Domino's Deceived Us - Pasta BreadBowls ARE as Bad as You Think

by Kristen Seymour (Subscribe to Kristen Seymour's posts)
May 11th 2009 4:00PM

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about Domino's new Pasta BreadBowls -- the concept sounded so high calorie and unhealthy that I had to check it out. And I did -- I got the official nutrition information and everything. I contacted Domino's public relations department multiple times and each time was guaranteed that each Pasta BreadBowl, including the pasta and the bowl of bread it comes in, was between 670 and 740 calories total. Since each Pasta BreadBowl is considered two servings, that meant each serving was around a mere 350 calories, which seemed too good to be true.

Turns out, it was.

After further prodding, we were provided additional nutritional information that completely contradicted not only what the other chart said, but what I was told by Domino's PR. As many of you accurately suspected, that calorie range is for just one serving, meaning that, if you eat the entire thing, you've consumed between 1340 and 1480 calories and around 30 grams of fat in one sitting.

I apologize for providing the wrong information initially, but folks, I am mad as heck. Domino's flat-out lied to me, and therefore, to you. And you know what? I don't care if that particular dish (or any other dish they might offer) is easy on the wallet and super tasty -- I don't frequent businesses I can't trust, and Domino's has proven that they are not trustworthy.

Let me know in the comments -- are you done with Domino's? Or are you just glad you can now make a (correctly) informed decision?

Outrageous Fast Food

Domino's BreadBowl Pasta, 3-Cheese Mac-N-Cheese, whole dish

Calories: 1460
Fat: 56 g
Sodium: 2840 mg

You know it's mac and cheese and you know it's surrounded in calorie-loaded carbs, but did you know this deceptive dish counts as two servings? And that's probably why this order puts you near your daily fat allowance and way past the recommended daily salt intake. If you have the willpower -- eat one serving, or half the bowl!
*Note: The nutrition information isn't available on Domino's Web site. AOL Health requested the information from Domino's directly.

Rachel Been, AOL

Domino's BreadBowl Pasta, Chicken Alfredo, whole dish

Calories: 1400
Fat: 50 g
Sodium: 2140 mg

If you're craving chicken alfredo, and you happen to be at Domino's, consider ordering their bread-less version. In comparison it contains a lighter 600 calories, 29 fat grams and 1080 mg of sodium.

*Note: The nutrition information isn't available on Domino's Web site. AOL Health requested the information from Domino's directly.

Rachel Been, AOL

Quiznos Tuna Melt, large

Calories: 1760 calories
Fat: 133 g
Sodium:2120 mg

If you want to stick to the government's health guidelines, eat this over the space of two days or you'll go overboard on fat. And hold the dressing on this one -- it'll save you 370 calories and 40 fat grams. Yikes!

Melanie J. Kramer, AOL

Wendy's Premium Fish Fillet Sandwich

Calories: 470
Fat: 24 g
Sodium: 930 mg

Don't let the "premium" and "fish" in the name fool you into thinking this new order is lean. For a truly lighter option from Wendy's try the Grilled Chicken Go Wrap, which contains 260 calories, 11 fat grams and 760 mg of sodium.

Rachel Been, AOL

Ruby Tuesday's Boston Blue Burger

Calories: 1466
Fat: 98 g
Sodium: Not available

This burger contains more than a day and a third's worth of fat grams -- or a fat content equivalent to four meals. It also contains about three-fourths of a day's worth of calories, and who knows what Ruby Tuesday's doesn't want you to know about the sodium content!

*Nutrition Information varies by location.

Keith Morrison, AOL

Dunkin' Donuts Waffle Breakfast Sandwich

Calories: 390
Fat: 23 g
Sodium: 1000 mg

While this bad boy doesn't compare to the train wreck of a breakfast platter from McDonald's (see slide 22), do you really want to eat nearly half a day's worth of sodium for breakfast?

Keith Morrison, AOL

Ruby Tuesday's Veggie Burger

Calories: 1007
Fat: 53 g
Sodium: Not available

Okay, this is a tough one to understand. Store-bought veggie patties like those available from Garden Burger, Boca Burger and Morningstar Farms, usually amount to about 100 calories and 5 grams of fat without any fixings. Which begs the question, just what kind of fixings is Ruby Tuesday's adding in? To be fair, this meat-free version is lower in calories and fat than most of the other burger options available from Ruby Tuesday's.

*Nutrition Information varies by location.

Keith Morrison, AOL

Ruby Tuesday's Kids' Mini Turkey Burgers and Fries

Calories: 873
Fat: 46 g
Sodium: Not available

If you're watching your weight while eating out, you might think that the kid's menu is a safe place to order from. That's not necessarily the case at Ruby Tuesday's. While the kids' minis are certainly lighter than their adult counterparts, they also contain about 70 percent of the fat adults should consume in a day.

Note: Dietary recommendations for calorie, fat and sodium intake are not available.

*Nutrition Information varies by location.

Keith Morrison, AOL

Hardee's Monster Thickburger

Calories: 1420
Fat: 108 g
Sodium: 2770 mg

This monster tops out your daily fat and sodium. Talk about scary!

James A. Finley, AP

Burger King Steakhouse Burger

Calories: 950
Fat: 59 g
Sodium: 1950 mg

This new BK burger packs half the calories and nearly all of the sodium and fat you should have in one day. If you eat it, don't even think about ordering a side of fries. A small order would tack on an extra 340 calories, 17 fat grams and 590 mg of sodium.

Keith Morrison, AOL

Source

Comments (12)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

bryantp 5-11-2009 @ 5:10PM

Was done with Dominos long before this. It is possible to make a pizza without destroying a diet...wounding it but only a flesh wound. They're not trying because that's not what America's buying. Simple as that. Just do it at home. Taste better, healthier, quick, and lower calories....and costs less.

