Is CiCi's Pizza Bad For You?
Short answer
Like any traditional pizza, CiCi’s pizza is bad for you. Cheap ingredients such as oils, white flour, salt, and MSG combine to form a food that should not be consumed on a regular basis.
Harmful to your health. Very few, if any, benefits are present. Things in this category should be avoided as much as possible.
View Full Grading System
Category 'A'
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Side effects are rare. Things rated an 'A+' are typically necessary for survival (for example, water).
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circumstances such as an allergic reaction.
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Harmful qualities may be associated, but aren't usually serious.
It is important to note that even the best things in life can become bad in immoderate amounts. So, although something may be rated an 'A+', overconsumption/overdoing can bring unwanted effects.
Category 'B'
Very beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B+' may have a few harmful qualities to pay attention to.
Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
More beneficial to your health than not. However, harmful qualities are most likely associated and shouldn't be overlooked.
The main difference between category 'A' and category 'B' is the harmful qualities typically present in 'B' items. Serious side effects are usually uncommon, but are still possible and should be taken note of.
Category 'C'
Both beneficial and harmful qualities associated. Things rated a 'C+' are typically a bit more on the beneficial side. Still, moderation is important.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
More harmful than beneficial. Side effects are common, especially when consumed/done excessively. Moderation is very important.
Category 'C' usually denotes to both good and bad qualities. When it comes to this category, it is important to keep this word in mind: moderation.
Category 'D'
Harmful to your health. Although benefits may be associated, the bad most likely outweighs the good. Moderation is very important.
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
Harmful to your health. Very few, if any, benefits are present. Things in this category should be avoided as much as possible.
Category 'D' is typically for things that are more harmful than beneficial. While consuming/doing something unhealthy once in a blue moon shouldn't hurt, we definitely recommend eliminating 'D' items as a regular part of your routine/diet.
Category 'F'
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
Category 'N'
'N' stands for neutral. Things placed into this category are generally (a) neither good nor bad for you, or (b) lack the necessary evidence to reach any conclusions.
Long answer
CiCi’s pizza is typical American-style pizza made up of a white flour crust with tomato- and cheese-based sauces with cheese, meat, and vegetable toppings. Their restaurants are outfitted with ‘family-friendly’ buffets where customers can get in line to grab unlimited slices. Cici’s is known for its low prices, which is aided by the purchase of cheap ingredients. Cici’s also has dessert pizzas available, as well as their famous cinnamon rolls, which are made of white flour, oils, and high fructose corn syrup—none of which are good for you.
CiCi’s uses high levels of oil in their pizzas. For example, partially hydrogenated oils appear in 21 menu items. Soybean oil is in the dough, sauces, and dessert items. Soybean oil is a derivative of soybeans, which are known for their high allergens and interference with hormones. Most consumer soy products contain GMOs unless otherwise noted. CiCi’s uses food coloring (specifically in the cheese and pizza sauce). Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is added to at least 10 menu items, as well as several sauces. Their cheese contains food starch, soybean oil, and aluminum. High fructose corn syrup can be found lurking, in large amounts, in the BBQ sauce and all desserts.
One slice of CiCi’s cheese pizza contains 100 calories. There are 4.5 grams of total fat, 2.5 of which are saturated fat, and 190 mg of sodium. Bear in mind that these numbers escalate are more toppings are added. Additionally, people rarely go to a buffet style restaurant to consume one slice of pizza. As for the popular cinnamon rolls, one roll has 100 calories, 1.5 grams of fat each, and 65 mg of sodium.
Occasionally, eating one slice of pizza and one small cinnamon roll is unlikely to adversely affect your health—though it is a small portion for a pizza buffet! When eaten on a regular basis (or in large amounts), CiCi’s pizza can cause weight gain, increase in blood sugar, heart disease, hypertension, and make you susceptible to other chronic diseases. Not to mention that the self-serve, buffet-style restaurant model presents the opportunity for germs to be exchanged! Many people, specifically children, do not adhere to proper buffet etiquette or use proper hygiene in general. Consume with caution!
Possible short-term side effects
- increased heart rate
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increased blood pressure
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increased release of insulin
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germ contamination
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allergens
Possible long-term side effects
- weight gain
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hypertension
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hormonal imbalances
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heart disease
Ingredients to be aware of
Healthier alternatives
- homemade pizza with fresh organic ingredients
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Thank you for your feedback!
Written by DeeAnne Oldham
Published on: 06-30-2016
Last updated: 12-10-2016
Thank you for your feedback!
Written by DeeAnne Oldham
Published on: 06-30-2016
Last updated: 12-10-2016
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