"Italian pizza base is less fattening than you might think"
Juliette Kellow, Nutritionist
PizzaExpress has plenty on its menu to offer those wishing to eat out more healthy.
PizzaExpress has plenty on its menu for those wishing to eat out more healthily.
Believe it or not, it's a myth that all pizza bases are loaded with calories. In fact, some bases are low in fat - it's the other ingredients that they're combined with such as creamy sauces, olive oil or salami style meats that put on the calories. And as all the pizza bases in PizzaExpress are thin crust, PizzaExpress pizzas generally provide fewer calories than deep pan or stuffed crust pizzas.
Many PizzaExpress starters, pastas, salads and pizzas are also loaded with vegetables, including peppers, onions, tomatoes, aubergine, spinach and rocket. For good health, everyone should eat five fruit and veg each day - simply adding a PizzaExpress side salad to your meal counts as one portion. The more colours included on your plate, the more nutrients that meal is likely to contain.
To find out more on how to eat more heathily at PizzaExpress, select the links below.
"The Verdure pizza gives you one of your 5 a day"
Choose from our new Leggera range of dishes, including three delicious new pizzas that are low in saturated fat, and at least 30% lighter in calories than the average PizzaExpress pizza. The Verdure pizza also gives you one of your 5 a day.
Because our pizzas are hand made every time, you can reduce the calories and fats you consume by asking our pizzaiolo chefs to make your pizza:
- with less mozzarella cheese
- without ingredients that are naturally higher in fats and calories, such as pepperoni, Parma ham and sausage
To tailor your favourite salad:
- swap the salad dressing for our Light House Dressing (saving 35 calories) or for a calorie-free dressing request balsamic vinegar or a squeeze of lemon (saving 118 calories)
- swap dough sticks for 2 slices of toasted ciabatta bread (saving 151 calories)
- if it comes with croutons ask for them to be left out (saving 86 calories)
Enjoy wine with your meal but drink plenty of water too, to make your drink last longer. Or use it to top up your wine to make a spritzer. And for soft drinks, there's a wider range of low-calorie soft drinks to choose from, including 7UP FREE and Light Cranberry Drink
Instead of double cream and mascarpone - traditional Italian ingredients that are higher in calories - ask for your puddings to come without them and save up to 157 calories
Finish your meal with tea, filter coffee or an espresso rather than a higher-calorie cappuccino, latte or liqueur coffee.
"PizzaExpress dishes are made with fresh herbs, so you shouldn't need to add salt to your meal"
Italian cured meats such as pepperoni, prosciutto, salami and Parma ham are cured in salt to preserve them for longer in the traditional way. If you want to watch your salt intake choose dishes that don't contain them.
Similarly pickled vegetables, like olives and capers, are all quite high in salt as they're usually stored in brine to preserve them. So don't choose them if you're watching your salt intake.
PizzaExpress dishes are made with fresh herbs, such as basil and thyme, to give them plenty of flavour. This means you shouldn't need to add salt to your meal. If you want even more taste, ask the waiting staff to add plenty of freshly-ground black pepper.
Top pasta and pizza dishes with freshly-ground black pepper rather than salty Grana Padano cheese
"We should all eat five portions of fruit and vegetables each day"
Add a side salad to your meal. Our Mixed Leaf Salad counts as one of your five a day. Ask for the dressing to come on the side so you can choose how much to add, or swap it for the Light House Dressing or Balsamic Syrup, which is fat free.
Have a salad as a main, and adapt it to suit your needs:
- swap the salad dressing for our Light House Dressing (saving 35 cals) or for a calorie-free dressing request Balsamic Vinegar or a squeeze of lemon (saving 118 calories)
- swap dough sticks for 2 slices of toasted ciabatta bread (saving 151 calories)
- if it comes with croutons ask for them to be left out (saving 86 calories)
Go for starters, pastas and pizzas that contain plenty of vegetables. Many dishes include good amounts of peppers, onions, tomatoes, aubergine, mushrooms, spinach and rocket. The more colours you have on your plate, the more nutrients that meal is likely to contain.