BrianG 5-11-2009 @ 6:07PM

Get over it !! You couldn't figure out on your own that these are fattening? Give me a break!! My theory is this, if you eat out it's probably going to make you fat, period ! The very fact your shocked by this shocks me. Let's see, bread, pasta, sauce, hmmm, makes me wonder who does the research !

Jared 5-11-2009 @ 8:17PM

I believe that she was not shocked about the fact that these bread bowls were fattening. It was the fact that Dominos lied to her when she thought that the info they gave her was "to good to be true". Turns out she was "RIGHT".

And tracking down Dominos in the first place pretty much shows the research. Can't help it if PR departments lie.

Rachel 5-12-2009 @ 8:20AM

If you received anything in writing (hard copy or electronic) from Domino's PR or otherwise, I think you should post it as images in your blog. That would make a statement.

Indeed, it was hard to believe that the nutritionals could have been that low for that evil of a product. But it's obvious that we aren't looking to Domino's to provide healthful meals.

Judy 5-12-2009 @ 9:07PM

I'd also like to see copies of the actual info from Domino's. Companies deliberately word things to confuse people and make their statements unclear - I'd like to see the evidence.

But I haven't eaten at Domino's in years, partly because I think their food is gross, but more because I try to support businesses whose overall practices I agree with (although I can't, always), and I don't agree with a lot of what the Domino's founder does.

Pizza Hut always makes me sick to my stomach (so do KFC and Taco Bell, all owned by the same company), so that leaves me with Papa John's as my only pizza choice.

Dez 5-18-2009 @ 3:18PM

I KNEW THESE THINGS WERE HORRIBLE (high cal) the minute I saw the first commercial. I have not been to a Dominos in ages however am completely DONE w/ them at this point. I'm no fan of any eating establishment that HIDES the nutrition info. There are still several establishments that will "refer you to our PR dept" instead of posting things online or documented at the counters, etc...

Thanks for the info! Found this article while on their site trying to find the nutrition info - out of curiosity - i just KNEW they were horrible! SWEET! MY ENTIRE DAY'S WORTH OF CALORIES IN 1 SITTING. That's efficiency right? :D

Dez

dalee perkins 5-24-2009 @ 8:36PM

I just saw an add for the Dominos bread bowl and my first thought, omg, how many freaking calories will this have? It has to be huge and you confirmed that indeed it is very fattening.
I gave up on Dominos 20 years ago...it just isn't my type of food but I am impressed by this new product. Not in a good way but just that anyone would eat something like this and ever expect to be healthy.

Allison 5-28-2009 @ 10:43PM

Ummm... OK First, I'm sorry, but you just have to be an idiot to assume that those bread bowls are only around 700 calories. The bread alone is that much! I don't think you were lied to, I think it was more of a miscommunication. They told you how much ONE serving was, just because they didn't tell you how much the entire thing was doesn't mean they lied. And if you look at their website all of their nutritional information is given PER SERVING. And really, to people saying that they're hiding the information- they gave it out to her when she asked! How is that hiding??

And to people complaining about Domino's ownership- it's a franchise. Every Domino's has a different owner. So maybe you don't like the founder of Domino's, but your local one could be different. Really, those bread bowls are full of ridiculous calories, but who cares?? If you don't want it, don't eat it! Why does everyone have to be so immature and complain about every little thing? It's simple- don't do or eat something you don't like. You're wasting more time complaining.

Don of the Dead 6-03-2009 @ 8:20PM

You health nuts may live longer, but you live miserable calorie counting lives eating Tofu and drinking Soy Juice (its not milk, since they'res no soy tit)

"Oh! I' dlove to eat that slice of bread, but it will totally push me over my carb/sugar/fat count for the day, guess I'll just lick this lemon wedge."

I'll die at 70-80 and enjoy a nice foot long Philly Cheesesteak and laugh at you all. You enjoy living to 100+ crapping your pants and forgetting who your kids are.

Bob McEnaney 6-03-2009 @ 9:39PM

I'm sure the correct information didn't surprise you, and that it probably confirmed what you guessed. Too bad you had to work so hard to get the accurate info.

Bob
www.totalcyclingperformance.com

Hime 6-10-2009 @ 6:08AM

I'm pretty sure you're wrong again..

You got the calories right this time, but it's obviously not "30 grams of fat in one sitting" if you eat the whole thing, since you said before that "the calories for both servings range from 670-740, with 24-28 grams of fat per Pasta Bread Bowl (meaning your individual serving is 335-370 calories). "

If 1 serving has ~30 grams of fat, then the whole thing would be 60 grams.

I think the concoction sounds DISGUSTING, but people don't realize they eat about 100 grams of fat if they eat an entire Tony's pizza (which is really small to begin with), so in comparison to pizza 60 grams of fat for a meal is really not much. I mean heck, I realized there is 80 grams of fat in most Bertolli chicken dinners, and they fill one medium sized bowl, and are filled with veggies and lean meat.

nicole 6-28-2009 @ 12:27AM

Ok, so the calorie and fat content are high. What do you expect when you eat at a Pizza Shop. However, I ordered a pasta bowl tonight. If you are a conscience eater, you can cut calories and fat. I got a build your own with just pasta, tomatoes, spinach and shredded parmesan. It was absolutely delicious and without the sauce, a good portion of calories and fat were cut. Also, the breadbowls are huge. I ate about half and was stuffed. If you eat them exactly the way the pictures depict them and eat the entire thing, yes they are bad, but for a Friday night treat with the right toppings, no sauce and only half the bowl, it isn't that bad after all.