Healthy Eating at Pizza Hut
I almost cringed while typing that title. Healthy eating at pizza hut almost seems like an oxymoron. But hey, anything is possible and with a little planning and self control Pizza Hut doesn’t have to be the place your diet goes to die.
Disclaimer: I recognize that fast food is what it is—lots of sodium, processed food, probably GMOs, animals raised in factory farms—my point is NOT to laud fast food as the healthiest choice, but to help you discover some of the healthiest fast food options out there.
Pizza Hut Pros
- Website that posts all their nutrition information online—so you can take a second and plan ahead before heading out or check it on your smartphone while you wait.
- Some pizza huts have salad bars and salad options—but it varies from place to place.
- Thanks to their Book-it reading incentive program– I am a fan for life.
Pizza Hut Cons
- There are a lot of things to get tripped up on—pan pizza, cheesy breadsticks, chocolate treats, pastas—it’s all good, greasy, and (mostly) not-good-for you. So that’s pretty much the big con.
Healthy Choices at Pizza Hut
Crust
The rule of thumb when it comes to pizza is the thinner the crust the lighter in calories it will be. So thin and crispy is your best bet, then hand tossed, then their new garlic parmesan, then pan, stuffed crust would be the bottom of the barrel or the top of the heap, depending on your perspective. 
Toppings
Vegetables are clearly a win—onions, mushrooms, green peppers, load them up!
Lean meats like ham and chicken are better choices than sausage and pepperoni.
Ask for light cheese or no cheese to decrease the amount of calories.
Other Options
Utilize the salad bar or a side salad if the pizza hut offers it. If you are using carryout then make up a big, fresh salad to eat at home or some cut up veggies as a side.
Regular breadsticks are 140 calories so not great, but not terrible if you just have one—ie use moderation. Cinnamon breadsticks are also only 80 calories each, so they aren’t too bad if you’re craving something sweet.
To Be Avoided
These are the bad boys of the bad boys of pizza hut. Tread carefully and occasionally.
- Deep dish or cheese stuffed pizza topped with meat lovers or supreme.
- Calzones and both of the pastas are loaded with fat and calories.
- A stuffed pizza roller will set you back about 230 calories a piece—wowza!
- Apple pie is the worst calorie offender in the dessert arena, but chocolate dippers aren’t too far behind.
My Choice
So for my healthy eating at pizza hut I would choose two slices of a hand tossed pizza with onions, green pepper, mushrooms, and ham. I’d get a side salad if I could or add in some veggies at home. I might grab one regular or cinnamon breadstick too. I’d probably drink a diet pepsi because in my humble opinion it is the best beverage to go with a slice of pizza. Maybe order it with a glass of water too and sip that until the pizza comes– that would be smart! (I don’t drink pop often but when I do, I tend to DOWN it for some reason.)
If you like this post be sure to check out the other posts in my other Healthy Eating at… series.
Healthy Eating at Buffalo Wild Wings
What’s your go-to pizza choice? Also, any old book-it kids out there?
I love the title – it made me click to read :). I also love how you see that almost anything can fit into your lifestyle in moderation. I remember being a part of the Book It Program way, way, way back in the day – it’s what made me a fan too!
Exactly! And the principles apply to any pizza place too. 🙂 And yay book-it!
great post! stl is known for their thin crust pizza so thats a win for stl for once! haha and i love a good veggie pizza!
What is stl? Thin crust isn’t my favorite unless it is grilled–then it is yummy to me! But maybe I’ve not been eating the right kind of thin crust…
I loved Book-It as a kid! I am now pulling out all my old books from my parents attic for my daughter and tons of them have “Book-It” and a date written in it. I’m pretty sure I read a lot more books than redeemed the pizza vouchers though.
I don’t go to P-Hut often, but my in-laws take us there for lunch occasionally and we always get thin crust. I don’t know how anyone can get the pan or stuffed crust – so gross!
Yeah, my favorite crust is the hand-tossed, but my hubby LOVES pan. (I like it too, but it is SO greasy!) I really do think the book-it tiny pan pizzas hooked me on it. Maybe they have a marketing genius on their staff. 😉
I haven’t had Pizza Hut in ages! I love their buffet when they have it so you can start with salad.
That buffet is a double edged sword for sure! It’s great you can have a salad, but then I always feel like I have to “eat my money’s worth” which is never a good thing. lol! And pizza is my favorite food so…yeah…pizza buffets are like my kryptonite. 😛
Yep, thing crust and veggies is the way to go. Lots of veggies.
I LOVE pizza, but I have never been able to eat Pizza Hut without getting sick to my stomach afterwards. It’s just too greasy for me. I’m sure people would say the same thing about Dominos and Pappa Johns, but those I can handle.
Their pizza definitely IS greasy–especially the pan-style. :/
Great idea on a series, Kate! My opinion on Pizza Hut, though, is that since I don’t go all that often, if I’m in the mood for a cheesy deep stuffed slice/pie of heaven, I’m sure as anything gonna to eat it. And love every bite. :).
Yes! There are definitely times when I chalk it up to a treat meal and have whatever I want too. But I mostly save those pizza gluttonies for my favorite local pizza place or deep-dish pizza in Chicago.
I’m not a fan of thin crust either. I actually just had two slices tonight and was kind of mad at myself because I’m following this nutrition plan…but I guess in the grand scheme of things it’s not THAT bad for you 🙂 Thanks for giving healthy options!
I can honestly say, I cannot remember the last time I was at a Pizza Hut. Wait no. I take that back…… I think it was in 7th Grade when I was in London! We got some before we went to see Fast & The Furious! HA AH AH! Weird how I randomly remember this now!