For those mindful of their diet but still craving a quick meal, Domino's offers more options than one might think. By making strategic choices with crusts, toppings, and sides, a Domino's meal can be a surprisingly balanced part of a healthy eating plan.
Healthiest Pizza Options at Domino's
The secret to a healthier pizza lies in customization. The default options are often loaded with extra calories and fat, but with a few simple modifications, you can enjoy a tasty slice without the guilt.
The Golden Rules for a Healthier Pizza
- Choose Thin Crust: The thin crust option contains fewer calories and carbohydrates than the hand-tossed or pan alternatives, saving you roughly 80 calories per slice.
- Prioritize Veggies: Load up on vegetable toppings like onions, green peppers, mushrooms, and spinach. These add valuable fiber, vitamins, and minerals with minimal calories.
- Go Light on Cheese: Requesting less cheese or choosing light cheese can significantly reduce the saturated fat and calorie count of your pizza.
- Select Lean Protein: If you're adding meat, opt for grilled chicken breast over fattier options like pepperoni or sausage.
- Stick to Marinara: The standard marinara sauce is the lowest-calorie base. Avoid creamy sauces like alfredo or ranch, which are much higher in fat and calories.
Creating a Healthier Custom Pizza
A custom-built pizza is the best way to control your nutritional intake. Here is a blueprint for a smart choice:
- Crust: Small Crunchy Thin Crust.
- Sauce: Robust Inspired Tomato Sauce.
- Cheese: Light portion of cheese.
- Toppings: A mix of green peppers, onions, mushrooms, and spinach.
- Protein: Add grilled chicken for a protein boost without excessive fat.
Salads: A Surprising Menu Item
For those who want to skip the pizza entirely, Domino's offers salads that can be a healthy meal on their own, especially with a few tweaks.
- Classic Garden Salad: The Classic Garden Salad is the lowest-calorie option, coming in at just 100 calories (without dressing). For a healthier dressing, ask for Ken's Lite Balsamic and use it sparingly.
- Chicken Caesar Salad: While higher in calories than the Garden Salad, the Chicken Caesar offers a decent protein punch. To make it healthier, order it with dressing on the side and skip the high-calorie croutons.
Healthiest Chicken and Sides
Beyond pizza, Domino's menu includes sides and chicken options. Not all are created equal in terms of nutritional value.
- Plain Boneless Wings: A three-piece serving of plain boneless chicken contains 170 calories, with 9g of protein and just 7g of fat. This is a great protein-focused side. Be sure to skip the high-sugar sauces.
- Plain Chicken Wings: Plain chicken wings are also a good option. They are a lean protein source and contain less sugar and calories than sauced varieties.
- Avoid Cheesy Breads and Twists: The garlic bread twists and cheesy bread options are high in carbs, fat, and sodium. They add significant calories with little nutritional value.
Nutritional Comparison: Healthier vs. Less Healthy Options
To illustrate the impact of your choices, here is a comparison of some menu items. Nutritional information can vary, so always check the Domino's nutrition calculator for the most up-to-date data for your specific order.
| Item (Approximate Serving) | Calories | Fat (g) | Saturated Fat (g) | Sodium (mg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small Thin Crust Veggie Pizza (1/4 pizza, customized) | ~140 | ~5 | ~2 | ~250 |
| Large Hand Tossed Pepperoni Pizza (1 slice) | ~324 | ~14 | ~4 | ~800+ |
| Classic Garden Salad (with light dressing) | ~150 | ~8 | ~2 | ~250 |
| 3-Piece Plain Boneless Chicken | ~170 | ~7 | ~1.5 | ~660 |
| 4-Piece Honey BBQ Wings | ~310 | ~20 | ~5 | ~940 |
Conclusion: Making Smart Choices at Domino's
While a fast-food chain like Domino's will never be a health food destination, making smart and deliberate choices can lead to a more nutritious meal. For the absolute healthiest option, the Classic Garden Salad with light dressing is the top pick due to its low calories, fat, and sodium content. However, if your craving is for pizza, customizing a Small Crunchy Thin Crust with lots of vegetables and light cheese is the way to go. Remember that portion control is key, and pairing your meal with water instead of sugary sodas will make a big difference.
By being mindful of ingredients and choosing lighter bases and toppings, you can enjoy a tasty meal from Domino's without derailing your diet. Always check the official Domino's nutritional information for the most accurate details to guide your choices.
- Official Domino's Nutritional Information: https://www.dominos.com/en/pages/content/nutritional/cal-o-meter