A slice of large Domino’s pepperoni pizza contains a significant amount of calories, which is important to be aware of for people monitoring their calorie intake. In this comprehensive 5000 word article, we will analyze the calorie content of Domino’s pepperoni pizza and provide detailed answers on exactly how many calories are in one slice of their large pizza.
Quick Answer
One slice of a large Domino’s Hand Tossed pepperoni pizza contains approximately 290 calories.
Calorie Count Breakdown for Domino’s Pepperoni Pizza
Below is a detailed calorie count breakdown for the ingredients in a slice of Domino’s large pepperoni pizza:
| Ingredient | Calories |
|---|---|
| Pizza dough | 130 calories |
| Pizza sauce | 35 calories |
| Low-fat mozzarella cheese | 60 calories |
| Pepperoni | 60 calories |
| Total calories per slice | 285 calories |
As shown, the 3 main calorie contributors are the pizza dough, cheese, and pepperoni. Pizza dough alone accounts for nearly half the calories. When all the ingredients are combined, a slice of Domino’s large pepperoni pizza adds up to around 290 calories.
Nutrition Information for Domino’s Pepperoni Pizza
In addition to calories, here is more detailed nutrition information for a slice of Domino’s pepperoni pizza:
- Total Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
- Sodium: 640mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 33g
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Sugars: 3g
- Protein: 13g
As you can see, one slice of pepperoni pizza also contains a significant amount of fat, sodium, carbs, and protein. Understanding the full nutritional breakdown can help with tracking macros and making informed dietary choices.
Comparing Domino’s Pepperoni Pizza Calories to Other Pizza Chains
How does the 290 calories in a Domino’s pepperoni pizza slice compare to other major pizza chains?
Here is a calorie comparison of a single slice of pepperoni pizza from popular national pizza chains:
| Pizza Chain | Calories Per Slice (Large) |
|---|---|
| Domino’s | 290 calories |
| Pizza Hut | 285 calories |
| Papa John’s | 260 calories |
| Little Caesars | 370 calories |
Domino’s and Pizza Hut pepperoni slices have nearly the same calories, while Papa John’s is slightly lower. Little Caesars has the most calories per slice out of the major national chains. The differences come down to factors like dough, cheese, and pepperoni quality. But in general, all large pepperoni slices from the major pizza chains range between 260-370 calories per slice.
Domino’s Thin Crust vs Hand Tossed Calories
Domino’s offers both thin crust and hand tossed crust options. Is there a difference in calories between thin crust vs hand tossed?
Here is a comparison of the calories in one slice of Domino’s thin crust pepperoni pizza vs their hand tossed pepperoni pizza:
| Crust Type | Calories |
|---|---|
| Thin Crust | 250 calories |
| Hand Tossed | 290 calories |
As shown above, a thin crust slice from Domino’s has around 40 less calories than the hand tossed crust. This calorie difference comes mainly from the thinner, lighter crust used in the thin crust pizza. So if you are trying to save some calories, thin crust is the way to go.
Domino’s Gluten Free Crust Calories
For people who need to avoid gluten, Domino’s also provides a gluten-free crust option. How do the calories compare to the regular crusts?
Here are the calories for a slice of Domino’s pepperoni pizza using the gluten-free crust:
- Gluten-Free Crust: 310 calories
The gluten-free crust adds about 20 more calories per slice compared to the hand tossed crust. The increase is likely due to differences in recipes and ingredients required to make a gluten-free pizza crust.
Variables Impacting Calorie Count
There are a few important variables that can impact the calorie counts for Domino’s pepperoni pizza:
Pizza Size
The calorie counts in this article are specifically for one slice of a large pizza. Smaller or larger pizzas will have different calorie amounts based on the differences in total size and number of slices:
| Pizza Size | Slices | Calories Per Slice |
|---|---|---|
| Small (10″) | 6 slices | 220 calories |
| Medium (12″) | 8 slices | 245 calories |
| Large (14″) | 10 slices | 290 calories |
| X-Large (16″) | 12 slices | 340 calories |
As shown above, the calorie count per slice decreases as the pizza size gets larger, because the pizza is divided into more slices. An X-Large pizza slice will have significantly more calories than a Small or Medium.
Crust Type
As mentioned earlier, thin crust slices from Domino’s have around 40 less calories than hand tossed crust. Gluten-free crust adds about 20 calories more per slice compared to hand tossed.
