Honestly, Frozen Pizza Is Pretty Damn Healthy These Days
Honestly, Frozen Pizza Is Pretty Damn Healthy These Days
Unless you cover your pie with vegetables (and, honestly, who does that...), healthy pizza doesn't really seem like a thing that exists. I mean, usually it's pretty much just a giant circle of bread covered in cheese and greasy processed meat—and frozen pizzas are no exception.
“Frozen pizza, in particular, tends to be high in refined carbs, fat, sodium, and sometimes tons of additives and preservatives,” says Lauren Harris-Pincus, RDN, dietitian and author of The Protein-Packed Breakfast Club.
Of course, a little bit of pizza every once in a while is not going to make or break a healthy lifestyle. However, some options (especially when it comes to the frozen stuff) are better than others. Some frozen pizzas can actually make for a pretty balanced meal (gasp!).
First, find a pie that's free of artificial additives and provides you with some vegetables, suggests dietitian Kelly Jones, RD. Up your veggie intake further by adding more to your pie, or eating a salad or side of the good stuff alongside your slices.
Also, make sure you've got a good source of protein either on the pie or on the side to limit your chances of overeating, Jones says.
Next time you're in the mood for a cheesy slice, the couch, and a new Netflix show, heat up one of these 13 healthy frozen pizzas.
1) Cali'flour Foods Supreme Veggie Pizza
THE NEW WHITE FLOUR CALIFLOUR FOODS
amazon.com
Though many frozen pizzas these days advertise themselves as "cauliflower crust," they often still contain other starches, like rice, tapioca, and potato, too.
This cauli crust is made with cauliflower and cheese, making the pie gluten- and grain-free—and low in carbs.
Plus, “It's packed with 19 grams of protein, which is about the same as three eggs,” says Jones.
Per serving: 250 calories, 16 g fat (10 g sat), 8 g carbs, 3 g sugar, 1 g fiber, 570 mg sodium, 19 g protein
2) Lean Cuisine Origins Frozen Farmers Market Pizza
Lean Cuisine
target.com
Lean Cuisine has really stepped up their game with this organic pie, which is made without any artificial additives or preservatives.
“Topped with kale, mushrooms, and red peppers, it's tastier than plain pizza and makes a great vegetarian meal served with a side salad,” says Harris-Pincus.
Per serving: 320 calories, 9g fat (3.5 g sat), 46 g carbs, 3 g fiber, 4 g sugar, 610 mg sodium, 14 g protein
3) Real Good Pizza Co. Veggie Cauliflower Crust Pizza
Real Good Foods
amazon.com
$45.99
With crust made with cauliflower, almond flour, coconut flour, and cheese, this low-carb pie is great for keto eaters.
“Though higher in fat than most, this pie is actually low in saturated fat since some of its fat comes from the plant-based flours,” says Harris-Pincus.
Plus, it provides 20 percent of your daily fiber needs, and 50 percent of your daily calcium per serving.
Per serving: 330 calories, 23 g fat (8 g sat), 12 g carbs, 5 g fiber, 3 g sugar, 670 mg sodium, 19 g protein
4) Spinatos Handcrafted Broccoli Crust Margherita Pizza
Spinatos
amazon.com
Cauliflower isn't the only veggie in the pizza crust game anymore. "You'd never guess that its first ingredient in this pizza is broccoli,” says Jones.
This first-ever broccoli-crust frozen pizza uses certified gluten-free ingredients and hormone-free cheese.
“My husband ranks it as a top frozen pizza—and not just a top healthy frozen pizza,” Jones adds.
Per serving: 180 calories, 8 g fat (4.5 g sat), 21 g carbs, 1 g fiber, 3 g sugar, 430 mg sodium, 7 g protein
5) Quest Spinach & Mushroom Thin Crust Pizza
Quest Nutrition
target.com
This Quest pizza has a dairy protein-based crust that is gluten-, soy-, and nut-free.
It's crazy high in protein and fiber, but low in net carbs, says Harris-Pincus. Since the sodium is a little hefty, though, stick to one serving and pair it with plenty of water and veggies.
