There aren't many foods that are as universally loved as pizza. From even the pickiest kiddos to those living in their golden years, you will be hard-pressed to find a person who doesn't get a smile on their face when they are offered a slice (or two).
Pizza is a dish of Italian origin; the city of Naples is considered its birthplace. To make pizza, a flat, round base of dough is topped with sauce and toppings, and then baked. Traditionally, pizza is topped with a tomato-based sauce and cheese, but this can vary. Depending on people's preferences, pizza can also be topped with vegetables and/or meats, like pepperoni and sausage. Since its inception, this beloved Italian staple has become such a popular food that, by some estimates, a whopping 3 billion pizzas are consumed in the U.S. annually, per 2015 stats published in The Week. That's a lot of pizza!
While you may be 100% clear on whether pizza is delicious or not (it is, by the way), you may not be totally sure if it is healthy. As a dietitian, I am thrilled to share some details about the nutritional composition of this popular dish so you can have a better idea of whether it should be consumed as a once-in-a-while dish or if it should be a mainstay on your plate.
Pictured Recipe: Easy Vegan Pizza
Pizza Nutrition Facts
What was once a straightforward dish that didn't have a recipe that varied, pizza is now served in different ways, with some being more nutritious than others. Here are the nutrition facts of three varieties of pizzas:
| Nutrient | 1 slice (100 g) of a 12" Pizza Hut Cheese Pizza, USDA | 1 slice (184 g) of frozen DiGiorno Cheese Pizza (1/4 of pie), USDA | 1 serving (167 g) of Margheritacauliflower crustpizza (1/2 of pie), Great Value, USDA |
| Calories | 280 | 468 | 371 |
| Total Carbohydrates | 30 g | 58 g | 38 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 2 g | 4 g | 4 g |
| Total Sugars | 3 g | 9 g | 3 g |
| Protein | 12 g | 23 g | 13 g |
| Total Fat | 13 g | 16 g | 18 g |
| Saturated Fat | 5 g | 6 g | 7 g |
| Sodium | 624 mg | 1,270 mg | 710 mg |
| Calcium | 208 mg | 351 mg | 351 mg |
Is Pizza Healthy?
Depending on how you are enjoying your 'za, it can be a part of a healthy and balanced diet—with a few caveats. While having a single slice along with a green salad or other veggies will fuel your body with nutrients without overwhelming it with excessive quantities of calories, carbs and sodium, eating an entire pizza topped with cured meats is an entirely different story. Assuming you are sticking to proper portion sizes, here are some effects you may see.
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Benefits of Pizza
It Is a Source of Key Nutrients
Thanks to the ingredients used to make pizza, it is packed with important nutrients that we all need to thrive, including protein, B vitamins, calcium and iron. And if you are opting for veggies as a topping, you can get a boost of fiber as well. Choosing a cauliflower or whole-grain crust as your pizza base can provide additional fiber, protein and micronutrients, depending on the variety you opt for.
It May Provide a Serving of Vegetables
If your slice of pizza is made with 2 tablespoons of tomato paste, eating it "counts" as a vegetable serving, according to the Department of Agriculture. And since only 10% of Americans are eating the recommended servings of vegetables every day, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, utilizing any way to include more veggies in a diet is certainly a positive thing.
It May Support Your Bone Health
Calcium is one of the most important nutrients that support bone health, per a 2020 article in MedComm. And since many pizzas are made with dairy cheese, pizza may be a source of this bone health-supporting nutrient. Pizza also contains other nutrients that support bone health as well, like zinc and magnesium.
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Potential Downsides
It Can Be High in Sodium
Depending on the pizza you choose, it can be high in sodium. The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends adults limit sodium intake to less than 2,300 mg per day. Yet, some pizzas provide over 1,000 mg of this mineral per serving, providing close to half of what a person should be consuming in an entire day. Consuming too much sodium consistently may increase a person's risk of experiencing high blood pressure, per the Food and Drug Administration.
