Are you trying to enjoy the delicious flavor of pizza, but worried about how it might affect your waistline? That’s a reasonable concern many of us have in our lives! The truth is that pizza isn’t all bad. Most pizzas offer a wide range of nutritious toppings alongside other tasty ingredients. But how many calories are in a slice of pizza? We’ll be taking an in-depth look into this question and discussing everything from thick-crust to thin-crust pies. Whether you’re on a diet or just curious, this post offers valuable insight for anyone interested in figuring out the nutritional impact of their food choices.
What Are Calories?
To start off, we need to understand what calories actually are. Simply put, calories are a unit of measurement used to measure the amount of energy supplied by food and drinks. Our bodies require energy to function properly and carry out all our daily activities. This energy comes from the food we eat and is measured in the form of calories.
Pizza Nutrition Facts
Here are some general nutrition facts for pizza:b Calories: 285. Fat: 10.4g. Sodium: 640mg. Carbohydrates: 35.6g. Fiber: 2.5g. Sugars: 3.8g. Protein: 12.2g. Keep in mind that these numbers can vary depending on the type and size of pizza, as well as the toppings and crust used. However, this gives us a general idea of what to expect when it comes to the calorie content of pizza.
Health Benefits Of Eating Pizzas
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Although pizza has often been associated with low nutritional value, published data reveals that this perception is generally incorrect. In reality, most pizzas offer a substantial amount of nutritional value as they serve as a good source of protein, complex carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals, while having a relatively low caloric density. However, the specific number of calories in a slice of pizza may vary depending on the toppings and size.
How Many Calories Are In A Slice Of Pizza?
“How many calories are in a slice of pizza?” On average, each slice of pizza contains approximately 250-350 calories. According to nutrition data, pepperoni, cheese, and meat lovers’ thin crust pizza with additional cheese have 250 to 400 calories. Pepperoni and cheese account for around 260 to 280 kcal, whereas meat lovers comprise 577 kcal.
Calories In A Slice Of Pizza By Popular Toppings
Each slice of pizza typically contains an average of 250-350 calories. Here’s a breakdown of the approximate calories in one slice of pizza with different toppings:
1 SLICE | CALORIES | TOTAL FAT (G) | SODIUM (MG) | CARBS (G) | PROTEIN (G) |
Cheese | 272 | 9.8 | 551 | 33.6 | 12.3 |
Extra cheese | 320 | 12 | 780 | 34 | 14 |
Hawaiian | 260 | 10 | 650 | 30 | 13 |
Margherita | 300 | 13 | 400 | 30 | 14 |
Meat | 380 | 17 | 1,040 | 38 | 15 |
Meat and veggies | 330 | 11 | 900 | 40 | 14 |
Pepperoni | 298 | 12.1 | 683 | 34 | 13.3 |
Sicilian | 269 | 11.1 | 554 | 30.1 | 14.2 |
Thin crust | 191 | 9.9 | 366 | 16.7 | 8.9 |
Vegan cheese | 260 | 9 | 650 | 38 | 6 |
Veggie | 260 | 7 | 560 | 34 | 12 |
White pizza | 274 | 12.5 | 570 | 28.8 | 12.4 |
Calories In A Pizza Slice By Brand
It’s also important to note that the calorie content of pizza can vary significantly depending on the brand and type of crust used. Here are some examples:
- Domino’s Cheese Pizza (hand-tossed, regular): 200 kcal
- Papa John’s Pepperoni Pizza (original crust, medium): 210 kcal
- Little Caesars Meat Lovers Pizza (thin crust, large): 285 kcal
- Pizza Hut Veggie Lover’s Pizza (pan crust, medium): 240 kcal
- California Pizza Kitchen Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Pizza (hand-tossed, small): 300 kcal.
Why Does Pizza Have So Many Calories?
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Pizza typically has a high calorie content due to its toppings and ingredients. These can include cheese, meat, oils, and processed meats like pepperoni or sausage. Additionally, the crust of pizza is often made with refined flour which can contribute to an increase in calories. However, there are also healthier alternatives available such as whole wheat crusts and vegetable-based toppings that can help reduce the overall calorie count.
