Little Caesars is known for their signature Crazy Bread – soft breadsticks coated in butter and seasonings. While Crazy Bread may taste delicious, there are concerns over how healthy these breadsticks actually are. With high amounts of calories, fat, and sodium, Crazy Bread can be considered more of an indulgent treat rather than a nutritious snack. This article analyzes the nutritional content of Little Caesars Crazy Bread to determine if it can be part of a balanced diet.
Nutrition Facts for Little Caesars Crazy Bread
According to Little Caesars nutrition information, a standard order of Crazy Bread contains the following (1):
Serving Size
– 5 breadsticks (85g)
Calories
– 240 calories
Fat
– 11g total fat (5g saturated fat)
Carbohydrates
– 30g total carbs (1g fiber, 4g sugar)
Protein
– 6g protein
Sodium
– 730mg sodium
Based on a 2000 calorie diet, one serving of Crazy Bread contributes to (1):
– 12% of daily calories
– 17% of daily fat
– 10% of daily carbohydrates
– 12% of daily sodium
Overall, one order of Crazy Bread supplies a significant amount of calories, fat, and sodium.
Evaluating the Calories in Crazy Bread
At 240 calories per serving, Little Caesars Crazy Bread is considered a high calorie food. The calories come mainly from refined carbohydrates and fat.
To put this into perspective, here are the calories of other common foods (2):
240 calories is equivalent to:
– 1 slice of pepperoni pizza (242 calories)
– 1 cup of vanilla ice cream (245 calories)
– 2 slices of pepperjack cheese (240 calories)
– 5 oreo cookies (252 calories)
While 240 calories for 5 breadsticks may not seem too high, it adds up quickly if you eat multiple servings. Consuming high calorie foods on a regular basis can contribute to weight gain over time.
Experts recommend a balanced diet contain around 2000 calories per day. One order of Crazy Bread already contributes 12% of total calories for the day.
This doesn’t leave much room for other foods without exceeding daily calorie needs. People looking to lose weight should be especially mindful of portion sizes.
Fat Content of Crazy Bread
In addition to being high in calories, Crazy Bread is very high in fat.
A single serving contains 11g of total fat, including 5g of saturated fat. This represents 17% of the recommended daily value for total fat (3).
Saturated fat is considered the least healthy type of fat. High intakes are associated with increased cholesterol levels and heart disease risk (4).
The American Heart Association recommends limiting saturated fat to no more than 5-6% of total calories (5). This equals about 13g on a 2000 calorie diet.
Just one order of Crazy Bread supplies nearly half of the daily recommendation for saturated fat. The high amount comes from being fried in butter and oils.
Consuming Crazy Bread and other high fat foods regularly can cause fat to accumulate in the body over time. This contributes to weight gain and obesity.
Carbohydrates in Crazy Bread
Crazy Bread gets most of its calories from refined carbohydrates.
Each serving contains 30g of total carbohydrates, including 4g of sugar (1).
Refined grains like white flour have had the nutritious bran and germ removed during processing. This leaves mainly starch, which causes a rapid spike in blood sugar (6).
Research shows diets high in refined carbs can increase risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and obesity compared to unprocessed carbohydrates (7).
The fiber content of Crazy Bread is also low, with just 1g per serving. Dietary fiber helps slow digestion, keeping you fuller for longer after a meal (8).
Overall, the refined grains and low fiber content of Crazy Bread can contribute to blood sugar fluctuations and overeating.
Protein in Crazy Bread
Crazy Bread does provide a small amount of protein, with 6g per serving.
Protein is beneficial for building muscle, hair, skin and important enzymes in the body. However, most Americans already consume adequate amounts from their diet (9).
Higher protein foods like lean meats, low fat dairy, eggs or beans would be more nutrient-dense choices than Crazy Bread.
Sodium Content of Crazy Bread
Sodium is one of the biggest concerns with Crazy Bread’s nutritional value.
Each serving contains a very high 730mg of sodium. That’s nearly half of the daily recommended limit of 1500mg per day (10).
Eating high sodium foods regularly is associated with high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke. Most Americans already consume too much sodium, with over 90% eating more than the recommended amount (11).
The high sodium in Crazy Bread comes from added table salt and seasoning blends containing garlic salt and Romano cheese.
Consuming Crazy Bread along with other salty foods like pizza and processed meats can easily cause you to go over the recommended daily sodium intake.
Nutrients in Crazy Bread
When looking at the nutritional value of any food, it’s important to evaluate the complete nutrient profile.
Below are the Daily Value percentages for key vitamins and minerals in a serving of Crazy Bread (1):
Vitamin A: 6% DV
Vitamin C: 0% DV
Calcium: 4% DV
Iron: 8% DV
Crazy Bread is lacking in most vitamins and minerals. The only nutrient it provides higher amounts of is iron, at 8% DV.
Iron is beneficial for oxygen transport in the blood and energy production (12). However, nutrients like iron are more efficiently absorbed from meat and plant-based foods rather than processed grains (13).