It May Increase Your Blood Sugar Levels
Depending on the crust used to make your pizza, the serving size of your slice and the quantity of protein- and fat-containing toppings that are used, enjoying pizza may result in elevated blood sugars.
Pizza contains carbohydrates, and eating carbohydrates, mainly refined carbs, may cause a blood sugar spike quickly, especially for those who have diabetes. But, eating one slice of pizza that is made with cheese and fiber-rich toppings like onion and peppers, and enjoyed with a fiber-rich side salad, can be a reasonable meal for people who are concerned about their blood glucose levels. Opting for a cauliflower- or chickpea-based crust can be another option that may be blood-sugar-friendly for some people as well. Of course, every person has different needs, so finding the best pizza balance for blood glucose support may require some trial and error.
It Might Not Support Your Weight-Loss Goals
One or two slices of pizza can fit into a nutritious, balanced meal. But eating pizza to the point that you are overly stuffed can result in you consuming way too many calories, which may contribute to weight gain over time. One 14-inch pizza can have over 2,000 calories, which is around the amount of calories a person should be consuming in an entire day.
How to Make Pizza More Nutritious
Pizza's nutritional value can vary widely, depending on a variety of factors. If you are a pizza lover and you want to make sure you are eating pizza in the most nutritious way, here are some ideas to consider:
- Opt for a thin-crust pizza instead of a deep-dish.
- Skip the stuffed pizza crusts and dipping sauces.
- Enjoy your slice of pizza with a side salad or cooked vegetables.
- Top your pizza with lean protein, like chicken strips, instead of processed meat, like pepperoni.
- Choose vegetables or fruit (hello, pineapple!) as flavorful toppings.
- Try cauliflower- or chickpea-crust pizza for more fiber.
- If you like classic crust, try using whole-grain dough instead of white.
The Bottom Line
If you think you can't have a slice of pizza when focused on supporting your health, think twice! Sure, downing an entire pepperoni pie in one sitting is not the healthiest practice. But a slice of veggie pizza accompanied by a crisp green salad can absolutely be a part of many people's nutritious and balanced diet. Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule, so always make sure pizza is appropriate for your needs with your health care provider. Most people who are pizza lovers can feel free to celebrate this great news with a piping hot slice of 'za and enjoy every single bite.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is pizza an unhealthy food?
If a reasonable serving size is enjoyed, pizza can be a healthy part of a balanced diet. Enjoy your pizza with a side salad and skip the ultra-processed toppings to give your meal a nutritional boost.
Is it OK to eat pizza once a week?
Pizza can absolutely be enjoyed once a week. Just be sure to stick to an appropriate serving size and enjoy your slice with some vegetables and, perhaps, some additional protein.
Do two slices of pizza sabotage your weight?
There is no one food that will sabotage your weight. It is best to look at whether your overall diet is balanced. Two slices of pizza can be appropriate for many people, depending on their current weight, activity level and other factors.
What's the healthiest pizza to eat?
There are plenty of pizza choices that can be considered healthy. Some options that can easily fit into a nutritious and balanced diet include a thin-crust pizza and a cauliflower-crust pizza. Topping choices on the more nutritious side are vegetables, chicken, shrimp and cheese.
Is pizza healthier than burgers?
Both pizza and burgers can be made in very healthy ways. But there are variations that can make them quite high in saturated fat, sodium, added sugars and more. For example, a burger made with lean beef and served on a whole-grain bun is a nutritious meal. But a triple-patty burger topped with bacon, specialty sauces and other high-fat additions will provide excessive quantities of calories, saturated fat and sodium. Ultimately, both pizza and burgers can be healthy, depending on how they are prepared and how much you eat.
Is pizza OK for weight loss?
Pizza is not only OK for weight loss but can also be weight-loss-friendly. Depriving yourself of your favorite foods is not recommended when you are on a weight-loss journey. Enjoying foods like pizza in moderation as a part of an overall balanced and healthy diet is a better way to focus on your weight-management goals.
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