Sometimes you don't have the time or energy to cook, or you might just be in the mood for some fast food. When it comes to fast food, most options aren't very good for you, though some options are definitely healthier than others. You need to consider both the calories and the nutrient content before you make your decision.
Wings Nutrition
Buffalo wings contain 52 calories and 5.5 g of protein for each medium-size wing. They also contain a small amount of iron and vitamin A. However, over half of the calories in buffalo wings come from fat, about a third of which is saturated fat. This can really add up, since most people eat more than one wing. Wings alone do not make a complete meal, they just provide the protein. To make them into a healthy meal, add a salad with a low-calorie dressing, or fill half of your plate with non-starchy vegetables.
Pizza Nutrition
The nutritional value of pizza really depends on the type you choose. Those loaded with meat and cheese, such as the 11 oz. Pizza Hut Personal Pan Supreme, which contains 722 calories and 34 g of fat, are less healthy. Choosing a vegetable pizza increases the nutritional value and lowers the calories and fat significantly. The 9 oz. Pizza Hut Veggie Lovers Pan Pizza contains only 486 calories and 20 g of fat. Choose a thin-crust pizza with a whole-wheat crust, extra vegetables and half the cheese for the least amount of calories and the most nutritional value.
Making Pizza Healthier
Pizza theoretically can provide you with all four food groups. However, it is still very heavy on fat, especially if you choose a pizza with meat. You can make a very healthy pizza if you make your own at home, with much less fat and calories than any pizza from a store or restaurant. Using a whole-wheat crust that is baked longer and at higher temperatures can increase the antioxidants in your pizza, making it even healthier, according to a 2007 University of Maryland study. You can buy whole-wheat pizza dough for the crust at a grocery store, or use whole-grain English muffins or pitas. Top the crust with tomato sauce, a small amount of low-fat cheese and lots of cut-up vegetables. You can add a small amount of leftover chicken or other low-fat meat if you can't live without it.
Considerations
Whether pizza or buffalo wings are healthier for you depends on how much of them you eat and what you eat them with, as well as the type of pizza. Eating a slice or two of healthy homemade vegetable pizza along with a salad is healthier than pigging out on buffalo wings with a few sticks of celery and blue cheese dip. However, just a few wings eaten along with a large salad with only a small amount of dressing is healthier than eating three slices of deep-dish meat lover's pizza.
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