

Best Protein Choices

• Grilled Chicken: An excellent lean protein source that adds a significant protein boost for a low calorie and saturated fat cost.
• Spicy Chicken Sausage: Leaner than the mild Italian sausage, this offers a flavorful kick with a lower saturated fat profile.
• Canadian Bacon: A lean pork option that provides a good amount of protein with minimal saturated fat.
• Plant-Based Italian Sausage: A solid protein choice for those following a plant-based diet, offering flavor without saturated fat.

Load Up on Veggies

One of the biggest advantages of Mod Pizza is the unlimited veggie toppings for a flat price. Pile them on to increase fiber and nutrient content.

• Greens: Start with arugula, spinach, or mixed greens. These add vital nutrients and volume for minimal calories.
• Colorful Vegetables: Add red onion, mushrooms, tomatoes, green and red bell peppers, and artichokes. The variety adds flavor and a wide spectrum of vitamins.

The Smart Salad Option

Pizza isn't the only option. Mod Pizza also offers customizable salads, which can be an incredibly healthy meal choice. The same principles apply: start with a healthy base and be mindful of dressings and toppings.

• Start with Greens: Begin with a base of Romaine lettuce or mixed greens.
• Go Crazy with Veggies: Load your salad with chickpeas, cucumbers, roasted corn, olives, and tomatoes.
• Choose Lean Proteins: Add grilled chicken or plant-based Italian sausage to make it a filling entree.
• Pick a Lighter Dressing: Opt for the Sherry Dijon, Greek Herb and Tahini, or a simple oil and vinegar dressing. Request dressing on the side to control the amount you use.

Nutritional Comparison: Common Builds

Item	Crust	Sauce	Cheese	Protein	Calories (Approx.)	Protein (Approx.)
Healthy Build	Original Thin	Red Sauce (Light)	Mozzarella (Light)	Grilled Chicken, Veggies	600-750 kcal	40+ g
Low-Carb Build	Cauliflower Crust	Red Sauce	Plant-Based Cheese	Plant-Based Sausage, Veggies	650-800 kcal	30+ g
High-Protein Hack	Original Thin	Red Sauce	Mozzarella	Double Grilled Chicken	~1070 kcal	~100 g
Default Combo	Original Thin	Red Sauce	Mozzarella	Pepperoni, Sausage	800-900+ kcal	40+ g

Note: Calorie counts are approximations and can vary based on portion sizes. The 'High-Protein Hack' is a known strategy but results in a higher calorie meal.

Conclusion: Your Custom, Healthy Mod Pizza Experience

Eating healthy at Mod Pizza is not about restriction; it's about making educated, thoughtful decisions. The ability to customize your meal makes it one of the better fast-casual options for conscious diners. By selecting a lighter crust, going easy on the high-fat ingredients like some cheeses and heavy meats, and piling on the fresh vegetables, you can create a delicious and satisfying meal that perfectly fits your nutritional goals. Whether you are aiming for low-carb, high-protein, or just a balanced dinner, Mod provides the tools. Just remember that a balanced plate and mindful portions are the secrets to a guilt-free indulgence. You can find their official nutrition information on their website for more specific data.

Tips for Building a Nutritious Mod Pizza or Salad

Here are some actionable steps for your next Mod Pizza order:

1. Select a Thin Base: Choose the original or cauliflower crust to keep your base calorie-conscious.
2. Opt for Lighter Toppings: Favor grilled chicken, plant-based sausage, and Canadian bacon over higher-fat options like ground beef or mild Italian sausage.
3. Use Veggies Generously: Load up on nutrient-dense veggies like spinach, mushrooms, and bell peppers.
4. Control Your Cheese: Ask for a lighter portion of cheese or choose lower-fat options like feta.
5. Be Smart with Sauces: Stick with the signature red sauce or a minimal application of garlic rub or olive oil.
6. Don't Forget the Salads: A custom salad with lean protein and light dressing can be a perfect low-calorie, high-nutrient meal.