Number of Toppings
Adding extra toppings beyond just pepperoni will increase the calories per slice. Each additional topping adds between 10-80 calories depending on the ingredient. Some calorie counts for common Domino’s pizza toppings:
| Topping | Calories |
|---|---|
| Pepperoni | 60 calories |
| Sausage | 80 calories |
| Ham | 40 calories |
| Beef | 45 calories |
| Bacon | 60 calories |
| Pineapple | 50 calories |
| Green Peppers | 10 calories |
Ordering extra toppings like sausage, bacon, and ham will add the most calories. Going light on toppings is an easy way to reduce the calorie count per slice.
Cooking Method
Domino’s offers Handmade Pan Pizza in addition to Hand Tossed. The pan pizza has a buttery, thick, deep dish style crust cooked in a pan. This cooking method and crust style adds extra calories:
- Handmade Pan Pizza Slice: 330 calories
The pan pizza adds about 40 more calories per slice compared to the hand tossed pizza. The increase comes from the more buttery, oily crust as well as the thicker overall crust.
Strategies for Lower Calorie Options at Domino’s
If you are looking for ways to cut down on calories when ordering from Domino’s, here are some helpful strategies:
Choose Thin Crust
Go for a thin crust instead of hand tossed or pan crust to save roughly 40 calories per slice.
Downsize the Pizza
Order a small or medium pizza instead of large. The smaller sizes have fewer slices, so each slice contains less calories.
Limit Toppings
Stick to just pepperoni or cheese rather than multiple high-calorie toppings like sausage, bacon, and ham.
Increase Vegetable Toppings
Load up on lower calorie vegetable toppings like mushrooms, onions, tomatoes, spinach, and peppers instead of the meats.
Order Light on Cheese
Request light cheese or half the regular amount to save on some calories from the cheese.
Avoid Dipping Sauces
Opt out of ranch, garlic butter, and other high-fat dipping sauces that add extra calories.
Eat Fewer Slices
Cut back on your portion size. You don’t have to eat the whole pizza. Two slices is plenty for many people.
Pair with a Salad
Order a side salad instead of fries or cheesy bread to add lower calorie options to your meal.
Health Impact of Pepperoni Pizza Calories
While an occasional slice of pepperoni pizza can be fine for most healthy individuals, regularly consuming multiple slices in one sitting can have some negative impacts on health:
Weight Gain
At around 300 calories per slice, a whole pepperoni pizza can easily add up to 1600+ calories. Consuming these excess calories on a frequent basis can lead to weight gain over time, especially if your overall diet and exercise habits are poor.
Heart Health
The high sodium and saturated fat content in pizza raises blood pressure and cholesterol levels, increasing risk for heart disease. Excess calories also contribute to obesity, another heart disease risk factor.
Blood Sugar Spikes
All the refined carbohydrates and calories from the pizza dough and sugar in the sauce cause big spikes in blood sugar after eating. For diabetics or prediabetics, these blood sugar spikes from pizza can be especially problematic.
Nutritional Deficiencies
Pizza is not a very nutrient-dense food. The calories come mainly from refined carbs, cheese, and fatty meats. Consuming too much pizza instead of more balanced whole foods can lead to deficiencies in vitamins, minerals, fiber and other nutrients.
Reduced Diet Quality
High pizza consumption displaces intake of healthier foods and worsens overall diet quality. Most people tend to eat side dishes like fries and sodas when eating pizza, rather than fruits, vegetables and lean proteins.
Ways to Healthy Up Domino’s Pizza
If you choose to occasionally eat Domino’s, here are some tips to make it a healthier meal:
Limit Frequency
Only eat it once a week or a couple times per month to prevent excess calories, fat, sodium, and preservatives.
Combine with Produce
Have a side salad with vinaigrette dressing or sauteed vegetables to add nutrients.
Include Lean Protein
Pair it with grilled chicken breasts, fish, or plant proteins like beans to balance out the meal.
Control Portions
Stick to just 1 or 2 slices instead of half a pizza or more in one sitting.
Hydrate with Water
Choose water over sugary drinks like soda that add extra calories.
Walk After Eating
Take a brisk walk outside after eating to help burn some pizza calories.
Limit Leftovers
Don’t eat leftover pizza multiple days in a row. Make it an occasional treat.
The Bottom Line
A slice of Domino’s large pepperoni pizza contains about 290 calories. However, the calorie count can range from 220 to 370 calories per slice based on size, crust, toppings and other factors. While pizza can be eaten in moderation as part of a balanced diet, regularly consuming multiple slices in one sitting can promote weight gain and negatively impact health due to the high calorie, fat, sodium and refined carb content. By choosing healthier crust and topping options, controlling portions, and incorporating more nutrient-dense foods into your diet, you can still occasionally enjoy Domino’s pizza without going overboard on calories.
