There’s nothing wrong with getting a frozen meal when you’re short on time or have had a long day and don’t want to do something in the kitchen from scratch. There are some options that are not so bad for you! And it’s no secret that frozen pizza is a quick and easy way to have classic homemade food in your hands in no time, great for those cold winter nights in particular when you need something extra cozy and warm to bite on. However, not all frozen pizzas are the same.
In fact, frozen pizza can be quite harmful to health based on toppings, type of crust, sodium levels and any other additives that may be present. Sure, you should navigate the aisle and check the labels to find the best options, but here’s a useful tip on the number one frozen pizza that you should never buy, according to a nutritionist.
The worst frozen pizza you should ever stay away from is …
DiGiorno Three Meat Croissant Crust Pizza
Per serving: 410 calories, 22 g of fat (10 g of saturated fat, 0 g of trans fat), 840 mg of sodium, 36 g of carbohydrates (2 g of fiber, 4 g of sugar), 17 grams of protein
Don’t be fooled by this light, airy and scaly croissant crust that DiGiorno is offering.
“This pizza is rich in calories, sodium, saturated fat and carbohydrates and the list of ingredients is very long, with mainly processed ingredients”, says Ilyse Schapiro MS, RD, CDN.
In comparison to other regular frozen pizzas, this is also one of the most caloric per serving. And we all know how difficult it is to have just a small slice! If you are looking to lose a few pounds, this pizza will certainly not help you at all. In addition, sodium is ridiculously high.
“Anyone sensitive to sodium or with high blood pressure should avoid this pizza,” says Schapiro, as excessive sodium consumption also increases the risk of heart disease, high cholesterol and stroke.
“[This pizza] is high in carbohydrates and low in fiber, which is not a good combination, “she adds. See, all of these carbohydrates will simply swell you up and be refined, as opposed to complex and fibrous, which would be better for your gut and it would serve as an adequate fuel for your body. Fiber slows digestion, explains Schapiro, which leads to fullness. So without the right fibers and just eating white carbs, you won’t feel satiated. You can grab a dessert after a few slices of pizza, for example! (And just so you know, here’s the easy way to prepare healthier foods for comfort.)
So, what should you eat?
You can still enjoy a frozen pizza, as long as you are looking for the right type. Opt for cauliflower crust pizza, which contains less carbohydrates, recommends Schapiro.
“I’m a huge fan of cauliflower crust pizza, but you have to be careful and make sure you’re choosing one with the least amount of ingredients,” she explains. “I like the Cauliflower Foods Original Traditional Italian Crust. It has only 6 ingredients, all natural and that you can pronounce.” There are no processed ingredients and, in general, it is low in calories and carbohydrates, as well as sodium, compared to most pizza crusts. It is also a good option for those on low carbohydrate diets, such as keto or paleo, or even if you are just looking for a healthier option, with fewer calories and more dense vegetables.
“You can also buy a whole wheat crust and cover it with your own toppings! It is much healthier if you cover it with your own sauce, cheese and vegetables, ”says Schapiro. She is a fan of the Plant-Strong Foods pizza kit.
“The first ingredient is whole wheat flour and it has 3 grams of fiber,” she says, which is relatively good for pizza dough. “There are only six all-natural ingredients and it is very low in sodium, so it is a great choice for those who are taking care of their weight and trying to keep the sodium low,” he adds.
See, you can still enjoy an evening with frozen pizza. As long as you’re not choosing the worst option, of course!