Randy Chandler
Pizza is a beloved dish, 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. A slice of pizza can amount to 5 to 16 SmartPoints, depending on various factors. Cheese, a typical pizza topping, is high in calories and saturated fat, contributing significantly to the SmartPoints value. This paragraph introduces the topic of how many Weight Watchers points are in a pizza without cheese, exploring the impact of cheese on the SmartPoints value and providing context on the WW program's approach to this popular food.
Weight Watchers Points for Pizza without Cheese
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Weight Watchers Points | 5-16 per slice |
| Factors Affecting Points | Crust thickness, pie size, types and number of toppings |
| Suggested Toppings | Lean protein (e.g. skinless chicken breast), vegetables |
| Suggested Crust | Thin crust, cauliflower crust, whole wheat pita rounds, fresh naan |
| High-Point Toppings | Cheese, pepperoni, sausage, bacon, potatoes, fried eggs |
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What You'll Learn
- Thin crust pizza has fewer points than regular or deep-dish pizza
- Lean protein toppings, like chicken, can reduce points
- Cheese, pepperoni, and sausage toppings increase points
- Low-carb tortilla wraps are a good low-point base option
- Toppings like veggies, spinach, and tomatoes can improve nutritional value
Thin crust pizza has fewer points than regular or deep-dish pizza
Weight Watchers, also known as 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 lowers the SmartPoints value.
Cheese, pepperoni, and sausage are high-calorie foods that are also high in saturated fat. Therefore, the more of these toppings on your pizza, the higher its SmartPoints value. Conversely, using lean protein, such as skinless chicken breast, on your pizza instead of pepperoni and sausage will decrease the SmartPoints value.
According to the Weight Watchers pizza cheat sheet, a slice of regular cheese pizza with a medium crust from a typical pizza parlor has a value of nine SmartPoints. By simply swapping the medium crust for a thin crust, you can bring the total per slice down to eight SmartPoints. A slice of thick-crust cheese pizza (not as thick as deep-dish) totals 10 SmartPoints, while a slice of Chicago deep-dish pizza has a value of 11 to 15 SmartPoints.
Therefore, thin-crust pizza has fewer points than regular or deep-dish pizza. If you opt for a thin crust, you can also add more toppings without increasing the SmartPoints value as much as you would with a thicker crust. For example, a homemade Weight Watchers pizza recipe with zero-point toppings like vegetables or chopped skinless, boneless chicken breast is only three points per slice.
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Lean protein toppings, like chicken, can reduce points
Cheese, pepperoni, and sausage are high-calorie foods that are also high in saturated fat. The more of these three toppings on your pizza, the higher its SmartPoints value. Conversely, if you use lean protein, such as skinless chicken breast, on your pizza instead of pepperoni and sausage, you will decrease your meal's SmartPoints value. The handy Weight Watchers pizza cheat sheet offers suggestions for making healthier topping choices.
According to the 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, it is best to meet your nutrient needs from food sources rather than powdered protein. Lean protein food sources contain a variety of other nutrients, specifically iron, a nutrient many women should get more of. Lean proteins also help you feel full more quickly while you’re eating, and that fullness may last for hours after you finish.
A small 2014 study at the University of Missouri found that women who consumed a high-protein yogurt snack in the afternoon were significantly less hungry and ate fewer calories at dinner than those who snacked on high-fat crackers or chocolate. Lean meats are those with less than 10 grams of overall fat and 4.5 grams or less of saturated fat per 100-gram serving. For beef and pork, look for the word "loin" on the label. Beef or pork tenderloin and sirloin tip are good choices. Skinless chicken, fish, shellfish, eggs, and low- or fat-free versions of cheese and other dairy are also lean animal proteins.
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Cheese, pepperoni, and sausage toppings increase points
Weight Watchers, also known as 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. On the other hand, protein lowers the SmartPoints value of a food.
Cheese, pepperoni, and sausage are high-calorie foods that are also high in saturated fat. The more of these three toppings on your pizza, the higher its SmartPoints value. Conversely, if you use lean protein, such as skinless chicken breast, on your pizza instead of pepperoni and sausage, you will decrease your meal's SmartPoints value.
For example, a slice of cheese pizza from a popular restaurant chain has around 250 calories and 9 WW Points. Adding meats like sausage or pepperoni will increase the calories and points. A slice of pepperoni pizza will cost you 10 Points. While a personal pan cheese pizza can set you back as many as 20 points.
