Monday, January 02, 2012

Fast Food Wars: Domino's Pizza

Domino’s Pizza is the first pizza restaurant to be subjected to analysis the Fast Food Wars. According to the Domino’s Pizza Wikipedia entry, Domino’s Pizza is the second-largest pizza chain in the United States. Domino's currently has nearly 9,000 corporate and franchised stores in 60 international market and all 50 U.S. states.

A few words about how the Domino's Pizza analyses were conducted. It was initially confusing to how to find all of the nutritional information for some specific Domino's Pizza items. This is because their nutritional pdf only provides ranges for the nutritional informational of foods on various categories rather than tell you the values for each item.

To find the nutritional information for each specific item, you need to click on their Cal-O-Meter, select an item, and then click View Details to the upper right. Since Dominos has 4 different pizza crusts and 4 different sizes with so many different toppings, there are almost an infinite amount of possible pizza creations. To simplify matters, results are presented for large pizzas only because this size applies to all crusts (not all sizes do) and because it is the standard size that people order.

As a reminder, the analyses conducted below are based on a formula I created called the UHI (UnHealthy Index). The UHI is calculated by taking the six most common nutritional concerns that people have (total calories, saturated fat, trans fats, cholesterol, sodium, and carbohydrates), adding them together, and dividing by six. Higher UHI scores reflect unhealthier foods and scores closer to zero (i.e., water) reflect healthier foods.

UNHEALTHIEST FOODS OVERALL:


First, let’s start with the five foods on the Domino's menu with the highest UHI scores. The unhealthiest food you can purchase there in the above nutritional categories are all in the oven baked sandwich category (serving size = 1 sandwich). These include:

1. The Italian Sandwich: It contains Pepperoni, Salami, & Ham topped with Banana Peppers, Green Peppers, Onions, & Premium Provolone Cheese. This bad boy has 820 calories, 20 grams of saturated fat, 1 grams of trans fat, 130 mg of cholesterol, 2700 mg of salt, and 70 grams of carbohydrates. Total UHI score: 623.5.

2. Buffalo Chicken with Blue Cheese: Total calories: = 830, saturated fat = 16 grams, trans fat = 1 grams, cholesterol = 115 grams, sodium = 2690 mg, carbohydrates =74 grams. Total UHI = 621.

3. Chicken Bacon Ranch: Total calories = 870, saturated fat = 16 grams, trans fat = 1 gram, cholesterol = 125 grams, sodium = 2380 mg, carbohydrates = 72 grams. Total UHI = 577.3.

4. Italian Sausage and Peppers: Total calories = 860, saturated fat = 21 grams, trans fat = 1 grams, cholesterol = 125 grams, sodium = 2260 mg, carbohydrates = 74 grams. Total UHI = 556.8.

5. Sweet and Spicy Chicken Habernero: Total calories = 800, saturated fat = 17 grams, trans fat = 1 grams, cholesterol = 125 grams, sodium = 2170 mg, carbohydrates =83 grams. Total UHI = 532.6.

HEALTHIEST FOODS OVERALL:

The five healthiest items you can purchase at Dominos Pizza (excluding beverages, dipping sauces, and salad dressing) are as follows:

1. Garden Fresh Salad. Each half-bowl has only 70 calories, 2.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 10 mg of cholesterol, 80 mg of salt, and 5 grams of carbohydrates. Total UHI score: 27.92. Serving size = half-bowl.

2. Cinna Stix. For each stick, the total UHI is 36.44.

3. Breadsticks. For each stick, the total UHI is 36.5.

4. Cheesy Bread. For each stick, the total UHI is 46.4.

5. Grilled Chicken Sandwich. The total UHI is 67.75 for each half a bowl.

UNHEALTHIEST ITEMS BY NUTRITIONAL CATEGORY:


Highest calories: 870 (Chicken Bacon Ranch oven baked sandwich)

Highest saturated fat: 21 grams (Italian Sausage and Peppers oven baked sandwich; a bowl of the Mac-N-Cheese Pasta in a Dish)

Highest trans fat: 1.5 grams (Mac-N-Cheese Pasta in a Dish)

Highest cholesterol: 130 mg (Italian Sandwich oven baked pizza)

Highest sodium: 2700 mg (Italian Sandwich oven baked pizza)

Highest carbohydrates: 83 grams (Sweet and Spicy Chicken Habernero)

UNHEALTHIEST LEGENDS AND FEAST PIZZAS:


Keep in mind that these values are for ONE SLICE of a large pizza, so if you eat more than one slice you need to adjust the numbers accordingly. All four crusts were analyzed.

1. Fiery Hawaiin (hot sauce) Legends pizza, Brooklyn style: It contains sliced ham, smoked bacon, juicy pineapple, roasted red peppers, jalapeƱos, hot sauce, provolone cheese and mozzarella cheese. Each slice has 370 calories, 8.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 55 mg of cholesterol, 1280 mg of salt, and 31 grams of carbohydrates. Total UHI score: 290.75.