Overall, Crazy Bread is very low in essential vitamins and minerals your body needs. It is more of an empty calorie food.
Healthier Bread Options
Rather than indulging in Crazy Bread, there are many healthier bread options to choose from.
Here are some better alternatives:
100% whole wheat bread
Choose whole grain over refined varieties whenever possible. Whole wheat bread contains fiber, vitamins and minerals that support health.
Sprouted grain breads
Sprouting breaks down antinutrients like phytic acid in grains to improve nutrient absorption. Look for varieties made with sprouted whole grains.
Gluten-free bread
For a lighter option, try gluten-free breads made with almond or coconut flour and tapioca starch.
Low-carb bread
Breads made with almond flour, flax meal and whey protein are lower in carbs while still tasty.
Homemade bread
Make your own bread so you can control the ingredients. Add nuts, seeds or oats for a nutrition boost.
Opting for minimally processed breads ensures you get fiber, protein and other beneficial nutrients. Portion control is still key for weight management.
Healthier Alternatives to Crazy Bread
Aside from swapping breads, you can replace Crazy Bread all together with healthier appetizers and snacks.
Here are some ideas:
Fresh vegetables with hummus
Pair carrots, celery, peppers or cucumbers with protein-rich hummus for dipping.
Guacamole and salsa
Whip up homemade guacamole or salsa for nutritious plant-based dips. Enjoy with veggie sticks or corn chips.
Air popped popcorn
Pop your own kernels and sprinkle with nutritional yeast for a low calorie, high fiber snack.
Cottage cheese
Top whole grain crackers with cottage cheese and tomato for a protein and calcium-rich snack.
Hard boiled eggs
Boiled eggs provide protein, vitamins and healthy fats to keep you full.
Unsalted nuts
A small handful of almonds, walnuts or pecans makes for a satisfying crunch snack.
Greek yogurt
Choose plain, unsweetened Greek yogurt topped with fresh fruit and a drizzle of honey.
Edamame
Steamed soybeans are loaded with plant-based protein, fiber and nutrients.
Is It Healthy to Eat Crazy Bread Every Day?
Based on its poor nutritional profile, regularly eating Crazy Bread would not be considered healthy.
Here are some downsides to consuming Crazy Bread daily:
– Weight gain – The high calories, fat, and refined carbs can lead to excess weight over time.
– Increased heart disease risk – Regularly eating Crazy Bread can raise LDL cholesterol levels and blood pressure from all the sodium, saturated fat, and refined grains.
– Blood sugar spikes – The refined flour causes rapid spikes and crashes in blood sugar, which can increase diabetes risk.
– Lack of nutrients – With minimal fiber, vitamins and minerals, Crazy Bread supplies empty calories and displaces healthier foods from the diet.
– Food additive exposure – To prolong shelf life, Crazy Bread contains additives like soybean oil, corn syrup solids, dough conditioners and preservatives.
For optimal health, processed convenience foods like Crazy Bread should be limited in the diet. Having it occasionally as a treat is fine, but more than 2-3 times per week may lead to negative effects.
Focus on getting calories from unprocessed, nutrient-dense whole foods like fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, beans, nuts and seeds. Read labels and avoid products with artificial ingredients.
Limit Portion Size for Occasional Indulgence
Crazy Bread can still be incorporated into the diet in moderation. If you want to occasionally indulge, here are some tips:
– Stick to one serving of 5 pieces. This limits calories, fat and sodium.
– Avoid daily intake. Have it as a once a week treat at most for special occasions.
– Balance with healthier foods. Fill half your plate with non-starchy veggies and emphasize lean protein and whole grains.
– Drink water. Pair Crazy Bread with water instead of soda to limit sugar and calories.
– Watch condiments. Opt for mustard instead of creamy dipping sauces to keep calories down.
– Avoid other indulgences the same day. Skip higher calorie snacks and desserts to offset the splurge meal.
– Account for the calories. Reduce other meal portions slightly to keep your daily calorie target on track.
With smart portion control and balancing your diet, enjoying the occasional Crazy Bread can be part of a healthy lifestyle. Just don’t make it an everyday habit.
Conclusion
Little Caesars Crazy Bread is a highly processed food high in calories, fat, refined carbs and sodium. Regularly consuming Crazy Bread may contribute to obesity, heart disease, diabetes and other chronic illnesses.
While Crazy Bread is not the most nutritious choice, enjoying it occasionally in moderation can be acceptable as part of an overall healthy diet. Be mindful of portion sizes, limit frequency to once a week, and balance out with whole foods at other meals. Making healthier homemade bread or swapping with lower calorie snacks are other great alternatives.
At the end of the day, Crazy Bread is a treat that should be consumed in limited amounts rather than daily for optimal health. But when craving that garlicky, peppery flavor only Crazy Bread can satisfy, a small serving can be part of a balanced lifestyle.