Building a Healthy Custom Order

Here is an example of a smart custom order you can try:

• Base: Original Crust or Cauliflower Crust
• Sauce: Signature Red Sauce (Light)
• Cheese: Mozzarella (Light) or Plant-Based Cheese
• Proteins: Grilled Chicken, Plant-Based Italian Sausage
• Veggies: Spinach, Mushrooms, Roasted Broccoli, Red Onions, Roasted Red Peppers
• Finishing Touches: Fresh Basil, Oregano
• Salad Option: Mixed Greens or Romaine with Grilled Chicken, Chickpeas, Cucumber, Tomato, and Sherry Dijon Vinaigrette on the side.

The Takeaway

Eating healthy at Mod Pizza is entirely achievable with the right choices. Focus on the base ingredients first—crust, sauce, and cheese—and then build a nutritionally dense pizza or salad with lean proteins and unlimited fresh vegetables. By being mindful of your customization options, you can turn a fast-casual meal into a healthy, balanced, and delicious experience.

A Final Word on Beverages

Don't let a healthy meal be undone by a high-sugar drink. Mod Pizza offers plenty of healthier beverage choices like unsweetened iced tea, water, or zero-sugar sodas. Paired with a nutritious custom pizza or salad, you can ensure your entire meal supports your health goals.

The Mod Fresh Menu

Beyond pizzas, Mod Pizza has expanded its menu with Mod Fresh, featuring fresh salads that can be customized similarly to their pizzas. These are a fantastic low-calorie alternative for those who prefer salads. With a base of greens and a huge array of toppings, you can build a satisfying and nutritionally sound meal.

For example, the Greek salad is a solid choice, packed with chickpeas, feta, and vegetables. By choosing the Mini or Mod size, you can perfectly control your portion size.

What to Watch Out For

While Mod Pizza offers many healthy options, it's easy to unintentionally add excess calories. Be cautious of these high-calorie add-ons:

• Extra Oil or Drizzles: Extra virgin olive oil can add a lot of calories quickly, so use it sparingly.
• Rich Dressings: Creamy dressings like Ranch and Caesar can significantly increase the calorie count. Always get dressings on the side.
• Calorie-Dense Meats: Meats like mild Italian sausage and crispy bacon are higher in fat and sodium.
• Double Portions: While the idea of unlimited toppings is great, doubling up on cheese or calorie-heavy ingredients can derail a healthy meal.

This level of customization gives you the power to create a meal that is uniquely yours and, most importantly, fits your health goals perfectly. With this guide, you can walk into any Mod Pizza and confidently create a delicious, healthy meal.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I build a low-calorie pizza at Mod Pizza?

To build a low-calorie pizza, start with the original or cauliflower crust, use the signature red sauce, go light on the mozzarella or choose a dairy-free option, and pile on plenty of fresh veggies. Finish with a lean protein like grilled chicken and avoid extra oil.

What's the best crust option for weight loss at Mod Pizza?

The original thin crust is the most straightforward low-calorie option, while the cauliflower crust is best for reducing carbohydrates. Both are better choices than the thicker Mega Dough crust.

Are salads at Mod Pizza a healthy option?

Yes, custom salads can be very healthy. Choose a base of Romaine or mixed greens, load up on veggies, add a lean protein like grilled chicken, and opt for a light vinaigrette dressing on the side.

Which meat toppings are the healthiest at Mod Pizza?

The healthiest meat toppings are grilled chicken, Canadian bacon, and spicy chicken sausage, as they are leaner and lower in saturated fat compared to mild Italian sausage or crispy bacon.

How can I reduce sodium in my Mod Pizza order?

To lower sodium, limit cured meats like Canadian bacon, sausage, and pepperoni, use a lighter amount of cheese, and fill your pizza with fresh vegetables instead. Pay attention to salty toppings like black olives.

Does Mod Pizza have vegan options?

Yes, Mod Pizza offers several vegan-friendly options, including the original crust, red sauce, plant-based cheese, plant-based Italian sausage, and a wide variety of fresh vegetables.

What are some low-calorie sauce options?

The signature red sauce is the lowest-calorie option. Alternatively, a light drizzle of extra virgin olive oil or the garlic rub can add flavor with a minimal calorie impact.