Andy Montoya
Pizza is a popular food item, with the average American eating about 6000 slices in their lifetime. However, pizza is typically high in calories, sugar, saturated fat, and protein, which can make it challenging to include in a weight-loss diet. Weight Watchers, also known as WW, assigns SmartPoints to foods based on these four categories. The more calories, sugar, and saturated fat in a food, the higher its SmartPoints value. Conversely, protein lowers the SmartPoints value. For pizza lovers trying to watch their weight, understanding the SmartPoints value of cheese pizza is crucial for making informed choices.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of SmartPoints in a slice of cheese pizza | 9-16 |
| Factors that influence the number of SmartPoints | Type of cheese used, size of the pizza, thickness of the crust |
| Suggested toppings to decrease the SmartPoints value | Peppers, onions, broccoli, mushrooms |
| Suggested crusts to decrease the SmartPoints value | Whole-grain, cauliflower |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- Two slices of cheese pizza can equal more than half of your daily Weight Watchers points allowance
- A slice of Domino's 12-inch hand-tossed cheese pizza contains 220 calories, which equates to 11% of your daily calories
- A slice of Chicago deep-dish pizza is worth 11-15 SmartPoints
- White pizza is often topped with more cheese than regular cheese pizza, increasing its SmartPoints value
- Lean protein toppings such as skinless chicken breast can reduce the SmartPoints value of your pizza
Two slices of cheese pizza can equal more than half of your daily Weight Watchers points allowance
Pizza is a beloved food, but it's not always the healthiest option, especially when following a diet plan like Weight Watchers. The Weight Watchers points system is designed to help you make smarter food choices, but it doesn't mean you have to give up pizza entirely. However, it's important to be mindful of how many points a couple of slices of pizza can add up to.
Two slices of cheese pizza can quickly eat into your daily Weight Watchers points allowance. This is because the points system takes into account the calories, sugar, saturated fat, and protein in a food item. Cheese, a staple of pizza, is a high-calorie food that also contains significant amounts of saturated fat. The more cheese on your pizza, the higher the SmartPoints value.
A slice of cheese pizza from a popular chain like Domino's can contain 220 calories, which is 11% of your daily calories if you're consuming 2,000 calories per day. That same slice also provides 17.5% of your daily recommended saturated fat intake and 18.8% of your daily sodium intake. These numbers quickly double when you have two slices, which can easily exceed half of your daily points allowance.
To make pizza a more Weight Watchers-friendly meal, consider making healthier choices. Opt for thin crusts, limit yourself to one slice, and load up on vegetable toppings. You can also make your own pizza at home with fresh, nutritious ingredients. By being mindful of portion sizes and making smart topping choices, you can enjoy pizza while staying within your daily points budget.
Vegan Cheese at Midici Pizza: What's the Deal?
You may want to see also
A slice of Domino's 12-inch hand-tossed cheese pizza contains 220 calories, which equates to 11% of your daily calories
Pizza is a delicious but indulgent treat, and it can be challenging to fit it into a healthy diet. A slice of Domino's 12-inch hand-tossed cheese pizza contains 220 calories, which equates to 11% of your daily calories, assuming a 2,000-calorie-per-day diet. This slice also contains 3.5 grams of saturated fat, or 17.5% of your recommended daily value (RDV), and 450 milligrams of sodium, or 18.8% of the RDV.
The high-calorie and high-fat content of cheese pizza means it has a high SmartPoints value, as Weight Watchers assigns SmartPoints based on calories, sugar, saturated fat, and protein. While the exact SmartPoints value for this pizza is unclear, it is likely substantial, and two slices could equal more than half of your daily Weight Watchers points budget.
There are ways to reduce the SmartPoints value of your pizza. For example, choosing a thin crust and limiting yourself to one slice can help. You can also add vegetables as toppings instead of extra cheese or meat, or swap out fatty meats for lean protein like chicken or ham. Making your own pizza at home with fresh ingredients is another way to ensure you're making healthier choices.
Additionally, the type of pizza you choose matters. "White pizza," which is made without tomato sauce, often has more cheese to make up for the lack of sauce, increasing the calories and saturated fat in each slice. On the other hand, tomato sauce is high in lycopene, an antioxidant that may provide health benefits.
Pizza Hut's Parmesan Cheese: Is There a Cost?
You may want to see also
A slice of Chicago deep-dish pizza is worth 11-15 SmartPoints
A slice of pizza is a slice of pizza, right? Well, not quite. When it comes to SmartPoints, the type of pizza you choose matters. A slice of Chicago deep-dish pizza is worth 11-15 SmartPoints. That's a lot of SmartPoints for one slice of pizza! So, if you're watching your weight, you might want to opt for a different type of pizza or make some adjustments to your slice of deep dish.
Deep-dish pizza originated in Chicago and is known for its thick, towering crust, which can be up to three inches high. It's basically like eating a slice of lasagna, but with a crust that's stuffed and topped with cheese and meat. All that cheese and meat add up in terms of calories, sugar, saturated fat, and protein—the four categories that SmartPoints are based on. The more calories, sugar, and saturated fat in a food, the higher its SmartPoints value.
