The 5 Best Frozen Pizzas, According to a Nutritionist

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Okay, let’s be real: Frozen pizzas aren’t “healthy.” But everything in moderation, right? And while frozen pizzas should probably be seen as more of an indulgence than a dietary staple, there are some options that are better than others. We asked a nutritionist for her frozen pizza recommendations, as well as what you need to keep in mind when you’re passing through the frozen foods isle of your grocery store.

“I would consider frozen pizza to be more of a splurge type of food,” says Cynthia Sass, RD, contributing nutrition editor for Health. “Frozen pizzas are highly processed. Because consumers value taste above nutrition, they’re designed to be as tasty as possible.” However, Sass continues, some brands are better than others, and a quick scan of the nutrition label can help you spot red flags and pick out the healthiest options.

RELATED: 10 Frozen Vegetables to Keep on Hand—and Tasty Ways to Use Them

One of the first things to check is the portion size. “Often the portion sizes recommended would not be in line with what most people would realistically eat,” points out Sass. When you read through the nutrition information, make sure you’re looking at the numbers for the whole pizza rather than, for example, a third of the pizza—if you plan on eating all of it.

Another thing to check out is the readability of the ingredient list. “Some pizzas have a really long ingredient list,” notes Sass. This isn’t ideal; it would be better if the back of the box looked more like a recipe you could make on your own than a long string of chemical terms. When you see those hard-to-pronounce words, you’re looking at an engineered pizza (rather than one made with more whole foods), which is “definitely a red flag,” explains Sass.

Lastly, be mindful of the toppings. This probably goes without saying, but veggie pizzas are preferable over those with processed meats on top, from a nutritional standpoint. A good way to keep an eye on your toppings ratio is to whip up a homemade pizza rather than purchasing a frozen one from the supermarket. This way, you can control exactly what goes into your pizza—from the dough to the sauce to the toppings. (You can even slim it down by opting for a cheese-less pizza or by sprinkling cheese on only half the pie.)

Ahead, five pizzas that Sass recommends if you find yourself stalling in the frozen pizza section.

RELATED: 15 Easy Pizza Recipes Under 400 Calories

Caulipower Veggie Pizza

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Real Good Pizza Co. Cauliflower Crust Margherita Pizza

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Daiya’s Fire-Roasted Vegetable Pizza

best frozen pizza daiya best frozen pizza daiya  ($9; instacart.com)

RELATED: 4 Reasons to Buy More of Your Fruits and Veggies Frozen

Sweet Earth Natural Veggie Lovers Pizza

best frozen pizza sweetearth best frozen pizza sweetearth  ($10; instacart.com)

American Flatbread Vegan Harvest

best frozen pizza american flatbread best frozen pizza american flatbread  ($8; instacart.com)

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