How many calories in a whole digiorno Pepperoni pizza?

Pizza is a beloved food for many people. The combination of dough, sauce, cheese, and toppings creates a delicious meal or snack. However, pizza can also be high in calories, especially chain delivery pizzas or frozen varieties. Understanding the calorie content of your favorite pizza can help you make informed choices to balance this treat in your diet.

An Overview of Digiorno Pizza

Digiorno is a popular brand of frozen pizza owned by Nestle. Digiorno offers a range of crust types and topping options. One of their most popular varieties is the Rising Crust Pepperoni Pizza.

This pizza features Digiorno’s signature rising crust, tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, and pepperoni. It’s a convenient option for a quick weeknight meal or fun weekend snack. But how many calories are actually in one of these frozen pizzas?

Serving Size Details

To determine the calories in a DiGiorno pepperoni pizza, we first need to look at the serving size details:

  • The full pizza is 12 inches in diameter
  • The crust is a rising crust style
  • 1/6 of the pizza is considered one serving

With this information, we can calculate the total calories both per serving and for the entire pizza.

Calories Per Serving

According to DiGiorno, the calorie count for 1/6 of a Rising Crust Pepperoni Pizza is:

  • Calories: 320
  • Total Fat: 14g
  • Saturated Fat: 6g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Cholesterol: 25mg
  • Sodium: 690mg
  • Total Carbohydrates: 33g
  • Dietary Fiber: 2g
  • Sugars: 3g
  • Protein: 15g

As you can see, one serving of Digiorno pepperoni pizza contains 320 calories. It also contains a significant amount of fat, cholesterol, and sodium. The protein and fiber content help somewhat to balance the nutritional profile.

Total Calories in Full Pizza

To determine the total calories in the full 12-inch pepperoni pizza, we need to multiply the per serving calories by the total number of servings (6):

Calories per serving: 320

Total servings: 6

Total calories = Calories per serving x Total servings

Therefore:

Total calories = 320 x 6 = 1,920 calories

So for the entire 12-inch DiGiorno Rising Crust Pepperoni Pizza there are 1,920 total calories.

Comparing Digiorno to Other Pizza Chains

How does this compare to pizzas from some national delivery chains? Here is a calorie comparison of a pepperoni pizza from various popular pizza places (based on 1 slice):

Pizza Place Calories Per Slice
Digiorno Rising Crust 320
Pizza Hut Thin N Crispy 370
Domino’s Hand Tossed 285
Papa John’s Original Crust 260

As you can see, Digiorno pepperoni pizza has comparable calories per slice versus delivery chains. Pizza Hut is a bit higher while Papa John’s is a bit lower. So Digiorno’s calories are very average.

Ways to Reduce the Calories in Digiorno Pizza

While Digiorno pepperoni pizza clocks in at a hefty 1,920 calories for the whole thing, there are some tricks you can use to reduce the calorie count:

  • Eat fewer slices – Stick to just 1-2 slices instead of 3-4 to cut calories in half or more.
  • Add veggie toppings – Top with extra veggies like mushrooms, onions, peppers to bulk it up.
  • Opt for vegetable crust – Some Digiorno pizzas come with cauliflower or broccoli crust to slash carbs.
  • Build your own pizza – Make it yourself and control calories with lighter cheese, lean meats, etc.
  • Slice thin crust – Thin crust has fewer dough calories than rising or deep dish.

With some preparation strategies, you can still enjoy Digiorno pizza while keeping your calorie intake in check.

Nutrition Benefits of Pizza Ingredients

While pizza is high in fat, carbs, and calories, it does provide some nutritional benefits from its ingredients:

  • Tomato sauce – Provides lycopene, an antioxidant. Also contains vitamin C and potassium.
  • Cheese – Supplies protein, calcium, vitamin A, and other nutrients. Go for part-skim mozzarella.
  • Dough – Crust contributes B vitamins, iron, and fiber (especially whole grain crust).
  • Pepperoni – Adds protein and iron, as well as some calcium and vitamin B12.
  • Veggies – Toppings like mushrooms, onions, and peppers boost fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

So while pizza is a high calorie indulgence, it does provide a dose of several beneficial nutrients. This is especially true if you load up your pizza with veggie toppings.

