Quick Answer
The number of calories in a slice of Domino’s pizza can vary depending on the type of crust and toppings, but on average, one slice of a medium Domino’s pizza contains between 220-320 calories. A slice from a thin crust pizza tends to be on the lower end of that range, while deep dish or pan pizzas contain more calories per slice.
Calories by Pizza Type
Here is a breakdown of the approximate calories per slice for different Domino’s pizza varieties:
| Pizza Type | Calories per Slice |
|---|---|
| Hand-Tossed (Medium) | 220-250 |
| Crunchy Thin Crust (Medium) | 200-230 |
| Brooklyn Style (Medium) | 260-290 |
| Handmade Pan (Medium) | 250-280 |
| Deep Dish (Medium) | 300-320 |
As you can see, deep dish pizza contains the most calories per slice due to its thicker, doughier crust. Thin crust varieties like Crunchy Thin Crust have fewer calories because of the thinner, crispier crust.
The number of toppings can also impact the calorie count. A cheese or pepperoni slice will have fewer calories than a slice with extra meats, veggies, and sauces.
Factors That Influence Calories
There are a few key factors that determine how many calories are in a Domino’s pizza slice:
Crust Type
As mentioned above, the type of crust makes a significant difference. Thin crusts lead to lower calorie counts, while thick, doughy crusts like deep dish are higher in calories. The more dough in the crust, the more calories it will contain.
Pizza Size
Larger pizza sizes mean bigger slices. So a slice from a medium pizza will have fewer calories than a slice from a large or extra large.
Number of Toppings
Toppings add extra calories on top of the base pizza. So the more toppings on the pizza, the higher the calories per slice. Going with just cheese or pepperoni will keep calories lower than piling on extra meats, veggies, and sauces.
Cooking Style
Hand-tossed and thin crust pizzas are baked in a standard oven. But deep dish and pan pizzas get an extra dose of fat and calories from being cooked in a pan with oil. The oil adds significant extra calories per slice.
Tips for Ordering a Lower Calorie Slice
Here are some tips for ordering a slice of Domino’s pizza with fewer calories:
– Choose thin crust over deep dish or pan crusts
– Opt for a medium or small pizza over large or extra large
– Ask for light sauce and just one layer of cheese
– Load up on veggie toppings instead of extra meats and cheeses
– Order a cheese or pepperoni slice instead of supreme, meat lovers, etc.
– Avoid dips, butter and garlic seasoning that add extra calories
– Order a salad instead of breadsticks or wings on the side
– Split one pizza with a friend instead of each ordering an individual pizza
– Opt for a gluten free crust to save some calories
Following those guidelines can help you enjoy Domino’s pizza while controlling your calorie intake!
Nutritional Information for Domino’s Pizza
Domino’s provides nutrition information for their pizzas on their website. Here are some key stats for a slice of a medium Domino’s pizza:
Hand-Tossed Cheese Pizza
– Calories: 230
– Total fat: 9g
– Carbs: 28g
– Protein: 11g
Crunchy Thin Crust Pepperoni Pizza
– Calories: 210
– Total fat: 8g
– Carbs: 26g
– Protein: 10g
Deep Dish Cheese Pizza
– Calories: 320
– Total fat: 14g
– Carbs: 33g
– Protein: 15g
As you can see, the deep dish pizza is significantly higher in calories and fat compared to the thin crust, due to the extra dough and thicker crust.
Checking Domino’s website can help you find nutrition information for the specific pizza you plan to order.
Ways to Burn Off Calories from Pizza
Eating pizza doesn’t have to completely derail your healthy diet when you balance it with physical activity. Here are some estimates for how long you’d need to exercise to burn off a slice of pizza:
| Exercise | Minutes to Burn 250 Calories |
|---|---|
| Walking (3.5 mph) | 60 minutes |
| Jogging (5 mph) | 30 minutes |
| Biking (12-14 mph) | 20 minutes |
| Swimming (Freestyle, Moderate Effort) | 35 minutes |
| HIIT Workout | 20-25 minutes |
As you can see, more vigorous exercise like jogging, biking, swimming and HIIT can burn off a slice of pizza in 30 minutes or less. Even going for a brisk 60 minute walk can offset some of the calories.
The key is balancing your pizza indulgence with increased physical activity for the rest of the day. This allows you to eat the foods you enjoy while maintaining a calorie deficit.
Health Impact of Frequent Pizza Consumption
While the occasional slice of pizza can fit into a healthy diet, eating it too frequently can negatively impact your health. Here are some downsides of regular pizza consumption:
Weight Gain
Pizza is high in calories, fat, and sodium, which can all contribute to weight gain over time. The combination of dough, cheese, meat toppings, and oil leads to a high calorie count that quickly adds up with frequent pizza meals.
Heart Health
Most pizza is high in saturated fat and sodium, both of which are linked to increased cholesterol levels and high blood pressure with frequent consumption. The saturated fat and salt contribute to cardiovascular disease risk.
Blood Sugar Spikes
The refined carbohydrates in pizza can cause rapid spikes and crashes in blood sugar levels. The effect is even more pronounced with deep dish and pan pizzas high in fat and carbs. This can increase risk for insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.
Nutritional Deficiencies
Pizza lacks the vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients found in healthier whole foods like fruits, vegetables and lean proteins. Relying too much on pizza can lead to nutritional deficiencies over time.
GI Issues
Greasy foods like pizza are harder to digest and can cause GI symptoms like bloating, heartburn, and discomfort when consumed often. The high fat and sodium contents can exacerbate GI issues.
Moderating pizza intake and balancing it with nutritious foods and exercise can help minimize any adverse health effects. Talk to your doctor about how pizza fits into your overall diet.
Healthier Pizza Options
If you want to still enjoy pizza but make it a bit healthier, here are some tips:
– Choose thin crust instead of deep dish or pan crust
– Opt for a veggie pizza with greens, tomatoes, mushrooms, onions, etc.
– Ask for half the cheese or just a light sprinkling of cheese
– Load up on vegetable toppings instead of fatty meats
– Use pizza as a vessel for healthier toppings like grilled chicken or salmon
– Choose a whole wheat crust for more fiber and nutrients
– Add veggies like spinach, arugula, or broccoli to pizza after baking
– Drizzle olive oil instead of using fatty meats or cream-based sauces
– Select a smaller size pizza instead of a large or extra large
– Accompany your slices with a big salad to increase veggie intake
With some simple tweaks, you can still enjoy the foods you love like pizza while boosting nutrition and reducing calorie density. Moderation and balance is key!
Conclusion
One slice of Domino’s pizza can range from around 220-320 calories depending on the crust type, size, toppings and cooking method. Thin crust pizzas are on the lower end while deep dish is higher in calories. The best way to reduce calories in pizza is to choose thin crusts, load up on veggies, and avoid fatty meats and excessive cheese. Balance out pizza indulgences with nutritious foods, increased activity, and portion control to prevent adverse health effects and keep your diet on track. With some modifications and mindful eating, pizza can still fit into a healthy lifestyle.