"Just half a red pepper provides almost triple the amount of vitamin C we recommend for daily good health"
Department Of Health
The PizzaExpress menu is packed with nutritious, delicious ingredients. Here are just a handful...
- Tomatoes
- Tomatoes are low in calories and free from fat and saturates, making them a great choice for a healthy diet (one tomato contains just 14 calories). They're also packed with fibre, which helps to keep the digestive system healthy and balances our blood sugar levels.
- Spinach
- Packed with vitamins and minerals, spinach is also a great source of iron, needed for healthy blood and a strong immune system. It also contains calcium and magnesium, both necessary for strong, healthy bones and teeth.
- Rocket
- Like spinach, rocket contains a variety of important vitamins and minerals. It's a source of calcium, magnesium, beta-carotene and vitamin C. Plus, it's rich in folate. And if that's not enough, it's low in calories and fat, is free from saturates and is high in fibre.
- Chicken
- Protein-rich foods such as chicken help fill you up, meaning it's less likely you'll want to order a dessert. PizzaExpress use skinless chicken to reduce the fat content. It's also packed with energy-releasing B-vitamins and immunity-boosting zinc.
- Olive Oil
- Health experts recommend replacing saturated fats with monounsaturated fats, such as those found in olive oil. This ingredient is also a rich source of antioxidant vitamin E.
- Mozzarella
- Containing fewer calories and less fat and saturates than harder cheeses such as Cheddar, mozzarella also contains plenty of nutrients such as calcium for strong bones and teeth, vitamin A for healthy skin and vision, and B vitamins important for the circulatory and nervous systems.
- Red Onions
- As well as adding flavour, onion's a great choice for the health-conscious. This veg is low in calories, free of fats and saturates, and packed with fibre.
- Peppers
- Low in calories, free from fats and saturates, and rich in fibre, brightly coloured red and yellow peppers are also packed with the antioxidants, vitamin C and beta-carotene. The body uses this nutrient to make vitamin A, which is essential for soft, smooth skin.
BAFTA PRIZE DRAW
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
- The prize draw is open to all UK residents aged 18 or over except employees of any company or organisation associated with the prize draw (including without limitation PizzaExpress, Orange group companies and the British Academy of Film and Television Arts) and their families; the agents of any of the above companies or organisations, their employees and the families of their employees; or any other person associated with this prize draw.
- Only people living within the UK may vote. If you vote from outside the UK your vote will be discounted.
- All entry instructions form part of the terms and conditions, which, by taking part, all entrants will be deemed to have accepted.
- Only one vote per person and only one entry per person. No purchase necessary.
- Prize for two people includes:
- Travel to and from London (Standard class rail within mainland UK. Flights from NI only, these will be standard class tickets and booked on whichever airline chosen by M&C Saatchi). Travel expenses to be refunded on the 21st February 2010 provided valid receipts are supplied to the Promoter.
- London hotel accommodation (bed & breakfast only).
- All additional expenses to be paid by Prize Winner
(eg. bar bills, meals, telephone calls) - Dinner at Christoper's 18 Wellington Street Covent Garden London WC2E 7DD
- Access to Red Carpet grandstand at Covent Garden
- Tickets to The Orange British Academy Film Awards
- Any additional expenses, such as meals and refreshments, are not included.
- The closing date for the draw to win the VIP package is 9am on Monday 15th February 2010. To enter, you simply need to vote for a nominee to win the Orange Rising Star Award through the Orange website at www.orange.co.uk/bafta .The winner will be drawn at random from all eligible entries by an independent person on Monday 15th February 2010. All winners will be notified by Friday 19th February 2010 by telephone. Voting for the Orange Rising Star Award will close at midday on 17th February 2010.
