Mellow Mushroom is a popular pizza restaurant chain that originated in Atlanta, Georgia in 1974. The restaurant is known for its eclectic, hippie-inspired decor and wide selection of artisan pizzas. With over 150 locations across the United States, Mellow Mushroom has developed a cult following of pizza lovers.
One thing Mellow Mushroom is especially known for is the generous size of their pizza slices. Their extra-large pizzas are 24 inches wide and cut into 10 massive slices. Each oversized slice is loaded with toppings from edge to edge.
With slices this large, many Mellow Mushroom customers wonder just how many calories are in one slice of their favorite pizza. When you’re faced with a slice the size of your head, it’s understandable to question the calorie count.
In this article, we will investigate the average calories per slice at Mellow Mushroom. We’ll look at calorie counts for different pizza varieties on their menu and what factors influence the calories in a single slice. Read on to learn the answer to “Is Mellow Mushroom calories per slice?”
Calories in Mellow Mushroom’s Pizza
Mellow Mushroom offers pizzas in three different sizes: small (10 inches), medium (14 inches), and extra-large (24 inches). The extra-large is their most popular size. It yields 10 massive slices.
Calories naturally vary based on the exact toppings ordered, but here are some estimates for calories per slice of a plain cheese pizza from Mellow Mushroom:
Small (10″) Cheese Pizza
– Pizza size: 10 inches
– Number of slices: 6
– Calories per pizza: 1,080
– **Calories per slice: 180**
Medium (14″) Cheese Pizza
– Pizza size: 14 inches
– Number of slices: 8
– Calories per pizza: 1,920
– **Calories per slice: 240**
Extra Large (24″) Cheese Pizza
– Pizza size: 24 inches
– Number of slices: 10
– Calories per pizza: 3,500
– **Calories per slice: 350**
As you can see, the calories add up quickly as the pizza gets larger. While a single slice from a small cheese pizza is 180 calories, that jumps all the way up to 350 calories per slice for an extra-large.
The exact calorie count also depends on the thickness of the crust. Mellow Mushroom lets customers choose between thin or thick crust options. Thick crust pizzas will have more dough and therefore more calories per slice.
Factors Affecting Calories per Slice at Mellow Mushroom
Several factors influence the calories in a Mellow Mushroom pizza slice:
1. Pizza toppings
Adding extra meats, cheeses, vegetables and other toppings will increase the calories per slice. For example, here are the calories for an extra-large pepperoni pizza slice compared to cheese:
– Extra-large cheese pizza: 350 calories per slice
– Extra-large pepperoni pizza: 410 calories per slice
Ingredients like pepperoni, sausage, bacon, extra cheese, etc. can quickly add more fat and calories to each slice.
2. Type of crust
As mentioned earlier, Mellow Mushroom offers both thin and thick crust options. Their thick crust has roughly 50% more dough and calories than the thin.
For a medium pizza, thin crust has around 200 calories per slice, while thick crust has 300 calories per slice.
3. Appetizers or drinks
Don’t forget to account for any appetizers or drinks you pair with your pizza! Mellow Mushroom offers wings, salads, hoagies, and craft beers that all have additional calories. An order of 8-10 wings can have over 1,000 calories alone.
4. Leftovers
Mellow Mushroom’s extra-large pizzas often lead to plenty of leftovers. Be mindful of your portion sizes if eating leftover slices the next day. Those calories still count!
Lower Calorie Options at Mellow Mushroom
If you’re looking for lower calorie options at Mellow Mushroom, here are some tips:
– Order a small or medium pizza instead of extra-large
– Choose thin crust over thick crust
– Load up on veggie toppings instead of meats and extra cheese
– Accompany your pizza with a side salad instead of appetizers
– Ask for light sauce and a well-done crust
– Split your pizza with a friend
– Take leftovers home instead of overeating in one sitting
With some modifications, you can still enjoy Mellow Mushroom pizza without going overboard on calories.
Nutrition Information on Mellow Mushroom’s Website
Mellow Mushroom provides nutrition and allergen information for their menu items on their website. You can find details on calories, fat, protein, carbs, fiber, sodium, and more.
They break it down by pizza toppings, crust types, appetizers, salads, and dressings. This makes it easy to see the calorie differences between menu items.
You can access their full nutrition calculator here:
https://mellowmushroom.com/menu/nutritional-information
This breakdown makes it transparent to see where the calories are coming from in each dish. You can use this tool to make informed choices when ordering.
Healthiest Pizza Options at Mellow Mushroom
Based on the nutrition information, these are some of the healthiest pizzas you can order at Mellow Mushroom if watching your calories:
Holy Shiitake Pie Pizza
– Thin crust
– White sauce instead of red sauce
– Loaded with mushrooms, spinach, tomatoes, and mozzerella
– 340 calories per slice
Magical Mystery Tour Pizza
– Thin crust
– Pesto sauce
– Artichokes, spinach, tomatoes, and feta
– 320 calories per slice
Create Your Own Veggie Lover’s Pizza
– Thin crust
– Red or white sauce
– Load up with veggies like mushrooms, peppers, onions, spinach, etc.
– Go easy on the cheese
– Around 300 calories per slice
Sticking to vegetable toppings, reasonable cheese, and thin crust can keep these pizza slices in a manageable calorie range, even for a big extra-large pie.
Does Mellow Mushroom calories per slice fit your diet?
Whether Mellow Mushroom’s 350+ calories per slice fits into your diet or nutrition goals depends on your individual calorie needs.
Here are some general guidelines based on a 2,000 calorie diet:
– Women: If your daily calorie goal is around 1,600-1,800 calories, a 350 calorie pizza slice would account for about 20% of your calories for the day. Eating an entire extra-large pizza for dinner would put you way over your calorie target.
– Men: If your daily calorie goal is around 2,200-2,800 calories, one 350 calorie slice may fit within your limits as part of a balanced diet, especially if you load up on veggies. But consistently eating multiple slices would make it hard to stay under your calorie goal.
– Teen athletes: With higher calorie needs of 2,400-5,000 calories per day, one or two 350 calorie pizza slices could work in your diet depending on your training schedule and other meals. But don’t make it a daily habit.
– Sedentary adults: If your calorie needs are only around 1,600-2,200 per day, a 350 calorie slice would account for a significant chunk of your calories. Split a pizza with friends or take leftovers home.
No matter your diet, everyone should be mindful of portion sizes and nutritional balance when indulging in pizza. Mellow Mushroom makes it convenient to see the impact on your daily calories.
Conclusion
Mellow Mushroom is loved for its generously sized pizza slices, but the large portions also mean higher calories. An extra-large pizza slice can cost you 350-400+ calories depending on toppings. Factors like meat toppings, thick crust, appetizers, and multiple slices can add up quickly.
Pay attention to portion sizes, stick to vegetable toppings, and take leftovers home to control your calorie intake. Thin crust pizzas like the Holy Shiitake Pie or Magical Mystery Tour are healthier options.
Use Mellow Mushroom’s nutrition calculator to make informed menu picks that fit your diet and calorie needs. While an occasional indulgent slice may be fine, it’s best not to make a daily habit out of Mellow Mushroom’s high-calorie slices.