Tips for Healthy Pizza Eating

Here are some tips to keep in mind for healthy pizza eating:

  • Choose thin crust instead of deep dish or rising crust
  • Opt for vegetable or cauliflower crust when available
  • Load up the veggies – the more the better
  • Stick to one or two slices instead of half a pizza
  • Avoid high-fat meats like sausage, bacon, or extra cheese
  • Add side salad for added nutrition without extra calories
  • Split pizza with a friend or save leftovers for later
  • Make pizza at home to control ingredients and portions

Being mindful of portions, upping the veggie content, and choosing healthier crust options can all help keep pizza a tasty treat in your healthy eating plan.

Healthy Homemade Pizza Options

For the ultimate nutrition, consider making a homemade pizza from scratch. This allows you to control the ingredients and keep calories in check. Here are some healthy homemade pizza ideas:

Veggie Lover’s Pizza

  • Whole wheat crust
  • Marinara or pesto sauce
  • Part-skim mozzarella cheese
  • Chopped vegetables like mushrooms, peppers, onions, spinach, broccoli, etc.

Margherita Pizza

  • Cauliflower crust or thin whole wheat crust
  • Tomato sauce
  • Fresh mozzarella pearls
  • Sliced tomatoes
  • Fresh basil

BBQ Chicken Pizza

  • Whole wheat tortilla crust
  • BBQ sauce
  • Cooked chicken breast, chopped
  • Red onion, diced
  • Reduced-fat cheddar or mozzarella

There are so many options for creating a homemade pizza that fits your health goals. Be creative with the crusts, sauces, cheeses and veggie toppings.

Should You Eat Pizza on a Diet?

Many people wonder if pizza should be completely off-limits while dieting. The answer isn’t so black and white.

While pizza can be high in fat, carbs and calories, it can be worked into a reduced calorie diet in moderation. The key is controlling portions, upping the nutritional value with veggie toppings, and avoiding overindulging.

Saving your pizza servings for a weekly treat or special occasion meal may be a good approach on a diet. Pair it with a side salad and avoid eating pizza mindlessly in front of the TV.

Practice portion control, and stop after 1-2 slices. Choose thin crust options and load up the vegetables. This way you can still satisfy an occasional pizza craving. And consider making a homemade pizza using healthier ingredients.

So an occasional slice of pizza can definitely be part of an overall healthy diet when eaten in moderation and balanced with nutritious foods.

The Best Ways to Warm up Leftover Pizza

Leftover pizza can make for an easy meal the next day. But what’s the best way to reheat that leftover slice to crispy perfection?

Here are some top reheating methods:

  • Oven – Best for reheating a whole leftover pizza. Preheat oven to 375F and warm until hot, 5-10 minutes.
  • Skillet – Place slice in a skillet over medium heat. Cover to retain moisture.
  • Microwave – Zap slice for 30-60 seconds. Add a cup of water to prevent drying out.
  • Toaster oven – Great for warming 1-2 slices. Use toast function setting.
  • Air fryer – Gives crispy texture. Air fry at 350F for 5-7 minutes.

Be careful not to overheat and dry out the pizza. Watch it closely so cheese doesn’t burn. With the right reheating method, leftover pizza can taste nearly as good as fresh.

Storing Leftover Pizza

To safely store leftover pizza:

  • Let pizza cool completely before storing.
  • Wrap tightly in foil or plastic wrap to prevent drying out.
  • Store in fridge for 3-4 days maximum.
  • Reheat fully until steaming hot before eating.
  • Do not freeze pizza with toppings, as this ruins texture.
  • Freeze extra plain cheese pizza for up to 2 months.

With proper storage and reheating, leftover pizza can be safe to eat and nearly as delicious as it was originally. Just be diligent about refrigeration and thoroughly cooking before consuming.

Conclusion

So how many calories are in a Digiorno pepperoni pizza? A full 12-inch pizza contains about 1,920 calories. Per slice, that equals around 320 calories, which is fairly average compared to delivery pizzas.

While pizza can be high in fat, carbs, and calories, it can fit into a balanced diet when consumed in moderation. Load up on the veggies, choose healthier crusts, and limit portions to keep calories in check.

An occasional slice of pizza can be part of an overall healthy lifestyle. Be mindful of servings, thoughtful about toppings, and prudent with leftovers. Use these tips to satisfy your pizza cravings without sabotaging your diet goals.

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