Quick Answer
Two original breadsticks from Pizza Hut contain approximately 230 calories. This is based on the nutrition information provided on the Pizza Hut website. A single original breadstick contains around 115 calories.
Calories in Pizza Hut Breadsticks
Pizza Hut offers a variety of breadsticks on their menu. The calorie count can vary depending on the type and serving size. Here is an overview of the calorie count for Pizza Hut’s breadstick offerings:
| Breadstick Type | Calories per Serving |
|---|---|
| Original Breadsticks | 115 calories per breadstick |
| Cheese Stuffed Breadsticks | 190 calories per breadstick |
| Honey Butter Breadsticks | 160 calories per breadstick |
| Garlic Breadsticks | 140 calories per breadstick |
As you can see, the original breadsticks have the lowest calorie count per breadstick at Pizza Hut. The cheese stuffed breadsticks contain the highest number of calories.
Nutrition Facts for Original Pizza Hut Breadsticks
Here are the detailed nutrition facts for Pizza Hut’s original breadsticks according to the company’s website:
| Nutrition Facts | Per breadstick |
|---|---|
| Calories | 115 |
| Fat | 2g |
| Saturated Fat | 0.5g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 0mg |
| Sodium | 290mg |
| Carbohydrates | 21g |
| Fiber | 1g |
| Sugar | 2g |
| Protein | 3g |
As you can see, a single original breadstick from Pizza Hut contains 115 calories, 21g of carbohydrates, 2g of sugar, and 3g of protein. It also contains 290mg of sodium, which is 12% of the daily recommended value.
Calculating Calories for 2 Breadsticks
To calculate the calories for 2 original breadsticks from Pizza Hut, we simply need to multiply the calories per breadstick by 2:
* Calories per breadstick: 115
* Breadsticks we want to calculate: 2
* Calculation: 115 x 2 = 230
Therefore, the total calories in 2 original breadsticks from Pizza Hut is approximately 230 calories.
This quick calculation allows you to determine the calories if you are purchasing or eating a serving of 2 breadsticks. You can also modify the calculation to determine the calories for other serving sizes.
For example, here are some other common serving size calculations:
* 4 breadsticks: 115 x 4 = 460 calories
* 6 breadsticks: 115 x 6 = 690 calories
* 8 breadsticks: 115 x 8 = 920 calories
So in summary, if you are eating 2 original breadsticks from Pizza Hut, you will be consuming about 230 total calories for that serving.
Daily Calorie Needs
When determining if 230 calories for 2 breadsticks fits into your daily calorie needs, it helps to look at the recommended daily calorie intake levels.
According to the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the recommended daily calorie intake levels are:
| Gender | Age | Sedentary | Moderately Active | Active |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women | 19-25 | 1,800-2,400 | 2,000-2,200 | 2,400 |
| Men | 19-25 | 2,400-3,000 | 2,600-2,800 | 3,000 |
As you can see based on these recommendations, 230 calories would account for about 10-13% of the daily calorie needs for an average sedentary 19-25 year old. For an active individual, it would account for about 8-10% of the daily calories.
So 2 breadsticks can fit into a balanced diet, even for people with lower calorie goals like 1,200-1,600 calories per day. The breadsticks would use about 15-20% of the calories for the day.
Comparing Pizza Hut Breadstick Calories to Other Appetizers
Pizza Hut’s breadsticks have a relatively low calorie count compared to some other appetizer options. Here is how they compare calorie-wise to some other popular chain restaurant appetizers:
| Appetizer | Calories |
|---|---|
| Pizza Hut Original Breadsticks (2 breadsticks) | 230 |
| Chili’s Boneless Buffalo Wings (6 pieces) | 770 |
| Applebee’s Mozzarella Sticks (6 pieces) | 890 |
| Olive Garden Fried Mozzarella (5 pieces) | 820 |
| Outback Aussie Cheese Fries | 1,900 |
As you can see, most other appetizers range from 500-900 calories for a typical serving size. The Pizza Hut breadsticks are on the lower end at just 230 calories for 2 sticks.
So if you are looking for a lower calorie appetizer option, the original breadsticks from Pizza Hut are a good choice compared to fried or cheese-laden appetizers.
