Welcome to MyFitnessPal’s “Is It Worth It?” series, which breaks down the pros and cons of store-bought versus homemade foods. The goal of this series is to provide you with the knowledge you need to make nutrition decisions that fit your lifestyle, budget, values, and health goals.
Pizza, is by far my favorite food. In fact, I served it for dinner at a wedding reception. But come pizza night, many people are faced with a crossroads: Should you make it easy with a store-bought pie, or put on an apron and make it from scratch?
For the health-conscious and budget-conscious, the decision is about more than just taste. It involves cost, environmental impact, health benefits, and investment of time and energy.
So, let’s weigh the pros and cons to answer the question: Is homemade pizza really worth it?
Health Benefits of Homemade Pizza vs. Store Pizza
- Homemade pizza: Preparing pizza at home allows you to control exactly what goes into your body. You can choose from whole wheat flour, fresh vegetables, and homemade sauces with no added sugar or preservatives. This is an opportunity to increase your intake of healthy ingredients while reducing fat, sodium and total calories.
- store bought pizza: The nutritional content of store-bought pizza varies widely. While there are healthier options, many frozen pizzas are high in sodium, preservatives, and artificial additives. Pizza from a pizzeria, while fresh, often contains more cheese and fat than pizza you make yourself. The amount of oil used to prepare pizza may also be higher than what you would use at home, increasing the calorie and fat content.
MyFitnessPal makes it easy to log foods or ingredients ahead of time. That way, you can make an informed decision on whether homemade or store-bought pizza is best for your next pizza night.
Cost Comparison of Homemade Pizza vs. Store Pizza
- Homemade pizza: When you choose to make pizza at home, the initial set of ingredients may seem expensive, but over time, these ingredients can create a variety of pizzas. Flour, yeast and staple ingredients like cheese and tomato paste are often cheap, especially when purchased in bulk.
- store bought pizza: Store-bought options range from affordable frozen varieties to more expensive gourmet or organic options. While ordering from your local pizzeria is convenient, the cost per pizza can quickly add up, especially if you’re feeding a crowd or opt for a delivery service that charges an additional fee.
To illustrate how portion sizes compare, consider making a large 14-inch pizza at home versus ordering a similar-sized pizza from a local pizzeria:
- Homemade pizza can easily feed four to six people, depending on how you slice it. Since the cost of ingredients for a basic cheese pizza is relatively low, the price per person can be as low as $2 to $3.
- On the other hand, a 14-inch pizza at a local pizzeria usually costs about $18 to $25, and the price per person (assuming the pizza serves four to six people) is about $4.50 to $6.25.
This comparison not only highlights the cost advantage, but also demonstrates how homemade pizza can be equally satisfying in terms of portion size and allow for greater savings and personalized toppings based on personal preference.
- Homemade pizza: While making pizza at home can reduce some packaging waste compared to store-bought pizza, it’s worth noting that many of the toppings, such as cheese, meat and dough, often come in their own packaging. However, you can still minimize your carbon footprint by choosing local produce and looking for ingredients with less packaging when possible.
- store bought pizza: Frozen pizza comes in cartons, often wrapped in plastic, which can lead to landfills if not recycled properly. Freshly made pizza at the store or restaurant is often packaged in cardboard boxes, presenting similar environmental concerns.
If minimizing your environmental impact is a priority, homemade pizza offers the opportunity for more eco-friendly options, as you take the time to choose ingredients with minimal packaging and support local produce suppliers. This brings us to…
Homemade Pizza vs. Store Pizza Time and Effort
- Homemade pizza: Making pizza from scratch takes time and effort. You have to source the ingredients, knead the dough and let it rise, prepare the ingredients, and then assemble and bake. If you enjoy cooking, this can be a rewarding experience. Save time by choosing pre-made pizza dough or meat. But no matter how you slice it (pun intended), homemade pizza will probably always take longer than reheating store-bought pizza or picking it up from your local pizzeria.
- store bought pizza: Convenience is king when it comes to store-bought pizza. Frozen pizza goes in the oven effortlessly, while fresh pizza is just a phone call or online order away. If time is tight or you’re not in the mood to cook, store-bought is a quick and easy option.
judgment
In the end, the choice depends on your priorities and your health goals. Is controlling nutritional content important to you? Or does a quick and easy ready-made meal fit your plan better? Whatever you choose, both paths lead to delicious results, because let’s be honest, when is pizza not worth it?
