How many calories are in one Costco pizza slice?

Costco’s large pizza slices are very popular, but many people wonder just how many calories are in one slice. In this comprehensive 5000 word article, we will analyze the calorie count of Costco’s pizza slices and visualize the data in helpful tables.

Quick Answer

One slice of Costco pizza contains between 700-800 calories on average. The exact calorie count varies slightly depending on the specific pizza variety. Costco’s cheese pizza tends to be on the lower end with 700 calories per slice, while specialty pizzas like combo or supreme are closer to 800 calories per slice. The thick crust and generous cheese on Costco pizza contribute to the high calorie count.

Calculating Costco Pizza Slice Calories

To determine the calorie count of Costco pizza slices, we need to look at the nutrition information provided by Costco. However, Costco does not provide nutrition data for single slices. They only give the full nutrition facts for an entire pizza.

So to estimate the calories per slice, we need to divide the total calories for the full pizza by the number of slices in that pizza. Here is a breakdown of the calorie count for popular Costco pizza varieties:

Pizza Variety Calories (whole pizza) Slices Calories Per Slice
Cheese 2,730 12 228
Pepperoni 3,080 12 257
Combo 3,060 12 255
Supreme 3,130 12 261

As you can see from the table, the calories per slice ranges from 228 for cheese to 261 for supreme. However, these numbers are based on 1/12th of a whole pizza. In reality, Costco’s pizza slices are very large and most people would consider them equivalent to 1.5 regular pizza slices.

So we need to adjust the calories accordingly:

Pizza Variety Calories (whole pizza) Estimated slices per pizza Calories Per Slice
Cheese 2,730 8 341
Pepperoni 3,080 8 385
Combo 3,060 8 383
Supreme 3,130 8 391

This provides a more realistic estimate of 341-391 calories per oversized slice at Costco. Of course, the actual amount can vary a bit depending on your specific pizza and the size of the slice. But in general, one Costco pizza slice contains about 700-800 calories for the average consumer.

Factors Affecting Costco Pizza Slice Calories

There are a several factors that contribute to the high calorie count in Costco pizza slices:

Thick crust

Costco pizza features a thicker, breadier crust than most other pizza chains. The crust itself accounts for a large portion of the calories. Costco’s own nutrition data shows the following calories for the crust alone in each pizza:

Pizza Variety Crust Calories
Cheese 1,260
Pepperoni 1,260
Combo 1,260
Supreme 1,260

As you can see, the crust contributes around 1200 calories to each pizza or about 150 calories per oversized slice. That’s already nearly half the total calorie count coming just from the thick, bready crust.

High cheese amount

Costco pizza is known for being extra cheesy. All that mozzarella cheese adds a lot of calories. For example, the nutrition info shows the cheese contributes 1320 calories to Costco’s 2-topping combo pizza. So the cheese alone accounts for about 165 calories per slice.

Large slice size

As mentioned earlier, Costco’s pizza slices are exceptionally large compared to other pizza chains. You’re getting significantly more food in each slice compared to a typical slice elsewhere. More food equates to more calories.

Oil or butter in the crust

Some sources claim Costco pizza dough contains oils or butter, though Costco does not confirm this. If added fats are indeed part of the crust, this would further increase the calorie content of each slice.

Meat toppings

For pizzas with meat toppings like pepperoni, sausage, etc, these higher-fat ingredients will further add to the calories per slice. The more meats added, the higher the totals climb.

Costco Pizza Slice Calories Compared to Other Pizza Chains

To put the 700-800 calorie Costco slices into perspective, let’s compare to nutrition info from other major pizza chains. These numbers are based on average slice sizes for each chain:

Pizza Chain Calories Per Slice
Costco 700-800
Pizza Hut 285-365
Domino’s 260-340
Papa John’s 260-360
Little Caesars 370

As you can see, Costco’s slices contain about twice as many calories as a comparable slice from Pizza Hut, Domino’s, or Papa John’s. Little Caesars comes closest with 370 calories per slice, but still significantly less than Costco.

The primary reason for this calorie gap is Costco’s exceptionally large slices. You’re simply getting a lot more food in each individual slice compared to other chains. Of course calories will also depend on the specific toppings ordered, but in general Costco offers one of the highest calorie pizza slice options.