The Weight Watchers pizza cheat sheet offers suggestions to help guide your pizza-eating decisions. According to the cheat sheet, a slice of Chicago deep-dish pizza has a value of 11 to 15 SmartPoints. If you go the deep-dish route, be mindful of what you eat for the rest of the day to stay within your daily SmartPoints allowance. You can also request no meat or half the meat, and swap out fat-heavy pepperoni or sausage for lean protein such as ham or chicken.
There are also recipes for homemade Weight Watchers pizzas that can save you points. For example, one recipe for a pizza with a crust made from flour, Greek yogurt, herbs, and garlic powder has 3 points per slice when using zero-point toppings like veggies or chopped skinless, boneless chicken breast.
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Low-carb tortilla wraps are a good low-point base option
Weight Watchers, also known as 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 without cheese can be a good low-point option, and using low-carb tortilla wraps as a base can further reduce the SmartPoints value of your pizza.
Tumaro's Low-in-Carb wraps are 1 point each, and La Banderita Carb Smart tortillas are 1 point for a street taco and 2 points for a regular size. The Mission brand offers "Carb Balance" tortillas that are 2 points, and their "Zero Net Carb" tortillas are even lower in points. La Banderita also makes a Keto Street Taco tortilla that is 0 points for one tortilla and 1 point for two tortillas. Aldi's Fit & Active brand offers an Original Flatbread that is 2 points for one tortilla and 3 points for two tortillas.
When using low-carb tortilla wraps as a pizza base, you can add unlimited zero-point veggies and some protein for a satisfying and nutritious meal. Light cheeses, such as Laughing Cow Light Cheese or Happy Farms Light Pepper Jack Cheese, can also be added for 1 SmartPoint per triangle.
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Toppings like veggies, spinach, and tomatoes can improve nutritional value
While a pizza without cheese can be a good option for those on a diet, adding toppings like vegetables, spinach, and tomatoes can further improve its nutritional value.
Vegetables are a rich source of nutrients and can be a healthy addition to your pizza. Seaweed, also known as sea vegetables, for example, is a versatile plant packed with vitamins and minerals. It is one of the few plant-based sources of the omega-3 fatty acids docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid, which are typically found in meat and dairy products. Seaweed is also rich in iodine, an essential nutrient for thyroid function. Other vegetables like beets are great for improving heart health as they are rich in nitrates. They are also beneficial for people with diabetes due to their antioxidant content.
Spinach, a leafy green vegetable, is another nutritious topping that can improve the health profile of your pizza. It is loaded with vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K1, folic acid, iron, and calcium. Spinach is also a great source of plant compounds such as lutein, zeaxanthin, and kaempferol, which are linked to improved eye health and a reduced risk of cancer and chronic diseases. Additionally, spinach contains high amounts of nitrates, which promote heart health, and quercetin, an antioxidant that may help fight infections and reduce inflammation.
Tomatoes, while technically a fruit, are commonly used as a vegetable topping for pizzas. They are an excellent source of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that has been linked to a reduced risk of heart disease and cancer. The beta-carotene present in tomatoes also offers cancer-fighting properties. Tomatoes are also a good source of vitamin C, potassium, folate, and vitamin K, contributing to their nutritional value.
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Frequently asked questions
The number of points depends on various factors, such as crust thickness, pie size, and toppings. A slice of pizza without cheese would be lower in points than a slice with cheese. For example, a slice of thin-crust pizza with no cheese and vegetable toppings would be lower in points than a slice of deep-dish pizza with a stuffed crust.
Using a thin crust, limiting yourself to one slice, and choosing vegetable toppings are some ways to reduce the points of a pizza. Additionally, making your own pizza at home with fresh, low-point ingredients can also help lower the points.
Yes, there are several Weight Watchers-friendly pizza recipes available online. Some recipes suggest using a tortilla wrap or pita bread as the base, while others provide tips for making a homemade dough with flour, Greek yogurt, and herbs. These recipes typically recommend using low-fat or fat-free cheese, lean protein, and plenty of vegetables as toppings.
Weight Watchers, also known as 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. So, a pizza with a thick crust, lots of cheese, and high-calorie toppings would have a higher SmartPoints value than a thin-crust pizza with fewer toppings.
Yes, pizza can still be enjoyed while following Weight Watchers, but it is important to be mindful of your choices. Opting for thin-crust pizza, choosing healthier toppings, and practising portion control can help you stay within your daily point budget. Additionally, Weight Watchers provides resources such as the WW app, which includes a points calculator and recipe suggestions, to help you make informed decisions when it comes to pizza.