- Orange accepts no responsibility for entries not received. Proof of sending is not proof of receipt. Incomplete and/or late entries will not be accepted.
- If any winner is unable for any reason to accept a prize or cannot be contacted by the 19th February, Orange reserves the right to award the prize to another participant whose name will be drawn at random from all other eligible entries received.
- Prizes are not transferable and no cash alternative is available.
- The decision made by M&C Saatchi/the Promoter is final. No correspondence will be entered into.
£40 Summer Pass – How does it work?
- Pick up your Summer Pass with The Sunday Times on July 19th or collect it from any PizzaExpress* restaurant from Monday July 20th (*excludes Jersey)
- To earn credits this summer, visit any PizzaExpress from July 19th to September 13th
- Each time you spend £40 or more, ask your waiter to swipe your Summer Pass
- After the 3rd swipe, we'll credit it with £40 (within 72 hours)
- Use the credit to treat yourself in any of our restaurants (until November 30th 2009)
- Click here to register your Summer Pass and automatically receive future offers and promotions, so you can get even more from PizzaExpress
- Sunday Times readers, click here to register your special pass from the paper, then, when your pass has been swiped three times, we'll top up your £40 credit by £10, giving you a total of £50 to spend in our restaurants.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I get a Summer Pass?
You can pick up a Summer Pass in any PizzaExpress restaurant, from Monday July 20th to Sunday September 13th.
My Summer Pass came with the Sunday Times: how do I get my bonus £10?
If your Summer Pass came with the Sunday Times, simply click here to register, and, when your pass has been swiped three times, we'll top up your £40 credit with a bonus £10, giving you a total of £50 to spend in our restaurants.
Do I need to register my Summer Pass online?
You don't have to register your Summer Pass online, but, if you do, we'll be able to issue you a new one if you lose it, and you'll also automatically receive future offers and promotions, so you can get even more from PizzaExpress.
Can I use my Summer Pass in conjunction with other promotional offers (e.g. 2for1 vouchers) or Tesco Restaurant Tokens?
Yes, the Summer Pass can be used at the same time as other offers or Tesco restaurant tokens. However, please note that your qualifying £40 spend will be after all other discounts have been applied to your bill.
If I visit PizzaExpress twice in one day can I get two credits?
Only one credit a day can be added to your Summer Pass.
If I visit PizzaExpress and spend £80, can I have two credits?
Only one credit a day can be added to your Summer Pass.
How can I check how many credits I have on my Summer Pass?
Click here and follow the instructions to check the number of credits on your pass. Alternatively, call the Summer Pass customer services line on 0845 605 6001, and they can help you.
How can I check if my pass has been loaded with £40 / £50?
To check how much credit has been loaded onto your pass, click here and follow the instructions. Alternatively, call the Summer Pass customer services line on 0845 605 6001, and they can help you.
How long do I have to wait for my pass to be loaded with my £40 / £50 credit?
Once your pass has been swiped three times, please allow up to 72 hours for it to be loaded with £40 (or £50, if you've registered a pass from the Sunday Times). Please check that the pass has been loaded with credit before you visit PizzaExpress to spend it!
To check how many credits you have, or to see if your pass has been loaded yet, please click here.
Do I need to use my £40 or £50 credit in one visit?
No, you can split the credit you redeem between visits: just remember to use all your credit before November 30th 2009.
Can I get a refund on my Summer Pass?
Sorry, we can't refund monies on a Summer Pass.
Can I top up my Summer Pass with additional cash?
Sorry, you can't top up monies on to your Summer Pass.
I've lost my Summer Pass but I hadn't earned any credits on it yet: what should I do?
You can pick up a new Summer Pass in any PizzaExpress restaurant until Sunday September 13th.
I had credits on my Summer Pass, but I've lost it: what can I do?
