Mellow Mushroom Pizza: Healthy Or Not?

is mellow mushroom pizza healthy

Mellow Mushroom is a restaurant known for its fresh, high-quality ingredients and catering to various dietary restrictions, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diets. While pizza is typically considered indulgent due to its high-fat and high-sodium content, Mellow Mushroom offers customizable options and a variety of other menu items to support a balanced diet. This introduction will explore the options available at Mellow Mushroom for those seeking healthier alternatives while enjoying their favourite pizza joint.

Characteristics Values
Fresh ingredients Yes
High-quality ingredients Yes
Vegetarian options Yes
Vegan options Yes
Gluten-free options Yes
Allergen-free options Yes
Calorie count High for calzones, pizzas, and hoagies
Sodium count High for calzones, pizzas, and hoagies
Healthy options Small-size salads, Veg Out pizza on gluten-free crust, Pacific Rim pizza, house salad with naked wings

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Mellow Mushroom's pizza is high in sodium

While Mellow Mushroom is known for its fresh, high-quality ingredients, its pizzas are high in sodium. In fact, Barbie Cervoni, MS, RD, CDCES, CDN, warns that "the calzones, pizza, and hoagies are high in calories and sodium". As such, it is recommended that if you do choose to indulge in one of these items, you should balance your other meals that day to be lower in both calories and sodium.

This doesn't mean that you can't enjoy Mellow Mushroom's pizza at all, but rather that you should practice moderation. For instance, you could plan to have pizza for lunch and a lower-fat, veggie-packed meal for dinner. Alternatively, you could opt for one of Mellow Mushroom's healthier options, such as their "Lil'" (small-size) salads, which are gluten-free and made with all-natural ingredients.

If you're set on pizza, the Veg Out pizza on gluten-free crust is one of the most nutritious options. You could also try the Pacific Rim pizza, which has only 11g of fat per slice, and pair it with a house salad to reduce the fat content even further.

While Mellow Mushroom's pizzas may be high in sodium, the restaurant does cater to a variety of dietary restrictions and preferences, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diets. In addition, they offer an online nutrition calculator that allows you to find the nutrition facts for any menu item, even customized versions. So, while their pizzas may not be the healthiest option, with a little planning and customization, you can still enjoy their unique flavours while adhering to your dietary needs and preferences.

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The healthiest option is the Veg Out pizza on gluten-free crust

Mellow Mushroom is known for its fresh, high-quality ingredients and catering to vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diets. While pizza is typically high in fat and sodium, Mellow Mushroom offers a range of customisation options to make healthier choices.

The Veg Out pizza on gluten-free crust is the healthiest option. This pizza is suitable for those on a low-FODMAP diet, which eliminates certain fruits and vegetables, legumes, most dairy products, and some grains. The gluten-free crust option is a healthier choice, especially for those with gluten intolerance or coeliac disease.

The Veg Out pizza is loaded with vegetables, making it a heart-healthy option. It contains no more than 30% calories from fat, making it a better choice compared to other pizza options. Additionally, the gluten-free crust may have a lower calorie count, contributing to a healthier meal.

While the Veg Out pizza on gluten-free crust is the healthiest pizza option, it is important to consider portion sizes. Opting for a small-size pizza can help control calorie intake. Additionally, pairing the pizza with a side salad can add nutritional value and help balance the meal.

Overall, while pizza may not be the healthiest option, Mellow Mushroom's Veg Out pizza on gluten-free crust is a nutritious choice relative to other pizzas. It caters to specific dietary needs, is low in FODMAPs, and is packed with vegetables, making it a more balanced option.

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Salads are a healthier option, but dressings are high in calories

While Mellow Mushroom is known for its fresh, high-quality ingredients, its pizzas, calzones, and hoagies are high in calories and sodium. If you're looking for a healthier option, their salads are a better choice. The "Lil'" (small-size) salads, including the house, Greek chef's, and spinach options, are the healthiest. These contain between 190 and 340 calories per serving.

That being said, it's important to note that the salad dressings at Mellow Mushroom can be high in calories as well. All of their dressings are gluten-free, made with 100% natural ingredients, and free from hydrogenated oils and artificial flavour enhancers. However, even these natural ingredients can contribute to a high-calorie count. Therefore, if you're watching your calorie intake, it's best to be mindful of the type and amount of dressing you use.