Tips for Making Pizza Hut Breadsticks Part of a Balanced Diet
Here are some tips to enjoy Pizza Hut breadsticks as part of a balanced diet:
- Order a smaller serving size. The full order provides 5 breadsticks which would equal about 575 calories. Ordering just 1-2 breadsticks cuts the calories in half or more.
- Pair with a salad. Choose a side salad instead of fries or chips to add nutrients and balance out the carbs and calories.
- Avoid extras like dipping sauces. The marinara or cheese dipping sauces add 50-150 calories per serving.
- Watch your other meals that day. If having breadsticks as an appetizer, choose lighter options for your entree and sides to keep your daily calories in check.
- Split as a table. Order one appetizer of breadsticks for the table to share. This controls portions and calories.
- Bring leftovers home. Taking home any leftover breadsticks avoids overeating in one sitting.
Being mindful of portions, additions, and the rest of your meals can help keep Pizza Hut breadsticks as part of a healthy overall eating pattern.
Should You Be Concerned About Carbs or Sodium?
When looking at the nutrition information for Pizza Hut breadsticks, two numbers that stand out are the amount of carbs (21g per breadstick) and sodium (290mg per breadstick). Here is a closer look at whether these numbers are concerning:
Carbs
At 21g of carbs per breadstick, the original Pizza Hut breadsticks are moderately high in carbohydrates. However, they are not an alarmingly high source of carbs.
Some key considerations about the carbs:
- The breadsticks are low in sugar (only 2g per breadstick). The carbs come mostly from starch in the bread.
- The 21g provides about 7% of the daily value for carbs based on a 2,000 calorie diet. This is not contributing a large portion of carbs for the day.
- When pairing the breadsticks with protein foods like grilled chicken or meatballs, it helps balance out the carb load.
- People on low carb diets below 50g per day should likely limit portion size of the breadsticks or avoid them. People on more moderate carb diets can more easily fit them in.
In moderation and as part of balanced nutrition, the 21g of carbs in Pizza Hut’s original breadsticks should not be too concerning for most people. Pay attention to overall carb intake for the day.
Sodium
The 290mg of sodium per breadstick is considered high for an individual food item. However, it is not extremely high compared to many restaurant foods.
Key considerations about the sodium levels:
- The 290mg is 12% of the daily recommended value based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Eating 2 breadsticks provides about 25% of sodium for the day.
- On a 2,300mg sodium restriction diet, 2 breadsticks would provide about 25% of the allowance. One full order would provide 50%, so moderation is needed.
- Restaurant foods and especially Italian food tends be higher in sodium. Customers expect a salty taste. But sodium can add up quickly eating out.
- Consuming these breadsticks occasionally on their own isn’t too concerning sodium-wise, but take care with high sodium entrees, sides, and additions like salty dipping sauces.
Overall, the sodium content is high but not ridiculously so compared to many other restaurant foods. Pay attention to your total sodium intake for the day and size your order wisely.
Healthier Alternatives for Lower Carb and Sodium
If you are looking for lower carb and sodium options, here are some suggestions:
Lower Carb Options
- Wings – 3 buffalo wings have around 5g carbs
- Chicken skewers – around 5g carbs for 4 oz
- Meatballs – around 2-3g carbs per meatball
- Salad topped with grilled chicken or shrimp
- Vegetable crudités with Greek yogurt ranch dip
Lower Sodium Options
- Fresh mozzarella cheese sticks – aim for low-sodium marinara on the side
- Hummus and fresh vegetables
- Bruschetta on toasted bread or crostini
- Caprese salad with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil
- Fruit platter with berries, melon, grapes and citrus sections
Focusing on fresh, whole foods that are grilled, roasted or sautéed without heavy sauces or seasonings can help lower both carbs and sodium. But an occasional order of breadsticks can be worked into most diets.
Conclusion
So in summary, 2 original breadsticks from Pizza Hut contain about 230 calories and make a tasty appetizer option that is lower in calories compared to many fried appetizers. They are moderately high in carbs and sodium, but these numbers are not too concerning in moderation as part of an overall healthy diet. Enjoy the breadsticks occasionally and in reasonable portion sizes. Pair them with lighter entrees and sides, and avoid extras like dipping sauces to keep calories, carbs, and sodium in check. With some mindfulness of your total daily nutrition numbers, Pizza Hut’s breadsticks can absolutely be part of a balanced diet.
