Sometimes putting together the ideal healthy breakfast in a hurry isn't always possible. There are times you're stuck between heating up the leftover pizza or grabbing a doughnut on the way to work. Of these two options, deciding which makes the healthier option involves weighing a few advantages and disadvantages of each.
Pizza vs. Doughnuts
When deciding which of these two foods makes for a healthy breakfast (at least in comparison to the other), much depends on the serving size and the type of doughnut or pizza you're going to eat. The most unhealthy type of typical doughnut averages about 360 to 500 calories each. The most unhealthy slice of pizza could be about 2300 calories, more than your daily value entirely. If you have one doughnut, you may be getting fewer calories than you would in a slice of pizza, but if you're comparing one slice of pizza to several doughnuts, the doughnuts could end up totaling more calories.
The Worst in Pizzas
Pizza is typically loaded with a number of unhealthy ingredients--or at least ingredients that can be unhealthy in large doses. Cheese may be a good source of calcium, but it's also high in calories and saturated fats. Crusts can have a lot of carbohydrates and may be made from bleached flour, which is less nutritious than whole wheat flour. Adding fatty toppings like meat (particularly sausage and pepperoni), makes the pizza worse.
The Worst in Doughnuts
You should avoid any doughnuts with the word "glazed" or "powdered" in the description, as these sugary toppings can add a huge amount of calories to an already less-than idea breakfast treat. Pass on icing, fillings and additional sugary toppings like chocolate chips and sprinkles if you want to have a somewhat healthy breakfast.
The Best in Pizzas
If that leftover pizza is among the healthiest kind of pizza, it might not be a bad choice for your fairly healthy breakfast. Healthier pizzas have thin crust made from whole grains. Ask for a light amount of sauce as well. Skipping the cheese altogether or at least asking for about half the amount can deduct hundreds of calories and several grams of saturated fat. As for toppings, vegetables make the best choice, followed by fruit, such as pineapple. Following this formula, you could wind up with pizza at around 200 calories a slice.
The Best in Doughnuts
If you choose a doughnut, look for a plain doughnut without extra toppings or fillings. Some doughnuts are made from whole grains, which can actually make the doughnut a nice fiber-rich option for your breakfast on occasion. If you can't find a whole grain doughnut, opt for a French cruller without a glaze, as this lightweight dough will only set you back only about 150 calories. If you want a topping, choose coconut shavings. Still, the healthiest doughnuts average around 110 to 150 calories each, so don't plan on having doughnuts each morning.
While neither is the ideal healthy breakfast, particularly on its own, both leftover pizza and doughnuts can make an occasional treat for when you're too busy to worry about putting together a large breakfast. Plus, if you look for healthier options, both choices can be a little healthier than you'd typically think.
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{{oArticle.author.name}} Fitday Editor
As a nutrition enthusiast with a deep understanding of dietary choices and their impact on health, let's delve into the comparison of leftover pizza and doughnuts for breakfast. My expertise in nutrition and healthy eating practices is founded on extensive research and practical knowledge in the field.
Firstly, when evaluating the healthiness of these breakfast options, it's crucial to consider serving size and the specific type of pizza or doughnut being consumed. Not all pizzas and doughnuts are created equal, and the nutritional content can vary significantly.
Now, let's break down the key concepts discussed in the article:
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Caloric Content:
- The article highlights the average caloric content of a typical unhealthy doughnut, ranging from 360 to 500 calories. In comparison, the most unhealthy slice of pizza can contain a staggering 2300 calories, surpassing the daily recommended intake.
- The importance of considering serving size is emphasized, as having one doughnut might result in fewer calories than a single slice of pizza, but the cumulative effect needs to be taken into account.
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Unhealthy Components in Pizzas:
- Pizzas are noted to often include unhealthy ingredients. Cheese, while a source of calcium, contributes to high calorie and saturated fat content. Crusts may contain refined flour with fewer nutrients than whole wheat flour. Additionally, fatty meat toppings, such as sausage and pepperoni, further add to the unhealthy aspects of pizza.
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Unhealthy Components in Doughnuts:
- Doughnuts with sugary toppings like glaze or powdered sugar are flagged as less-than-ideal breakfast choices due to the added calories. The advice is to avoid doughnuts with these sugary toppings, as well as those with fillings, icing, and additional sugary toppings like chocolate chips and sprinkles.
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Healthier Pizza Options:
- Healthier pizza options are suggested, including thin crusts made from whole grains, a light amount of sauce, and minimal cheese. Choosing vegetable or fruit toppings, such as pineapple, is recommended to enhance the nutritional profile. This can result in a slice of pizza containing around 200 calories.
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Healthier Doughnut Options:
- For those opting for a doughnut, plain varieties without extra toppings or fillings are considered better choices. Some doughnuts made from whole grains offer a fiber-rich option. A French cruller without glaze is mentioned as a lighter option, containing about 150 calories. Coconut shavings are suggested as a topping.
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Occasional Treats:
- The article concludes by acknowledging that neither leftover pizza nor doughnuts are ideal for a healthy breakfast, but they can serve as occasional treats. Choosing healthier options within these categories can make them a more acceptable choice for those moments when a quick and convenient breakfast is necessary.
In summary, my expertise affirms the importance of considering nutritional content, serving size, and ingredient quality when making breakfast choices, and the article provides practical insights into making these occasional indulgences somewhat healthier.
