Marco’s Pizza is a restaurant chain that specializes in Italian-American food.
Think: pizza slices, cheesy bread, calzones, substhe absolute Italian works.
You walk into Marco’s and you basically have to add a vowel to the end of your name.
Nolichuckyjake / Shutterstock
It’s that Italiano!
That could be why the pizza, calzones, and even the salads at Marco’s are so delicious.
But delicious or not, which dishes on the Marco’s Pizza menu are actually healthy?
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Or just, healthier than some of the others?
“They offer pizzas, subs, salads, side dishes, and desserts.
looks like there is something for everyone regardless of calorie and nutrient preferences.”
Saif A./Yelp
Mushrooms are low in calories, fat, and free of cholesterol, making them a healthy pizza topping.
“The amount of saturated fat is reasonable and the sodium is lower than many other pizza slices.
Especially if you’revegetarianor eatmainly plant-based, the mushroom slice is a healthy option.
Marie B./Yelp
“This gets put on the ‘best’ list because it wins in terms of its comparison.
“The calories are 490 which is about adequate for a meal.
(Not to mention high in sodium, too!
![marcos pizza italiano-] sub](https://www.eatthis.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2019/12/marcos-pizza-italiano-sub.jpg)
Courtesy of Marco’s Pizza
That’s the bulk of your daily caloric intake, just in one sitting.
So, just how bad is the All Meat slice?
“The All Meat Pizza is loaded with cheese and meats high in saturated fat,” Richards says.
Marco’s Pizza/ Facebook
“This calorie-dense pizza offers little in variety of nutrients and is packed with inflammatory ingredients.”
“This sandwich has half the sodium and less saturated fat than the Italiano sub,” Morris says.
Richards also points out that the Chicken Club is a good alternative, too.
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“The Chicken Club is [a] better option in regards to its nutrition,” Richards says.
“They use grilled chicken, reducing the amount of fat and calories as with fried chicken.”
For that, we give the Chicken Club at Marco’s Pizza the Honorable Mention!
Courtesy of Marco’s Pizza
Literally6-inch, 9-inch, or footlong, it’s the worst of the options.
“The biggest enemy on the Italiano sub is the 1,950 milligrams of sodium,” says Morris.
The easy way to make healthier comfort foods.
Marco’s Pizza/Facebook
Calzones
Best: Pepperoni Calzone
Love a good, hearty calzone?
And even still, it’s the “best” calzone option on the Marco’s Pizza menu.
This one is a doozy.
Marco’s Pizza/Facebook
This is one of those ‘treats’ menu items,” says Iannone.
If you have any issues with retaining water such as congestive heart failure, kidney disease, etc.
I would stay clear of this item.”
Marco’s Pizza/Yelp
“This is a great option for those watching their waistline,” says Iannone.
“The nutrition facts are pretty sound compared to the other salads on the menu.
The sodium is a bit high in this item, but can be easily reduced.
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Often sodium contents tend to be higher in salads due to the dressing.
An easy way to save on some added sodium is by only adding in half of the dressing.”
Not to mention the fattydressing!
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Just venture to limit the dipping sauces, those calories can creep up on you very easily.”
“A side that has 880 calories is quite a lot,” says Morris.
“It also has all of your saturated fat for the day and 68 percent-plus of your daily sodium.
Marco’s Pizza/Facebook
If you must have the meatball bake, split this side with friends.”
“The pizza sauce cup is low in calories and has no saturated fat.
“Choose this to keep your calories, saturated fat, and sodium levels in check.”
Marco’s Pizza/Facebook
Worst: Hot Sauce Cup
Wowthe Hot Sauce Cup almost had us fooled!
With every other nutritional value at 0, it could trick you into thinking it’s the best option.
Nope, not awesome.
The recommended sodium intake for the average person is 2,300 milligrams per day.
That number drops down to 1,500 if you are at risk for high blood pressure.
Desserts
Best: CinnaSquares
Moving onto dessert!
“If you must have dessert, the CinnaSquares are the better choice,” Morris says.
“The calories, saturated fat, sodium, and sugar are all within reasonable amounts.
But if you aren’t feeling dessert, skip it.
The calories, saturated fat, and sodium from your meal here is plenty.”
At least when it comes to calories, sodium, and of course, sugar.
Morris says, “Imagine pouring 8 teaspoons of sugar into your mouth.
That’s what you get from the 33 grams of sugar from the double chocolate brownie.