2. MeatZZa Feast Pizza, Brooklyn style: Pepperoni, ham, savory Italian sausage and beef topped with an extra layer of cheese. Total calories = 390, saturated fat = 10 grams, trans fat = 0 grams, cholesterol = 65 grams, sodium = 1240 mg, carbohydrates = 30 grams. Total UHI = 289.17.

3. ExtravaganZZa Feast Pizza, Brooklyn style: It has loads of pepperoni, ham, savory Italian sausage, beef, onions, green peppers, mushrooms and black olives with extra cheese. Total calories: = 400, saturated fat = 10 grams, trans fat = 0 grams, cholesterol = 60 grams, sodium = 1220 mg, carbohydrates = 31 grams. Total UHI = 286.83.

4. California Chicken Bacon Ranch Legends Pizza, Brooklyn style: Total calories = 490, saturated fat = 11.5 grams, trans fat = 0.5 grams, cholesterol = 75 grams, sodium = 1100 mg, carbohydrates = 28 grams. Total UHI = 284.17.
   

5. Fiery Hawaiin (hot sauce) Legends pizza, Deep dish style: Total calories = 400, saturated fat = 7 grams, trans fat = 0 grams, cholesterol = 35 grams, sodium = 1190 mg, carbohydrates = 40 grams. Total UHI = 278.67.

HEALTHIEST LEGENDS AND FEAST PIZZAS:


Keep in mind that these values are for ONE SLICE of a large pizza, so if you eat more than one slice you need to adjust the numbers accordingly. All four types of crusts were analyzed.

1. Philly Cheese Steak Legends pizza, Thin crust: It contains roasted red peppers, spinach, onions, mushrooms, tomatoes and black olives with feta and provolone cheeses. Each slice has 230 calories, 5.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 30 mg of cholesterol, 450 mg of salt, and 20 grams of carbohydrates. Total UHI score: 122.58.

2. Philly Cheese Steak Legends pizza, Thin crust: Total calories = 230, saturated fat = 6.5 grams, trans fat = 0 grams, cholesterol = 35 grams, sodium = 470 mg, carbohydrates = 18 grams. Total UHI = 126.58.

3. Memphis BBQ Chicken Legends Pizza, Thin crust: Total calories: = 250, saturated fat = 5.5 grams, trans fat = 0 grams, cholesterol = 35 grams, sodium = 470 mg, carbohydrates = 23 grams. Total UHI = 130.58.

4. Deluxe Feast Pizza, Thin crust: It contains pepperoni, savory Italian sausage, green peppers, mushrooms, onions and cheese. Total calories = 250, saturated fat = 5.5 grams, trans fat = 0 grams, cholesterol = 30 grams, sodium = 550 mg, carbohydrates = 21 grams. Total UHI = 142.75.

5. Honolulu Hawaiin Legends pizza, Thin crust: Sliced ham, bacon, pineapple and roasted red peppers with provolone cheese on a parmesan crust. Total calories = 260, saturated fat = 5.5 grams, trans fat = 0 grams, cholesterol = 35 grams, sodium = 600 mg, carbohydrates = 22 grams. Total UHI = 153.75.

UNHEALTHIEST SINGLE PIZZA TOPPINGS (calculated for an entire large pizza):


1. Anchovies: 110 calories, 0 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 45 mg of cholesterol, 3310 mg of salt, and 63 grams of carbohydrates. Total UHI score: 588.

2. Bacon: Total calories = 470, saturated fat = 13 grams, trans fat = 0 grams, cholesterol = 110 grams, sodium = 1770 mg, carbohydrates = 9 grams. Total UHI = 395.3.

3. American Cheese: Total calories: = 360, saturated fat = 19 grams, trans fat = 1 grams, cholesterol = 90 grams, sodium = 1780 mg, carbohydrates = 3 grams. Total UHI = 375.5.

4. Italian Sausage: Total calories =500, saturated fat = 16 grams, trans fat = 0 grams, cholesterol = 80 grams, sodium = 1470 mg, carbohydrates = 13 grams. Total UHI = 346.5.

5. Green Olives: Total calories = 150, saturated fat = 3 grams, trans fat = 0 grams, cholesterol = 0 grams, sodium = 1870 mg, carbohydrates = 3 grams. Total UHI = 337.67.

HEALTHIEST SINGLE PIZZA TOPPINGS (calculated for an entire large pizza):


1. Green Pepper: 15 calories, 0 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 mg of cholesterol, 0 mg of salt, and 4 grams of carbohydrates. Total UHI score: 3.16.

2. Green Chile Pepper: Total calories = 15, saturated fat = 0 grams, trans fat = 0 grams, cholesterol = 0 grams, sodium = 0 mg, carbohydrates = 4 grams. Total UHI = 5.7.

3. Spinach: Total calories: = 15, saturated fat = 0 grams, trans fat = 0 grams, cholesterol = 0 grams, sodium = 45 mg, carbohydrates = 2 grams. Total UHI = 1.7.

4. Garlic. Total calories = 50, saturated fat = 0 grams, trans fat = 0 grams, cholesterol = 0 grams, sodium = 5 mg, carbohydrates = 12 grams. Total UHI = 11.16.

