Pizza is a popular food that is enjoyed by many as both a snack and a meal. Meat lover’s pizza in particular is known for being high in protein, but also high in calories and fat due to the generous amounts of meat toppings. If you are watching your calorie intake, it’s important to understand how many calories are in each slice of meat lover’s pizza.
Quick Answer
On average, two slices of meat lover’s pizza contain 500-800 calories. The exact amount of calories depends on the size of the pizza slice, type of crust, and quantity and type of meat toppings.
Calculating Calories in Pizza
There are a few factors that determine the calorie content of pizza:
- Crust – Thin crust generally has fewer calories than thick, deep dish crusts. Hand-tossed crusts fall somewhere in the middle.
- Slice size – The larger the slice, the more calories it will have.
- Cheese – Pizza is topped with high-calorie cheese like mozzarella. More cheese means more calories.
- Meat toppings – Sausage, pepperoni, bacon, ham all add a significant amount of calories.
- Veggie toppings – Onions, mushrooms, peppers provide calories, but fewer than meat.
- Sauce – Tomato-based sauces have minimal calories compared to white sauces.
To get a more specific estimation, it’s best to look up the nutrition information for the exact type of pizza you are eating. Chain restaurants like Pizza Hut or Domino’s publish calorie counts for their pizzas online.
Average Calories in Meat Lover’s Pizza Slices
Here are some estimates for calories in two slices of meat lover’s pizza from three major pizza chains:
| Pizza Chain | 2 Slices (1/4 large pizza) |
|---|---|
| Pizza Hut | 500-600 calories |
| Domino’s | 630-710 calories |
| Papa John’s | 660-800 calories |
As you can see, even just two slices of meat lover’s pizza can contain 500-800 calories. Consuming an entire large pie would add up to well over 1000 calories.
Factors that Increase Calories in Meat Lover’s Pizza
Certain factors can increase the calorie content in meat lover’s pizza slices:
- Extra meat toppings – Adding more types of meat like bacon or ham in addition to sausage and pepperoni tacks on more calories.
- Deep dish crust – The thicker, doughier crust used in deep dish pizzas has more calories than thin crust.
- Stuffed crust – Pizza Hut’s popular stuffed crust with cheese in the crust edges adds calories.
- Extra cheese – Requesting extra cheese or a double layer of cheese increases the calories.
- Ranch dressing – Dipping crusts or pizza slices in high-fat ranch dressing boosts calorie intake.
- Large slices – Bigger slices from a larger pizza diameter means more calories per slice.
Tips for Lower Calorie Meat Lover’s Pizza
You can still enjoy meat lover’s pizza while limiting calories by following these tips:
- Order thin crust instead of deep dish or pan crust.
- Choose a small or medium pizza over large.
- Request light cheese rather than extra cheese.
- Load up on veggie toppings like mushrooms, onions, and peppers.
- Opt for marinara sauce instead of white sauce.
- Eat just one slice instead of two or more.
- Split a pizza with others instead of eating a whole pie yourself.
Healthiest Options for Meat Lover’s Pizza
To make meat lover’s pizza even healthier, you can:
- Choose a cauliflower crust, which saves calories and carbs compared to regular crust.
- Load up on vegetables like spinach, tomatoes, and broccoli as toppings.
- Opt for turkey pepperoni instead of pork or beef pepperoni.
- Use part-skim mozzarella instead of full-fat mozzarella cheese.
- Replace half the meat toppings with sautéed mushrooms or grilled chicken.
While meat lover’s pizza tends to be higher in fat and calories, there are ways to still enjoy it in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
Nutritional Profile of Meat Lover’s Pizza
Here is the nutritional profile for two slices (1/4 of a large pizza) of meat lover’s pizza from Pizza Hut:
| Nutrient | Amount | % Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 580 | 29% |
| Fat | 27g | 42% |
| Saturated Fat | 12g | 60% |
| Trans Fat | 0.5g | |
| Cholesterol | 85mg | 28% |
| Sodium | 990mg | 42% |
| Carbohydrates | 49g | 16% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 3g | |
| Protein | 32g |
As you can see from the nutritional information, two slices of meat lover’s pizza supply nearly a full day’s worth of saturated fat and sodium. It is also high in cholesterol and total fat. The protein content is a plus, but overall this pizza choice should be enjoyed in moderation as an occasional treat.
Health Risks of Regularly Eating Meat Lover’s Pizza
Consuming meat lover’s pizza on a regular basis can potentially increase risk for:
- Weight gain – The high number of calories, fat, and sodium can easily lead to added pounds, especially if large portions are eaten frequently.
- High cholesterol – The cheese, meat toppings, and often fatty crust are major sources of cholesterol-raising saturated fat.
- High blood pressure – Excess sodium intake from the salt in the meats, cheese, and dough can increase blood pressure.
- Heart disease – The saturated fat, sodium, cholesterol, and calories are all threats to heart health in the long run.
- Type 2 diabetes – Frequent spikes in blood sugar from carb-heavy pizza paired with weight gain raise diabetes risk.
To reduce these risks, meat lover’s pizza should be limited to an occasional indulgence. Focus on more balanced meals centered around vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, and whole grains.
Healthier Pizza Alternatives
For a healthier pizza night, consider these lower calorie options:
- Veggie pizza – Load up the pizza with mushrooms, onions, peppers, spinach, and tomato slices instead of fatty meats.
- Chicken and vegetable pizza – Top with grilled chicken, artichokes, roasted red peppers, and broccoli.
- Margherita pizza – Fresh tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella make a lighter pizza.
- White pizza – An olive oil and garlic base with spinach, tomatoes, and chicken or shrimp is lower fat.
- BBQ chicken pizza – Grilled chicken, onions, and barbecue sauce is flavorful but fewer calories.
Thin crust pizzas loaded with vegetables and lean proteins can satisfy a pizza craving while providing more nutrition and less guilt.
Conclusion
Two slices of meat lover’s pizza can cost you 500-800 calories, with nearly a full day’s worth of fat, sodium, and cholesterol. While OK for an occasional treat, making meat lover’s pizza a regular habit can lead to weight gain, heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes. To make pizza night healthier, load up on vegetable toppings, choose lean meats like chicken, opt for thin crusts, and limit portions. With some simple tweaks, you can still enjoy pizza without all the extra calories.