15.05.2024
5 MIN READ
5 MIN READ
Calories, carbs and protein: Can pizzas ever be classed as healthy?
It’s the age-old question: Is pizza bad for you? In a nutshell, no – so long as it’s enjoyed in moderation. But if you’re keen to know more about how healthy pizza can be, you’ve come to the right place. As the pizza aficionados, we’re here to slice through the nutritional facts surrounding this topic to offer you a well-rounded view so you can keep ordering the pizza you love.
Nutritional facts about pizza
First things first, let’s take a closer look at the nutritional facts and figures of a pizza. This varies somewhat from pizza to pizza, as it of course depends on the exact ingredients, size, and toppings in each case. But here’s a breakdown of what you'll find in our original base, medium-sized Cheese & Tomato pizza, per 100g:
- Calories: 281
- Protein: 12.3g
- Carbs: 32.6g
- Sugar: 5.2g
- Fat: 10.6g
- Fibre: 3g
- Sodium: 0.58g
- Salt: 1.4g
Understanding these numbers can help you make more mindful food choices. Being aware of your sugar, fat and salt intake can help you maintain a balanced diet.
So, what should you look out for? According to the NHS food guidelines a food is high in sugar if it contains more than 22.5g of total sugars per 100g, high in fat if it contains more than 17.5g of fat per 100g, and more than 1.5g of salt per 100g.
Looking at our numbers above, that means you can enjoy more than a few slices of your favourite Papa Johns pizza – and if you want to save some for the next day, see our guide on storing and re-heating leftover pizza.
How many calories are in a takeaway pizza?
We’ve covered how many calories are in 100g of pizza, but how many calories are in a whole pizza? And what about the number of calories in a slice of pizza?
Here’s a breakdown of the calories in some of our most popular original base medium (11.5”) takeaway pizzas, including Cheese & Tomato and Double Pepperoni – per pizza, and per slice:
|
Pizza |
Per pizza |
Per slice |
|
Cheese & Tomato |
1610 |
201 |
|
American Hot |
1763 |
220 |
|
BBQ Meat Feast |
2026 |
253 |
|
BBQ Chicken Classic |
1765 |
220 |
|
Double Pepperoni |
2243 |
280 |
|
Garden Party |
1570 |
196 |
Nutrional Information Guide for Customers/
According to the NHS calories guidelines, the average man needs 2,500kcal a day, and the average woman needs 2,000kcal a day. It’s important to bear in mind this can be different for every individual as it varies on factors like age, weight and how much exercise you do.
Is pizza high in protein?
Pizza does typically contain a decent amount of protein, mainly from ingredients like cheese and various toppings such as meats or the plant-based alternatives. For example, the protein content in our original base, medium-sized All The Meats pizza is 16.8g per 100g.
So, if you like to exercise and are wondering if it’s good for energy and building muscle – it can be, so long as it’s enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
5 ways to make pizza a healthy choice
Now you know the nutritional breakdown of a pizza, here are a few tips and tricks on how to enjoy pizza as a healthy choice.
1. Load up on veggies: Choose a variety of vibrant vegetables as toppings. Veggies like tomatoes, onions, peppers, sweetcorn and mushrooms not only add flavour, but provide essential nutrients. And if you like the sound of this, you’ll love our Garden Party pizza.
2. Create your own: With Papa Johns, you’ve got the option to design your very own pizza with a choice of up to seven different toppings. Choosing to top your pizza with the likes of either veggies or protein like chicken or beef can make it a healthier option.
3. Choose a thinner crust: Try our Authentic Thin Crust for a lighter – and crispier – pizza. Thinner crusts typically contain fewer calories and carbs compared to thicker bases. You’ll also be staying true to pizza’s roots – hundreds of years ago, the very first pizzas ago were baked on thin, flatbread style bases.
4. Control portions: Moderation is key. Enjoying pizza in moderation, along with a side salad or a serving of fresh fruit will help manage portion sizes and balances out your meal, making it a more well-rounded choice.
5. Mind the cheese: While cheese is a pizza staple, going without it occasionally can still make for a tasty slice. This style of pizza even has its own name – it's known as a pizza marinara and has roots in 1800s Naples.
Ready to place your order?
Now you know how to make pizza a healthy choice without compromising on taste, what does your next pizza order look like? Be inspired with our latest deals and offers and find your nearest Papa Johns.
Sources:
https://www.papajohns.co.uk/pdfs/nutritional-information.pdf
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/food-guidelines-and-food-labels/how-to-read-food-labels/
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-weight/managing-your-weight/understanding-calories/
https://law.rwu.edu/library/blog/do-not-be-alarmed-no-one-stole-cheese-your-pizza
