Patrick Oconnell
Pizza is a beloved dish for many, but it's not always the healthiest option. Weight Watchers, or WW, assigns SmartPoints to foods based on calories, sugar, saturated fat, and protein content. The higher the calories, sugar, and saturated fat, the more SmartPoints a food has. Pizza can be a concern for those counting SmartPoints, as it is typically made with greasy cheese and white dough. However, there are ways to enjoy pizza while being mindful of your SmartPoints budget. For example, you can opt for a cauliflower crust, colourful veggie toppings, or a plain pizzeria slice.
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- Points vary based on crust thickness, pie size, and toppings
- A slice of Domino's 12-inch pizza is 11% of a 2,000-calorie diet
- White pizza has more cheese and no tomato sauce, increasing calories and saturated fat
- Thin-crust pizza has fewer points than regular or deep-dish pizza
- Low-fat cheese doesn't melt as well as full-fat cheese, but you can use foil to help it melt
Points vary based on crust thickness, pie size, and toppings
The number of Weight Watchers points in a big cheese pizza can vary based on crust thickness, pie size, and toppings. Typically, Weight Watchers pizza points, or SmartPoints, can range from five to 16 per slice, depending on these factors.
For example, a slice of Domino's 12-inch hand-tossed regular cheese pizza contains 220 calories, which equates to 11% of your daily calories based on a 2,000-calorie diet. This slice would also provide 3.5 grams of saturated fat (17.5% of the recommended daily value) and 450 milligrams of sodium (18.8% of the recommended daily value). The SmartPoints value of this slice would be higher than that of a slice with fewer calories, grams of saturated fat, and milligrams of sodium.
The type of crust you choose can also impact the number of Weight Watchers points in a big cheese pizza. For instance, a thin crust pizza will generally have fewer points than a regular or deep-dish pizza. Additionally, opting for a whole-wheat pita round or fresh naan as your crust can further reduce the number of points. If you're feeling adventurous, you could even experiment with a cauliflower or chickpea crust, which are great gluten-intolerant options.
The size of the pie will also affect the points value. A larger pie will typically yield larger slices, resulting in a higher point value per slice. For example, a slice from an 18-inch New York-style pizza is equivalent to more than two regular slices in terms of point value.
Lastly, the toppings you choose can also impact the points value of your big cheese pizza. Adding colourful veggies like broccoli, tomato slices, or peppers can boost the nutritional value of your pizza without significantly increasing the points. On the other hand, toppings like bacon, potatoes, and additional cheeses can drive up the calorie and saturated fat content, resulting in a higher points value.
The Science Behind Pizza's Missing Cheese Pull
You may want to see also
A slice of Domino's 12-inch pizza is 11% of a 2,000-calorie diet
A slice of Domino's 12-inch pizza is a tasty treat, but it's important to be mindful of its nutritional value, especially if you're watching your calorie intake or following a specific diet plan like Weight Watchers. Each slice of this pizza contributes 220 calories, which is about 11% of your daily calories if you're aiming for a 2,000-calorie diet. This calorie count also depends on the toppings and crust you choose.
When it comes to Weight Watchers, they use a system called SmartPoints to help guide your food choices. The program, now called WW, assigns SmartPoints to foods based on four categories: calories, sugar, saturated fat, and protein. The more calories, sugar, and saturated fat in a food, the higher its SmartPoints value. A slice of pizza can range from 5 to 16 SmartPoints, depending on various factors.
For example, a New York-style pizza slice is typically larger and can be equivalent to more than two regular slices in terms of SmartPoints value. Similarly, a slice of Chicago deep-dish pizza can have a value of 11 to 15 SmartPoints. The crust type and toppings can significantly impact the SmartPoints value of your pizza.
To make healthier choices while enjoying pizza, consider the following tips:
- Opt for veggie-based sides or appetizers, such as garlicky sautéed spinach, roasted broccoli, or eggplant in marinara sauce, to add volume and nutrients to your meal.
- Choose colourful veggie toppings or experiment with unexpected crusts like cauliflower or whole-grain to increase fibre intake.
- Be mindful of portion sizes, especially with larger slices, and consider sharing with a friend to reduce your SmartPoints intake.
The Ultimate Cheese Moisture Guide for Pizza Perfection
You may want to see also
White pizza has more cheese and no tomato sauce, increasing calories and saturated fat
The number of Weight Watchers points in a big cheese pizza can vary depending on several factors. The crust thickness, pie size, and toppings can all influence the point value. Typically, Weight Watchers pizza points or SmartPoints can range from five to 16 per slice.
Now, when it comes to white pizza, the absence of tomato sauce and the addition of more cheese come into play. White pizza, also known as pizza bianca, forgoes the traditional tomato sauce and instead, opts for a higher quantity of cheese. This change significantly impacts the nutritional profile of the pizza.
Firstly, let's talk about the lack of tomato sauce. Tomatoes are a good source of lycopene, an antioxidant that has been linked to reduced risk of certain cancers and lower blood pressure. By choosing a white pizza, you're missing out on the potential health benefits of lycopene.