To make your meal even healthier, you can customise your salad by adding extra vegetables or choosing a gluten-free base. Mellow Mushroom caters to various dietary needs, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diets. They also offer a house salad with naked wings, which is a nutritious, low-FODMAP option. FODMAPs are short-chain carbohydrates and sugar alcohols that can cause digestive issues for some people.

If you're specifically looking to reduce your sodium intake, be mindful that Mellow Mushroom's pizzas are generally high in sodium. In this case, it's best to balance your pizza meal with lower-sodium meals throughout the day. You could also opt for their Pacific Rim pizza, which has only 11g of fat per slice, and pair it with a salad to make it a more balanced choice.

While Mellow Mushroom's pizzas may be indulgent, you can still enjoy them as part of a balanced diet. The key is moderation and customisation. By choosing lower-calorie options for other meals and adding extra vegetables, you can enjoy your pizza while maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

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Munchies (appetizers) are high in calories and fat

While Mellow Mushroom is known for its fresh, high-quality ingredients, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options, some of its menu items are high in calories and fat. In particular, their Munchies or appetizers fall into this category.

Mellow Mushroom's pizzas, calzones, and hoagies are also high in calories and sodium. If you choose to indulge in these items, it is recommended to balance your other meals that day to be lower in calories and sodium. For instance, you could opt for a lower-fat, veggie-packed meal to compensate for the higher-calorie appetizer.

The salads at Mellow Mushroom are a healthier option, with the small-size or "Lil'" salads being the healthiest choice. These salads are not only low in calories but also free of gluten, flavor enhancers, and hydrogenated oils, and they are made with 100% all-natural ingredients. The regular-size salads contain between 190 and 340 calories per serving, which is still relatively moderate compared to the Munchies.

If you're looking for a more nutritious pizza option, consider the Veg Out pizza on gluten-free crust or the Pacific Rim pizza, which has only 11g of fat per slice. The latter, when modified, can even be made with no fat. So, while Mellow Mushroom's Munchies may be high in calories and fat, there are healthier alternatives on the menu that can accommodate various dietary needs and preferences.

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Customise a meal to suit your dietary requirements

Mellow Mushroom is a restaurant known for its fresh, high-quality ingredients and catering to various dietary needs, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diets. While pizza is typically considered a high-fat and high-sodium food, Mellow Mushroom allows customers to customise their meals to suit their specific dietary requirements.

If you're aiming for a healthier option, consider choosing a salad as your main course. The "Lil'" (small-size) salads, such as the house, Greek, or spinach options, are the healthiest choices on the menu. These salads are not only low in calories but also free of gluten, flavour enhancers, and hydrogenated oils. If you prefer a larger portion, the regular-sized salads contain a modest amount of calories, ranging from 190 to 340 calories per serving.

For those with a gluten intolerance or coeliac disease, Mellow Mushroom offers gluten-free crust for their pizzas. The Veg Out pizza on a gluten-free base is recommended for those following a low-FODMAP diet, which eliminates certain fruits, vegetables, legumes, dairy products, and grains. Additionally, the Pacific Rim pizza, when modified, can be made with no fat and paired with a house salad for a nutritious, low-fat choice.

If you're specifically watching your sodium intake, be mindful that Mellow Mushroom's pizzas are generally high in sodium. However, by customising your pizza toppings and choosing lower-sodium sides, you can still enjoy their pizza while adhering to a low-sodium diet.

Lastly, if you're craving pizza but want to maintain a balanced diet, consider having pizza for lunch and a lower-fat, vegetable-based meal for dinner. This way, you can indulge in the pizza you love while ensuring your overall daily nutrition remains varied and nutritious.

Frequently asked questions

Pizza is generally considered to be a high-fat, high-sodium food, and Mellow Mushroom's pizzas are no exception. However, Mellow Mushroom is known for using fresh, high-quality ingredients and catering to consumers with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diets. They also offer salads and other veggie-packed options that are healthier alternatives to their pizzas.

The healthiest options at Mellow Mushroom are the small-size ("Lil'") salads, such as the house, Greek, chef's, and spinach salads. These contain between 190 and 340 calories per serving. The Veg Out pizza on gluten-free crust is also a nutritious option. If you're looking for a low-FODMAP meal, you can try the house salad with naked wings.

Mellow Mushroom allows customers to customize their meals. You can use their online nutrition calculator to find the nutrition facts for any menu item, even customized versions. You can also plan your meals so that you have a lower-fat, veggie-packed meal after eating pizza.

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