If you've registered your card online, we can send you a new one: simply call customer services on 0845 605 6001, and they'll transfer the credit and send you another pass. If you haven't registered it, customer services can still transfer the credit for you, as long as you have a PizzaExpress till receipt bearing your unique Summer Pass number.
My Summer Pass had been loaded with £40/£50, but I've lost it: what can I do?
If you have a PizzaExpress till receipt with your unique Summer Pass number printed on it, contact customer services on 0845 605 6001 and they'll transfer the credit and send you another pass.
I visited PizzaExpress recently and spent more than £40, so had my Summer Pass swiped but the credit hasn't been added to it: what should I do?
Please contact customer services on 0845 605 6001 and ask them to check your pass and issue you with another credit.
I've visited three times and had my Summer Pass swiped, but when I tried to use it to pay in PizzaExpress, no money was on it: what should I do?
If you'd made your 3rd qualifying visit less than 72 hours previously, it may be that your credit hadn't yet been loaded: if that's the case, please click here and follow the instructions to check that the monies are now on your pass. Alternatively, PizzaExpress customer services will be pleased to help you: please call them on 0845 605 6001.
Terms & Conditions
Restaurant version of pass
- Visit any PizzaExpress with your Summer Pass and spend at least £40 to qualify for one credit. (One qualifying credit per day.)
Please note that the £40 spend does not include optional gratuities left for your waiter or waitress.
Please note that your qualifying £40 spend will be after all other promotional discounts have been applied to your bill (including Tesco restaurant tokens)
- Each time you spend £40 or more with us and have your pass swiped, (20th July-13th September 2009 inclusive) you'll earn a credit: once you've earned three, we'll load your pass with £40 credit within 72 hours.
- You can use your £40 credit in any PizzaExpress restaurant, up to and including 30th November 2009 (any remaining credit will be cancelled on this date).
- Register your Summer Pass number online, and, even if you lose it, you won't lose your credits.
- Monies on your pass cannot be exchanged for cash, topped up, refunded or transferred onto a PizzaExpress gift card.
- To check the balance on your pass, or for other enquiries, please call 0845 605 6001. (Calls charged at local rate.)
- This offer excludes PizzaExpress Jersey, Gibraltar and Milano restaurants.
- This offer can be used in conjunction with other PizzaExpress promotions and is also valid on takeaway sales.
- The Summer Pass has a resale value of 0p
- The manager on duty will use their discretion where appropriate and their decision will be final.
Promoter Head Office: PizzaExpress, Hunton House, Highbridge Estate, Oxford Road, Uxbridge, UB8 1LX.
Sunday Times version of pass
- Register your Summer Pass at www.pizzaexpress-summerpass.com.
- Visit any PizzaExpress with your Summer Pass and spend at least £40 to receive one credit. (One qualifying credit per day.)
Please note that the £40 spend does not include optional gratuities left for your waiter or waitress.
Please note that your qualifying £40 spend will be after all other promotional discounts have been applied to your bill (including Tesco restaurant tokens)
- Once you've earned 3 credits (19th July-13th September 2009 inclusive) we'll load your registered pass with £50 within 72 hours (including your £10 bonus as a Sunday Times reader).
- You can use your £50 credit in any PizzaExpress restaurant, up to and including 30th November 2009 (any remaining credit will be cancelled on this date).
- Monies on this pass cannot be exchanged for cash, topped up, refunded or transferred onto a PizzaExpress gift card.
- To check the balance on this pass, or for other enquiries, please call 0845 605 6001. (Calls charged at local rate.)
- This offer excludes PizzaExpress Jersey, Gibraltar and Milano restaurants.
- This offer can be used in conjunction with other PizzaExpress promotions and is also valid on takeaway sales and gift card purchases.
- The Summer Pass has a resale value of 0p.
- The manager on duty will use their discretion where appropriate and their decision will be final
Promoter Head Office: PizzaExpress, Hunton House, Highbridge Estate, Oxford Road, Uxbridge, UB8 1LX.