Secondly, and perhaps more crucially, the extra cheese on a white pizza increases both the calorie count and the amount of saturated fat. Cheese is naturally high in fat and calories, so adding more can quickly boost the overall calorie and fat content of the pizza. For example, a slice of white pizza can contain about 274 calories and 9.7 grams of total fat, with 4.9 grams being saturated fat. In comparison, a slice of Domino's 12-inch hand-tossed regular cheese pizza has 220 calories and 3.5 grams of saturated fat.
The higher calorie and saturated fat content of white pizza directly affects its Weight Watchers SmartPoints value. Weight Watchers assigns SmartPoints based on calories, sugar, saturated fat, and protein. So, the increased calories and saturated fat in white pizza will result in a higher SmartPoints value compared to a regular cheese pizza.
If you're watching your weight or trying to make healthier choices, it's important to be mindful of these differences. While white pizza may be tempting, the extra cheese can quickly add up in terms of calories and fat. However, this doesn't mean you have to avoid it entirely. As with any food, moderation is key. You can still enjoy white pizza occasionally, but be conscious of portion sizes and try to balance it with healthier choices throughout the day.
Aged Cheese on Pizzas: Enhancing the Flavor Experience
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Thin-crust pizza has fewer points than regular or deep-dish pizza
It's possible to enjoy pizza while following the Weight Watchers plan. The number of points in a pizza slice can vary from five to 16, depending on the crust thickness, pie size, and toppings.
A thin-crust pizza has fewer points than a regular or deep-dish pizza. For example, a slice of plain-cheese thin-crust pizza has a value of eight SmartPoints, whereas a slice of thick-crust cheese pizza has a value of 10 SmartPoints. A slice of Chicago deep-dish pizza has an even higher value of 11 to 15 SmartPoints.
If you're making your own pizza, you can use whole wheat pita rounds or fresh naan for the crust, which will have fewer points than a traditional pizza base. You can also experiment with different types of cheese to reduce the points value. For example, you could use a low-fat cheddar blend, fat-free cheese, or a small amount of full-fat cheese. If you're looking for a stronger flavor, you can use a stronger cheese, as you will need less of it to get that cheesy taste.
When ordering pizza from a restaurant, there are a few things to keep in mind to reduce the points value. Firstly, avoid pizzas with a lot of toppings, especially cheese, meat, and other high-calorie, high-fat options. Instead, opt for veggie-centric specialty pies or add lean protein such as grilled chicken or ham. You can also ask for half the amount of meat to reduce the points value. Additionally, choose marinara sauce over cheese, cream, or pesto options, as these can have extra saturated fat.
Remember, the key to enjoying pizza while following Weight Watchers is moderation and making smart choices. By being mindful of portion sizes and choosing healthier options, you can still indulge in your favorite cheesy treat without derailing your wellness goals.
Cheese Pizza: A Surprising Source of Iron?
You may want to see also
Low-fat cheese doesn't melt as well as full-fat cheese, but you can use foil to help it melt
A big slice of pizza can contain up to 16 Weight Watchers points, depending on the crust thickness, pie size, and toppings. For instance, a slice of Domino's 12-inch hand-tossed regular cheese pizza is 11% of your daily calories, amounting to 3.5 grams of saturated fat and 18.8% of the recommended daily value.
When making Weight Watchers-friendly pizzas at home, you can use low-fat cheddar, fat-free cheese, or a small amount of full-fat cheese. However, low-fat cheese doesn't melt as well as full-fat cheese due to its lower moisture content. To improve melting, you can use low-fat cheese in its shredded form or cover the pizza loosely with foil during the last few minutes of baking. This traps heat and helps the cheese melt better.
Mozzarella is a good option for pizza as it melts well and is traditional for this dish. You can also use a stronger cheese like cheddar, as you will need less for the same cheesy flavor. Additionally, choosing a whole-grain crust or a vegetable-based crust, such as cauliflower, can make your pizza healthier.
When ordering pizza, opt for veggie-centric pies with wild mushrooms or squash, and add flavor with herbs. Choose marinara sauce over cheese, cream, or pesto sauces, which are higher in saturated fat. Max out on colorful vegetable toppings like broccoli, tomatoes, and peppers, even if you're adding meat.
Cheese Pizza: Does Sauce Belong?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The number of Weight Watchers points in a big cheese pizza can vary depending on the crust thickness, pie size, and toppings. A slice of pizza can range from 5 to 16 Weight Watchers points.
To reduce the number of Weight Watchers points, you can use a thin or vegetable-based crust, such as cauliflower or whole-grain. You can also opt for low-fat or fat-free cheese, or use a stronger cheese so you need less for the same flavour.
Yes, in addition to the crust and cheese choices, you can add plenty of vegetables as toppings and choose a marinara sauce over cheese, cream, or pesto options.
Yes, Weight Watchers offers a Smart Ones frozen pizza with 13 Smart Points, which you can find at some grocery stores. You can also make your own low-point pizza at home using a tortilla wrap or a two-ingredient dough recipe.