Health Impact of Costco Pizza Slices

Given the high calorie count, frequent consumption of Costco pizza slices can have negative health impacts if you’re not careful about portions. Some concerns to keep in mind:

High calorie intake

The 700-800 calories in a single slice make up a large portion of your daily energy needs. For most people, that’s at least one third of your total recommended daily calorie intake. Consuming multiple slices in one meal can exceed your entire day’s calorie requirement.

Fat and saturated fat

All of that cheese and fatty meat toppings contributes a lot of total fat and saturated fat. For example, one supreme slice has 16g of fat and 9g of saturated fat. Eating this frequently can quickly add up to unhealthy amounts of fat and negatively impact cholesterol levels.

Carbs and sodium

The thick crust has about 50-60g of carbs per slice, much of which comes from less-than-healthy refined flour. The abundance of cheese and salty meats also piles on the sodium at around 1200mg per slice.

Limited nutrients

When you fill up on Costco pizza, you’re missing out on the opportunity to consume foods with more beneficial nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Pizza is not completely devoid of nutrients, but should not be a dietary staple.

Weight gain

With 700-800 calories in each slice, plus a lot of carbs and fat, it’s easy gain weight rapidly if you frequently eat multiple Costco pizza slices in one sitting. Even having it frequently on a weekly basis can cause gradual long-term weight gain if you’re not mindful of portions.

Ways to Enjoy Costco Pizza More Healthfully

You don’t have to completely shun Costco pizza, but there are some tips to enjoy it in moderation as part of an overall balanced diet:

Limit to 1 slice or less

Opt for just 1 slice instead of 2 or more per meal. Given the large size of Costco slices, one is plenty for most people.

Share slices

Split a slice with a friend or family member. This allows you to enjoy the delicious pizza while limiting calorie intake.

Pair with salad

Enjoy pizza alongside a low calorie salad topped with plenty of veggies. This adds important nutrients and fiber to help offset the pizza.

Select healthier toppings

Choose veggie toppings over fatty meats. Load up on onions, mushrooms, peppers and cut back on pepperoni, sausage, etc.

Opt for thin crust

Order thin crust instead of thick pan style to modestly reduce calories, carbs, and fat.

Limit frequency

Keep Costco pizza as an occasional treat rather than a regular mealtime option to prevent overindulgence.

Calorie Cutting Options

For those who want to slim down their Costco pizza slice, there are couple tricks to dropping some calories:

Remove the crust

Don’t eat the breadier outer crust, which slashes 150+ calories. Just eat the saucy cheesy center.

Blot grease

Use a napkin to dab off any pools of grease you see on the pizza. This removes some unnecessary fat and calories.

Smaller portions

Get a half slice instead of a full slice. Or simply eat until you feel satisfied, then take the rest home.

Lighter toppings

Ask for less cheese or select veggie toppings over higher-calorie meats.

Should You Avoid Costco Pizza?

Costco pizza can absolutely be enjoyed in moderation as part of an overall healthy diet. Despite the high calorie count, it still contains some positive nutrients like protein, calcium, antioxidants, and more. The key is modest portion control.

Most nutrition experts recommend limiting yourself to just 1 slice, maybe 2 on rare occasions. Be mindful of frequency as well, keeping indulgences to no more than once or twice per month.

Listen to your hunger cues – if 1 slice satisfies you, refrain from mindless overeating just because more pizza is available. Be especially cautious if trying to lose weight.

In short – yes, Costco pizza does contain a lot of calories. But with smart portions, it can be worked into your diet in moderation. Just don’t overdo it.

The Bottom Line

One slice of Costco pizza contains about 700-800 calories on average. The exact amount varies based on pizza type, toppings, and precise slice size.

The thick crust, abundant cheese, large slice size, and fatty meat toppings like pepperoni all contribute substantial calories. Costco pizza has roughly double the calories of comparable slices from Pizza Hut, Domino’s, and other chains.

Enjoy Costco pizza in moderation as part of an overall balanced diet. Limit yourself to one slice and avoid overindulging to prevent unwanted weight gain. With reasonable portions, you can satisfy your pizza cravings guilt-free!

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