Factors That Impact The Number Of Calories In A Slice Of Pizza
As mentioned earlier, there are several factors that can affect the number of calories in a slice of pizza. These include:
- Type and size of pizza: The type and size of pizza can greatly impact the calorie count. For example, a thin crust pizza will have fewer calories compared to a thick crust pizza.
- Toppings used: As shown in the breakdown above , different toppings can also significantly impact the calorie content of pizza. Vegetables and lean proteins are typically lower in calories compared to processed meats or extra cheese.
- Method of preparation: How the pizza is prepared can also affect its calorie content. For example, a deep-dish pizza will contain more oil compared to a thin crust one, resulting in a higher calorie count.
- Serving size: Lastly, it’s important to note that serving size plays a crucial role in determining the number of calories consumed. It’s easy to underestimate how many slices you’re actually consuming, so paying attention to portion sizes is key.
Risks When Eating Too Much Pizza
Pizza is typically high in saturated fats due to the cheese and processed meat toppings. Consuming three to four slices or more on a regular basis can have negative health consequences, such as increased cholesterol levels and a higher risk for heart disease. It is worth noting that the calorie content of a slice of pizza can vary depending on the ingredients used and the size of the slice, so it’s important to be mindful of portion sizes and choose healthier options when possible.
Tips For Making Healthier Pizza Choices
If you’re a pizza lover but still want to maintain a healthy diet, here are some tips for making smarter choices:
- Opt for thin crust pizzas instead of thick crust.
- Choose vegetable-based toppings, such as mushrooms, bell peppers, and onions, over processed meats like pepperoni or sausage.
- Use whole wheat or cauliflower crusts instead of refined flour crusts.
- Limit the number of slices you consume per serving and pay attention to portion sizes.
- Consider making homemade pizza with healthier ingredients for more control over the nutritional content.
Where Can I Get The Healthiest Pizza?
While it may be tempting to order from your favorite pizza chain, there are also healthier options available. Many local pizzerias offer whole wheat or vegetable-based crusts and use fresher ingredients. Additionally, some grocery stores now carry frozen cauliflower crust pizzas that can be prepared at home for a healthier alternative. It’s always a good idea to check the nutritional information and ingredients before making a decision. So, the next time you’re craving pizza, remember that with the right toppings and crust choices, you can still enjoy this popular dish without compromising your health. Additionally, by being mindful of portion sizes and incorporating regular exercise into your routine, you can make pizza a part of a healthy diet in moderation.
Ronald B Gamrot is the owner of Silverking Brewery, one of the most successful craft breweries in North America. He started the business from scratch in his garage, and it has since grown into a multimillion-dollar operation. Ronald is passionate about brewing delicious beer and providing top-notch customer service. He is a respected member of the brewing community and often speaks at industry events.
I always put about 400 for any slice of pizza where I don’t have control over the ingredients. It may be less but probably not more. Hope that helps!
I wouldn’t do it like that … purposely overestimating calories is just as bad, if not worse than underestimating.
Costco slices being so high in calories are an outlier. Almost every other place is hundreds of calories lower. Some people here use theirs, but personally I go with closer to the average.
It’s hard to tell how big the slices are in this picture but if I had to guess I’d put 540. A local place I go to has slices that look similar and their menu has cheese slices at 540. That’s also in line with Sbarro’s slices.
That is a good point and that’s what I usually do too. That is very helpful though and makes me feel better about my guesstimate for sure! I went with 550, it’s probably not perfect but tracking calories never is and it’s good enough for me.
I don’t know if you’re in the United States, but this looks to be about the same size and cheese distribution as the Costco food court cheese pizza slice, which is about 700 calories.
Wait but there’s 8 slices… 5600 cals for one plain pizza. Not even a ton of meat toppings or anything?
I would say 300 cal How can this be so high in calorie ? 500 is a whole meal.
It is made of bread, cheese, and oil. That’s how it’s 500 cal.
One slice medium hand-tossed cheese is 180cal. This mostly has the dimensions of 1.5 slices (270cal) but with thinner crust, less cheese and less visible grease. So I’d agree with the people saying around 200cal, maybe call it 250 if it’s greasy.
This is very smart thank you.