So, how can you enjoy a slice of Chicago deep-dish pizza without blowing your entire SmartPoints budget for the day? Here are a few tips: First, consider sharing a slice with a friend. That way, you're only consuming half the SmartPoints. You can also request less meat or swap out fatty meats like pepperoni and sausage for lean proteins like ham or chicken. Even better, opt for a thin-crust pizza instead. Thin-crust pizza has fewer SmartPoints because there's less dough.
Remember, SmartPoints aren't just about the food you eat; they're about your overall lifestyle and eating habits. Your daily SmartPoints budget is personalised based on your age, height, weight, and sex, so everyone's experience with the same slice of pizza will be a little different. If you're a member of WW (formerly known as Weight Watchers) you can use their app or calculator to determine the exact SmartPoints value of your pizza and track your budget.
Totino's Pizza Rolls: Are They a Source of Iron?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
White pizza is often topped with more cheese than regular cheese pizza, increasing its SmartPoints value
Pizza is a beloved food worldwide, but it's not always the healthiest option, especially when trying to lose weight. Weight Watchers, or WW, assigns SmartPoints to foods based on calories, sugar, saturated fat, and protein content. The more calories, sugar, and saturated fat in a food, the higher its SmartPoints value.
Cheese pizza, a classic favorite, is high in calories and saturated fat, which can quickly add up and eat into your daily SmartPoints budget. A slice of cheese pizza from a popular chain can contain 220 calories and 3.5 grams of saturated fat, which amounts to 11% and 17.5% of your daily values, respectively, based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
White pizza, which is often made without tomato sauce, takes it a step further. To compensate for the absence of sauce, white pizza is typically topped with more cheese than a regular cheese pizza. This additional cheese increases the calories and saturated fat content per slice, resulting in a higher SmartPoints value. White pizzas may even feature four or more types of cheese, further boosting the SmartPoints.
While pizza can be indulgent, there are ways to make it healthier. You can opt for lean proteins like skinless chicken breast instead of pepperoni and sausage, or choose alternative crusts made from cauliflower or whole-grain flour. Additionally, loading up on vegetable toppings can improve the nutritional profile and add volume to your pizza. Remember, when it comes to pizza and SmartPoints, knowledge is power.
Pizza Hut's Dairy-Free Cheese: What You Need to Know
You may want to see also
Lean protein toppings such as skinless chicken breast can reduce the SmartPoints value of your pizza
Lean protein toppings can be a great way to reduce the SmartPoints value of your pizza. Weight Watchers, or WW, assigns SmartPoints to foods based on calories, sugar, saturated fat, and protein content. The more calories, sugar, and saturated fat in a food, the higher its SmartPoints value. On the other hand, protein has the effect of lowering the SmartPoints value.
Cheese, pepperoni, and sausage are high-calorie foods that are also high in saturated fat. The more of these toppings on your pizza, the higher its SmartPoints value. By swapping out these toppings for lean protein, such as skinless chicken breast, you can significantly decrease the SmartPoints value of your meal. For example, if you're craving a meat topping, leaner alternatives like Canadian bacon or lean ground beef can provide a delicious, savory flavor with more protein and fewer calories. Similarly, if you're looking for a cheesy bite, opting for part-skim mozzarella or ricotta cheese can reduce calorie intake while still providing that creamy, cheesy texture.
In addition to lean protein toppings, there are other simple alterations you can make to reduce the SmartPoints value of your pizza. For instance, choosing a thin crust option or cutting your slice in half can make a significant difference. If you're ordering from popular chains like Domino's, Pizza Hut, or Papa John's, be mindful that these pizzas can be especially high in SmartPoints. Making your own pizza at home with fresh, healthy ingredients is always a great option to consider!
Remember, the Weight Watchers pizza cheat sheet is a valuable resource that can guide your pizza-eating decisions. It offers suggestions for lowering SmartPoints, such as specific topping and crust swaps, and provides a breakdown of pizza types with their corresponding SmartPoints values. Additionally, the Weight Watchers points calculator and phone app are handy tools to help you calculate the SmartPoints in your slice accurately.
The Perfect Pizza: Toppings, Cheese, and the Right Order
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The SmartPoints in a slice of cheese pizza depend on the type of crust and the number of toppings. A slice of cheese pizza from a chain restaurant like Domino's can contain 220 calories, which equates to 11% of your daily calories based on a 2,000-calorie-per-day diet. This can amount to more than half of your daily budget of Weight Watchers points.
You can reduce the SmartPoints value of your cheese pizza by choosing a thin crust option, limiting yourself to one slice, and topping your pizza with vegetables. You can also make your own pizza at home with fresh, healthy ingredients.
If you're looking for a healthier alternative to cheese pizza, consider ordering a pizza with a whole-grain or vegetable-based crust, such as cauliflower or chickpea. You can also add lean protein toppings, such as grilled chicken, instead of pepperoni or sausage.
While cheese pizza may not be the healthiest option, it can be part of an overall healthy eating pattern. Pizza can provide you with calcium and protein from the cheese, and if you top your pizza with vegetables, you can increase its nutritional value.
