How many calories does Papa John’s pepperoni pizza have?

Papa John’s is one of the most popular pizza chains in the United States. Their pepperoni pizza is a fan favorite, loaded with gooey cheese, zesty tomato sauce, and sliced pepperoni. But one thing many people wonder about Papa John’s pepperoni pizza is – how many calories does it have?

Calories in a Slice of Papa John’s Pepperoni Pizza

Let’s start by looking at the calories in a single slice of a medium Papa John’s pepperoni pizza:

  • 1 slice (1/8 of a 14″ pizza) = 320 calories

So a single slice of a medium Papa John’s pepperoni pizza contains 320 calories. This is just for the slice itself, not counting any dipping sauces or other sides you might add.

Calories in a Whole Medium Papa John’s Pepperoni Pizza

Now let’s look at the calories for an entire medium Papa John’s pepperoni pizza:

  • Whole medium (14″) pepperoni pizza = 2,560 calories

A whole medium pepperoni pizza from Papa John’s contains 2,560 total calories. Since there are 8 slices in a medium pizza, that multiplied by 320 calories per slice gives us the total calories for the full pizza.

Calories in Papa John’s Pepperoni Pizza by Size

Papa John’s offers pepperoni pizzas in different sizes beyond just medium. Here’s how the calories break down for a pepperoni pizza from Papa John’s in each size:

Pizza Size Total Calories
Small (10″) 1,920 calories
Medium (14″) 2,560 calories
Large (16″) 3,200 calories

As you can see, the calories go up with each larger pizza size. The small has 1,920 calories total, while the medium has 2,560 calories, and the large comes in at 3,200 calories.

Calories in Papa John’s Specialty Pepperoni Pizzas

Beyond the basic pepperoni pizza, Papa John’s also offers some specialty pepperoni pizzas. These have additional toppings and tend to be higher in calories. Here are the calories for some of Papa John’s specialty pepperoni pizzas:

Specialty Pizza Total Calories (14″ medium)
Pepperoni and Sausage 2,880 calories
The Works 3,000 calories
Pepperoni, Beef, Onion, and Green Pepper 3,000 calories
MeatZZa 2,880 calories

The specialty pizzas tend to have between 320-500 extra calories compared to a regular pepperoni pizza from Papa John’s depending on the toppings included.

Ways to Reduce Calories in Papa John’s Pepperoni Pizza

While Papa John’s pepperoni pizza is high in calories, there are some ways you can reduce the calorie count if you want to lighten it up:

  • Order a thin crust instead of regular crust
  • Choose a smaller size pizza
  • Add more vegetable toppings like onions, mushrooms, tomatoes, etc.
  • Skip the dipping sauces or choose lower calorie options like garlic sauce instead of ranch
  • Eat fewer slices by splitting the pizza with others
  • Brush off excess oil or grease before eating your slices

Making simple tweaks like these can help cut down on some of the calories while still letting you enjoy Papa John’s famous pepperoni pizza.

Nutrition Facts for Papa John’s Pepperoni Pizza

Beyond just calories, let’s also look at some of the key nutrition facts for Papa John’s pepperoni pizza:

Nutrition Facts 14″ Medium Pepperoni Pizza Per Slice (1/8 pizza)
Calories 2,560 320
Total Fat 100g 12g
Saturated Fat 42g 5g
Trans Fat 0g 0g
Cholesterol 80mg 10mg
Sodium 3,480mg 435mg
Total Carbohydrates 267g 33g
Dietary Fiber 8g 1g
Sugar 12g 1.5g
Protein 63g 8g

Some key takeaways from the nutrition information: a pepperoni pizza from Papa John’s is high in calories, fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium. It also contains a considerable amount of protein from all of the cheese and pepperoni. There are some carbohydrates from the pizza dough and a little bit of sugar in the tomato sauce.

Papa John’s Pepperoni Pizza Calorie Count Comparison

To put the calorie count of Papa John’s pepperoni pizza in context, let’s compare it to some other popular pizza chains and fast food options:

Food Total Calories
Papa John’s Pepperoni Pizza (14″ medium) 2,560
Domino’s Pepperoni Pizza (14″ medium hand-tossed) 2,400
Pizza Hut Pepperoni Pizza (14″ large pan) 3,760
Little Caesars Pepperoni Pizza (14″ large classic) 2,150
McDonald’s Big Mac 540
Burger King Whopper 670
Wendy’s Baconator Double 930

Compared to other popular pizza places, the Papa John’s pepperoni pizza has a similar calorie count in the range of 2,400-3,800 calories for a medium/large pizza depending on the brand. It’s much higher in calories compared to fast food burgers, but that’s also factoring in that an entire pizza serves multiple people unlike a single burger.

Tips for Enjoying Pepperoni Pizza While Managing Calories

Here are some tips to keep in mind so you can still enjoy pepperoni pizza from Papa John’s or elsewhere while managing your overall calorie intake:

  • Stick to reasonable slice portions, such as 1-2 slices per person
  • Pair it with a healthy side salad instead of fries or breadsticks
  • Split the pizza with a group rather than eating multiple slices yourself
  • Opt for thin crust instead of deep dish or pan pizzas
  • Load up on veggie toppings instead of extra meats
  • Dip crust in marinara sauce instead of garlic butter or ranch dressing
  • Drink water instead of soda, juice, or other sugary drinks
  • Balance it out by eating lighter earlier in the day when having pizza

You definitely don’t need to avoid or cut out pizza entirely to be healthy. But being mindful of portions, ingredients, and frequency can help you satisfy an occasional pizza craving without going overboard on calories.

Should You Be Concerned About the Calories in Papa John’s Pizza?

Given that a Papa John’s pepperoni pizza contains over 2,500 calories for a full medium pie, should you be concerned about the high calorie count?

The answer depends on your overall diet and lifestyle habits. If you are sedentary and eat pizza frequently while also consuming other high calorie foods, then the calories can quickly add up resulting in weight gain or other health issues.

However, if you are active, eat a balanced diet, and only have pizza occasionally, then enjoying some Papa John’s in moderation is unlikely to be detrimental. As part of an overall healthy diet and lifestyle, an occasional pepperoni pizza can be incorporated without major problems for most people.

The risks come in when pizza makes up too large or frequent a part of someone’s regular diet. But as an occasional treat, Papa John’s pepperoni pizza is fine for most people. Just be mindful of portions and your overall nutrition.

Conclusion

So how many calories are actually in a Papa John’s pepperoni pizza? A medium 14-inch pepperoni pizza from Papa John’s contains around 2,560 total calories. That breaks down to 320 calories per standard slice. The amount of calories goes up with larger pizzas or additional meat or cheese toppings.

Comparatively, Papa John’s pepperoni pizza has a similar calorie count to competitors like Domino’s or Pizza Hut. It’s much higher in calories compared to fast food burgers, but serves more people than a single burger.

While the calorie count is high, you can still enjoy Papa John’s pizza in moderation as part of an overall balanced diet. Just be mindful of portions, ingredients, and how often you eat it. An occasional slice of pepperoni pizza can be incorporated into a healthy lifestyle for most people without problem. But it’s best not to make it a regular staple of your diet.

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