5. Mushrooms: Total calories = 30, saturated fat = 0 grams, trans fat = 0 grams, cholesterol = 0 grams, sodium = 35 mg, carbohydrates = 3 grams. Total UHI = 11.3.

UNHEALTHIEST APPETIZER OR SIDE ITEM (includes bread, chicken wings, and salads):

Hot Buffalo Wings (serving size = 2 wings). Every two wings contains 200 calories, 3.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 50 mg of cholesterol, 690 mg of salt, and 2 grams of carbohydrates. Total UHI score: 157.58.

HEALTHIEST APPETIZER OR SIDE ITEM (includes bread, chicken wings, and salads):


Buffalo Chicken Kickers (serving size = 2 wings). Every two wings contains 100 calories, 1 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 20 mg of cholesterol, 280 mg of salt, and 7 grams of carbohydrates. Total UHI score: 68.

UNHEALTHIEST DIPPING CUPS:


Dominos has 8 dipping cups to choose from, one of which is a sweet icing dessert cup, which is covered in the dessert section below.

The choice of dipping cups really comes down to sodium levels. The unhealthiest dipping cups (serving size = 1 package) are:

1. Hot sauce. 150 calories, 0.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 mg of cholesterol, a whopping 1480 mg of salt, and 3 grams of carbohydrates. Total UHI: 272.25.

2. Parmesan Peppercorn. 310 calories, 5 grams of saturated fat, 0 5 grams of trans fat, 15 mg of cholesterol, 510 mg of salt, and 3 grams of carbohydrates. Total UHI: 140.58.

3. Italian. 220 calories, 3.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 mg of cholesterol, a whopping 460 mg of salt, and 1 gram of carbohydrates. Total UHI: 114.08

4. Blue cheese. 240 calories, 4.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 20 mg of cholesterol, a whopping 310 mg of salt, and 2 grams of carbohydrates. Total UHI: 96.08.

HEALTHIEST DIPPING CUPS:


The healthiest dipping cups (serving size = 1 package) are:

1. Marinara sauce. 25 calories, 0 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 mg of cholesterol, a whopping 270 mg of salt, and 5 grams of carbohydrates. Total UHI: 50.

2. Garlic. 250 calories, 5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 mg of cholesterol, 160 mg of salt, and 0 grams of carbohydrates. Total UHI: 69.17.

3. Ranch. 200 calories, 3 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 10 mg of cholesterol, 340 mg of salt, and 2 grams of carbohydrates. Total UHI: 92.5

4. Blue cheese. 240 calories, 4.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 20 mg of cholesterol, 310 mg of salt, and 2 grams of carbohydrates. Total UHI: 96.03.

SALADS:

Dominos has two salads to choose from: the Garden Fresh and the Grilled Chicken Caesar. Serving size is a half a bowl. The healthiest choice is the Garden Fresh with a UHI of 27.92. The Grilled Chicken Caeser salad had a UHI of 67.75. The difference is mostly due to higher sodium content (290 for the Grilled Chicken Caser and 80 for the Garden Fresh). Incidentally, each package of croutons has a UHI of 40.17.

SALADS DRESSINGS:

Dominos has 5 salad dressings to choose from. These are ordered from unhealthiest to healthiest as follows:

1. Light Italian. 20 calories, 0 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 mg of cholesterol, 770 mg of salt, and 3 grams of carbohydrates. Total UHI: 132.17.

2. Creamy Caeser. 210 calories, 3.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 10 mg of cholesterol, 520 mg of salt, and 0 grams of carbohydrates. Total UHI: 123.92.

3. Blue cheese. 230 calories, 4.5 grams of saturated fat, 0.5 grams of trans fat, 25 mg of cholesterol, 440 mg of salt, and 2 grams of carbohydrates. Total UHI: 117

4. Buttermilk ranch. 230 calories, 3.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 10 mg of cholesterol, 390 mg of salt, and 2 grams of carbohydrates. Total UHI: 105.92.

4. Golden Italian. 210 calories, 3.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 mg of cholesterol, 360 mg of salt, and 2 grams of carbohydrates. Total UHI: 95.92.

DESSERTS:

Dominos only has two desserts to choose from: Cina Stix or Chocolate Lava crunch cakes. If you had to choose, the healthiest choice is the Cina Stix Sticks. Each stick has a UHI of 36.44. By contrast, each chocolate lava crunch cake has a UHI of 107. The sweet icing dipping cup has a UHI of51.25 due to each cup having 250 calories, 57 carbohydrates, and 0.5 grams of saturated fat. There are no trans fats, cholesterol, or sodium in the sweet icing. Note: Soft drinks were not subject to analysis.

From the Dominos website:


The pizza products listed in this publication, when made with approved Domino’s Pizza ingredients, will provide the nutritional composition as indicated. Information may vary slightly depending on location and supplier. The availability of optional toppings may vary by store. The nutrition information is generated by the industry standard Genesis R&D Nutritional software. The ingredient listings are provided by ingredient manufacturers. Domino’s Pizza LLC, its franchisees and employees do not assume responsibility for a particular sensitivity or allergy to any food provided in our stores. This guide includes only standard menu items. For nutritional information on special menu product offers, visit www.dominos.com.

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