Pizza is something we have grown up with. From school lunch dinners to takeouts in college. Now we’re on all trying to make healthy lifestyle changes, maybe it is time to bid it farewell.  Well, before we jump to conclusions and make promises that we can’t keep,  let’s find out how many calories are in a slice of pizza. Keep reading to find out what I have discovered  about our beloved meal time favourite. 

Truth is that the amount of calories in a slice of pizza varies. This is because your homemade pizza is probably a little different to a delivery from Domino’s or Pizza Hut.  There is definitely no harm in indulging every now and then. It all depends on the ingredients used to make your mouth-watering, gooey, delicious, cheesy pizza. 

On average, calories in a slice of pizza has around 300 calories, depending on the crust, toppings and other ingredients. This might sound a little shocking but it is important to remember that there are other things to consider beyond calories when trying to maintain a balanced diet. For example, take out and frozen varieties may contain artificial preservatives and unhealthy fats. Let’s have a look at some big factors and then you can learn about some ways to reduce your calorie intake. 

Pizzas have empty calories that come from unhealthy fats and sugars. There are some ingredients such as the cheese that may contain nutrients. Whilst reading, keep in mind the recommended calorie intake for men and women is around 2000 to 3000 calories in a day. This will vary depending on how active one is and on other factors such as pregnancy.

Calories in different types of Pizzas

Fast-Food/Takeaway Pizza

1. Easily one of the most popular takeout options. The variety and the frequent deals are so very tempting. Half and half, stuffed crust, dips and sides….sound familiar? 
2. According to the Domino’s calorie counter, a slice from a medium-sized cheese and tomato pizza with a classic crust contains 172 calories ( also 9g of Protein, 3.5g Saturated Fat, 20.6g Carbohydrates, 740mg Sodium)
3. A similar slice from Pizza Hut contains 240 calories ( also 11g of Protein, 4.5g Saturated Fat, 27g Carbohydrates, 530mg Sodium). Roughly ⅓ of these calories come from fat. These pizzas are on the lower calorie spectrum, but as you include extra toppings, sides and dips, they begin to add up. Not to mention that the recommended portion sizes are usually about 3 slices. As we all know, it is not the easiest thing to stop at 3 slices. 
4. As you go up to the heavier meat toppings and added cheese stuffed crust, a Pizza Hut slice comes to an eye-watering 480 calories. 
5. Notice that despite having fewer calories, the Domino’s pizza has a higher salt content. It is important to consider other nutritional information when deciding on which kind of pizza to eat.
6. Eating in at these fast food outlets would likely not make any difference in the nutritional quality. At least, you sometimes get a free salad bar.

Frozen Pizza

• This option is highly processed as you can expect. Usually full of sodium and sugar. It is definitely the cheapest form of bought pizzas. 
• A slice of a Goodfella’s cheese pizza is 245 calories. They are along the same lines as takeaway pizzas.

Restaurant/ Pizzeria

• We love to go out for dinner, to celebrate special occasions and just to treat yourself. Usually at a more expensive cost, pizzas eaten in slightly fancier Italian restaurants and pizzerias are truly a treat. 
• Just like the other types of pizzas, the number of calories will depend on the ingredients used. 
• To ensure better quality, the ingredients may be fresher than a takeaway pizza. This will depend on the restaurant. The best thing to do is to check their website to find out the nutritional value of their meals.

Homemade Pizza

• Truly, nothing compares to knowing exactly what goes into your food. Making pizzas from home gives you the chance to control how many calories you are consuming per slice. 
• Using fresh ingredients and making your own sauce can reduce the sugar and sodium levels in your meal. 
• Even if you make a pizza similar to your favourite takeaways, you can ensure that the calories come from more nutritious sources such as vegetables, rather than processed meats.

Source of calories?

It is important to know where all these calories are coming from if you want to monitor your daily intake. This can help you make informed choices when buying, ordering in or just making your own. 

The main ingredients are: 

1. Cheese: Toppings contribute a lot of the calories in your meal. Cheese is a great source of protein and calcium. On the downside, it is full of saturated fats which according to the American Heart Association can add to your weight gain. Asides from that, it can raise your cholesterol levels and put you at a greater risk of heart and circulatory disease. For this reason, it is good to eat in moderation.
2. Flour: We all know that delicious dough brings everything together. Pizzas are typically made with refined flour which do not have a lot of fibre. This makes you full for a short while before you begin to feel hungry again. Refined carbs tend to lack other nutrients that can benefit the body. 
3. Meats (and other toppings): Much of the meat that you will find on your frozen pizza and humble takeout will be processed in order to make them last longer. According to healthline, processed meats contain harmful chemical compounds that can increase the risk of chronic disease. This includes both red meat(sausage, ham, bacon)  and white meat (chicken, turkey).
4. It’s not all bad news. You can enjoy your pizza without feeling guilty by trying out the  suggestions below! 

Useful Tips for enjoying your pizza guilt-free

The key is making sure that the calories you are consuming are coming from the right places, and not just unhealthy fats. It is also important to eat foods that are nutritious as calories alone don’t determine how healthy a meal is.

• Many people drink sugary drinks and eat other unhealthy sides with their pizzas. Try to eat your pizza with healthy sides such as salad. The fuller you are with other things, the fewer the slices of pizza you may end up consuming. 
• Drink water when eating pizza, rather than sugary drinks. 
• Make your own. This will save you money and allow you to have control over the quality of your ingredients. It also allows you to be more creative with your food. There are plenty of recipes for pizzas under 300 calories.

If you find this information useful and valuation in your decision making process, let us know and make sure you comment and share! we alwasy want to hear from you.

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