Quick Answer
A whole pepperoni DIGIORNO pizza contains around 2,000 calories. The exact calorie count can vary slightly depending on the specific type and size of DIGIORNO pepperoni pizza. Most full size pepperoni pizzas from DIGIORNO contain between 1,800-2,200 calories for the entire pizza.
Calories in DIGIORNO Pepperoni Pizza
DIGIORNO offers several different types and sizes of pepperoni pizza. Here is a breakdown of the approximate calories for some of their most popular pepperoni pizza options:
| DIGIORNO Pepperoni Pizza | Calories (whole pizza) |
|---|---|
| Rising Crust Pepperoni Pizza | 2,010 calories |
| Thin Crispy Crust Pepperoni Pizza | 1,800 calories |
| Hand Tossed Style Pepperoni Pizza | 2,100 calories |
| Fire Baked Style Pepperoni Pizza | 2,200 calories |
| Cauliflower Crust Pepperoni Pizza | 1,680 calories |
As you can see, calories range from 1,680 for a cauliflower crust pizza up to 2,200 calories for the fire baked style. But on average, a full pepperoni pizza from DIGIORNO contains around 2,000 calories.
Nutrition Facts for Pepperoni Pizza
What accounts for all those calories in a pepperoni pizza? Here is a breakdown of the nutrition facts in a typical pepperoni pizza:
| Nutrient | Amount | % Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 2,000 | 100% |
| Total Fat | 100g | 123% |
| Saturated Fat | 30g | 150% |
| Trans Fat | 3g | N/A |
| Cholesterol | 75mg | 25% |
| Sodium | 1,500mg | 63% |
| Total Carbohydrates | 210g | 70% |
| Dietary Fiber | 4g | 16% |
| Sugars | 5g | N/A |
| Protein | 60g | N/A |
As you can see, the main sources of calories come from fat and carbohydrates. Pizza is high is calories, fat, saturated fat, sodium, and cholesterol. The protein also contributes a significant number of calories.
Calories from Each Pizza Ingredient
A pepperoni pizza is made up of several high-calorie ingredients. Here is a look at where those calories come from in a typical pepperoni pizza:
- Dough: The pizza dough accounts for about 200-300 calories
- Tomato sauce: The tomato sauce adds around 60-80 calories
- Cheese: A pepperoni pizza is loaded with melted cheese, which provides 400-500 calories
- Pepperoni: The greasy pepperoni contributes about 300-400 calories
- Other toppings: Any other meat toppings or veggies add another 50-100 calories
So just the dough, sauce, cheese, and pepperoni provide about 1,000 calories total. Any additional toppings, along with the cooking oils and fats, take the calories up to around 2,000 for the entire pizza.
Ways To Reduce Calories in Pizza
While pepperoni pizza is high in calories, there are some ways you can adjust the recipe to reduce the calorie count:
- Use a thin crust instead of thick, dense crust
- Choose reduced-fat cheese
- Add more veggie toppings instead of meat
- Use less cheese
- Opt for a smaller pizza size
- Select a cauliflower crust or other low-carb crust
- Avoid adding extra greasy meat toppings like sausage or bacon
- Use lighter sauces instead of full-fat versions
- Add some pineapple or other fruits to cut the grease
Making even small tweaks like using less cheese or more veggies can make a difference in the calories per slice. Going with thin crust and loading up on veggie toppings while avoiding extra fatty meats are some of the best ways to lighten up pizza.
Calorie Needs
Whether or not a whole pepperoni pizza fits into your calorie needs depends on your individual diet and nutrition goals.
The average moderately active woman needs about 2,000 calories per day, while the average moderately active man needs around 2,500 calories. So a whole pepperoni pizza would account for all or nearly all of the average person’s calorie needs for one day.
For very active individuals or athletes with higher caloric needs, a pepperoni pizza may more reasonably fit into their daily intake.
But for the average, sedentary person trying to lose or maintain weight, consuming an entire pepperoni pizza in one sitting would likely result in excess calorie intake. Just a couple slices would be a more appropriate serving.
Health Impact of Pepperoni Pizza Calories
While the occasional pepperoni pizza can be fine, regular consumption of these high calorie, high fat meals can impact your health over time. Some of the potential health consequences of a diet high in pepperoni pizza include:
- Weight gain – The calorie load in just one pizza is enormous and can quickly lead to weight gain if consumed frequently.
- Heart disease – The saturated fat, sodium, and cholesterol in pepperoni pizza raises risk for heart disease.
- High blood pressure – The sodium from the cheese, dough, pepperoni and sauce adds up quickly, raising blood pressure.
- High cholesterol – Pepperoni pizza is loaded with LDL (bad) cholesterol, which clogs arteries.
- Diabetes – Excess calories and carbohydrates in pizza increase risk for insulin resistance and diabetes.
- GI issues – Greasy foods like pizza can cause stomach upset, heartburn, diarrhea in some people.
- Certain cancers – Diets high in processed meats like pepperoni are linked to increased cancer risk.
To prevent negative health effects, pepperoni pizza should be enjoyed in moderation as part of an overall balanced diet, not as a regular meal choice. Consider sharing one pizza between several people rather than eating an entire pizza yourself.
Conclusion
A whole pepperoni pizza from DIGIORNO contains approximately 2,000 calories on average, though the exact amount varies based on the type of crust and toppings. The high calorie count comes from the dough, cheese, pepperoni, sauce, and any additional toppings. While an occasional pizza can be part of a healthy diet, regular consumption of whole pepperoni pizzas can lead to weight gain and other health issues due to the large number of calories, fat, sodium, and cholesterol per pizza. To lighten up this meal, opt for thinner crusts, pile on the veggie toppings, and stick to just one or two slices.