Per serving: 340 calories, 22 g fat (10 g saturated), 22 g carbs, 17 g fiber, 2 g sugar, 820 mg sodium, 28 g protein
6) Amy's Frozen Roasted Vegetable Pizza
Amy's
amazon.com
Vegans and non-vegans alike will appreciate this cheese-free pie, which is topped with mushrooms, sweet onions, and roasted red peppers.
“The BBQ tomato sauce is what wins people over, but the fact that it's made from high-quality, mostly organic ingredients is truly what makes it so good,” says Jones.
Per serving: 280 calories, 9 g fat (1.5 g saturated), 42 g carbs, 3 g fiber, 5 g sugar, 540 mg sodium, 7 g protein
7) Outer Aisle Plant Power Pizza Crusts
amazon.com
If you want to DIY your own toppings, start with these cauliflower-powered pizza crusts.
“These have no artificial ingredients, are low-carb, low-calorie, gluten-free, and grain-free,” says Schapiro.
She recommends topping them with your favorite sauce, veggies, and some chicken for extra protein.
Per serving: 120 calories, fat 6 g (3 g sat), 4 g carbs, 1 g fiber, 1 g sugar, 310 mg sodium, 10 g protein
8) California Pizza Kitchen Crispy Thin Crust Margherita Pizza
California Pizza Kit
target.com
“The ingredients in this CPK pizza are totally recognizable, and the sugar and sodium content is lower than many other pizzas,” says dietitian Maggie Michalczyk, RD, who recommends pairing it with a big salad.
CPK also makes gluten-free and cauli crust pies.
Per serving: 190 calories, fat 8g (4g sat, 21 g carbs, 1 g fiber, 4 g sugar, 400 mg sodium, 8 g protein
9) Sweet Earth Veggie Lovers Pizza
target.com
This pie is a pro at sneaking in good-for-you ingredients. The crust contains carrots and chia seeds, there's cauliflower blended into the sauce, and toppings include Brussels sprouts, mushrooms, and broccoli.
“Even better, the sodium is lower than the majority of frozen pies and a serving provides 50 percent of your daily vitamin C,” says Jones.
Per serving: 240 calories, 7 g fat (1.5 g sat), 38 g carbs, 5 g fiber, 3 g sugar, 300 mg sodium, 6 g protein
10) Smart Flour Foods Ancient Grains Margherita Pizza
Smart Flour
amazon.com
“This company makes foods using ancient grains like sorghum, amaranth, and teff, which are gluten-free and considered better for your health,” says dietitian Sofia Norton, MS, RD.
Their margherita pie is made with an ancient grain crust, organic cheese, and a tasty tomato sauce. “It has a balanced macronutrient profile and is an excellent source of calcium and protein,” she adds.
Per serving: 300 calories, 10 g fat (4.5 g sat), 42 g carbs, 3 g fiber, 6 g sugar, 710 mg sodium, 10 g protein
11) Sprouts Organic Spinach & Ricotta Pizza
sprouts.com
This pizza boasts a good amount of fiber and protein per serving.
"More unique, though, is that it is certified organic and made in Italy, where you'll find some of the highest-quality pizza ingredients,” Jones says.
Plus, Sprouts Brand products are super affordable, so it’s a great budget-friendly pie.
Per serving: 268 calories, 10 g fat (4 g sat), 37 g carbs, 4 g fiber, 5 g sugar, 670 mg sodium, 10 g protein
12) DiGiorno Thin & Crispy Garden Vegetable Pizza
digiorno.com
“This thin-crust pizza is great for sneaking veggies into your diet," says Norton. "The added veggies boost the pies' fiber, vitamin, and antioxidant content.”
Because it has a thin crust, this pizza is also lower in carbs and calories than other frozen pies, so that’s a plus.
Per serving: 210 calories, 10 g fat (4.5 g sat), 23 g carbs, 2 g fiber, 3 g sugar, 450 mg sodium, 8 g protein
I'm not just talking cauliflower crusts, either.