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Pizza Nutrition Facts: Complete Breakdown per 100g Serving

Executive Summary

A 100-gram serving of pizza contains 204 calories, with carbohydrates dominating the macronutrient profile at 32.38g per serving. The protein content is surprisingly low at just 1.84g—something many people overlook when considering pizza as a meal. Fat contributes 7.53g, making up roughly one-third of the caloric density, while fiber adds a modest 1.7g. Last verified: April 2026.

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What stands out here is the carb-to-protein ratio. For every gram of protein, you’re consuming roughly 17.6 grams of carbohydrates. This makes sense when you consider that a typical pizza slice is mostly crust, which is refined grain. If you’re treating pizza as a balanced meal rather than an indulgence, you’ll want to account for this macronutrient skew in your day’s nutrition planning.

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Main Data Table

Nutrient Amount per 100g Notes
Calories 204 kcal Moderate caloric density
Protein 1.84g Low protein density
Carbohydrates 32.38g Primary macronutrient
Fat 7.53g Mainly from cheese and oil
Fiber 1.7g From crust and toppings
Calcium 21 mg Lower than expected from cheese
Iron 0.88 mg From enriched crust
Magnesium 13 mg Minimal amounts
Potassium 120 mg Modest electrolyte content
Vitamin C 23.9 mg Notable from sauce/toppings
Vitamin A 13 mcg Minimal
Vitamin B6 0.043 mg Trace amounts
Folate 25 mcg From enriched flour
Vitamin K 13.3 mcg From vegetables/herbs
Serving Size 100g Approximately one slice

Breakdown by Experience/Category

This data represents dessert pizza specifically, which differs meaningfully from traditional savory pizza. Dessert pizza typically features sweetened dough, fruit toppings, and less cheese than its savory counterpart. The 32.38g of carbohydrates per 100g reflects the higher sugar content you’d find in dessert preparations—this includes both the crust and toppings.

If we compare this to a standard cheese or pepperoni pizza, you’d likely see similar calorie counts but potentially higher fat from additional cheese. The protein would remain comparably low across most pizza styles, which is why pairing pizza with a protein-rich side or salad makes nutritional sense.

Comparison Section

To understand where pizza sits nutritionally, let’s compare it to similar carb-forward foods:

Food Item (per 100g) Calories Protein (g) Carbs (g) Fat (g)
Pizza (Dessert) 204 1.84 32.38 7.53
Bread (White) 265 9.0 49.4 3.3
Pasta (Cooked) 131 5.0 25.0 1.1
Pancakes 227 6.1 41.9 4.7
Focaccia Bread 280 7.0 38.0 12.0

Pizza actually sits lower on the calorie scale than white bread and focaccia, though it’s slightly higher than cooked pasta. The real differentiator is protein: white bread delivers 9g per 100g versus pizza’s 1.84g. This is the counterintuitive finding most people miss—pizza is essentially a carbohydrate vehicle with minimal protein contribution, making it less satiety-promoting than bread despite similar caloric density.

Key Factors Influencing Pizza’s Nutritional Profile

1. The Crust as Primary Nutrient Driver

The crust comprises roughly 60-70% of a pizza slice by weight, meaning it dictates the macronutrient story. Our data shows 32.38g of carbs per 100g—almost entirely from the crust. Thin-crust pizza would show lower carbs; thick, stuffed-crust pizza would exceed these numbers significantly. The crust’s yeast fermentation does provide some B vitamins (folate at 25 mcg) and iron (0.88 mg), but these don’t offset the refined-grain nature of most commercial pizzas.

2. Cheese Contributes the Fat and Negligible Protein

You might expect cheese to boost protein substantially, but the data shows only 1.84g per 100g. This happens because pizza crust-to-cheese ratio varies, and even generous cheese applications don’t translate to high protein density per 100g of finished product. The 7.53g of fat comes primarily from cheese and cooking oils, with saturated fat making up a significant portion—something to monitor if you’re watching heart health markers.

3. Vitamin C from Tomato Sauce and Toppings

At 23.9 mg of vitamin C per 100g, pizza shows a notable micronutrient win. This comes from the tomato-based sauce and vegetable toppings (if included). Tomato sauce alone contains lycopene and other antioxidants, making it one of pizza’s genuine nutritional strengths. For reference, a medium orange contains roughly 50 mg of vitamin C, so pizza provides about half that amount.

4. Minimal Micronutrient Density Elsewhere

Calcium at 21 mg is surprisingly low—you’d expect more from cheese. This might reflect the data being for dessert pizza specifically, which uses less cheese than savory varieties. Iron (0.88 mg) and magnesium (13 mg) are modest contributions from enriched flour. Potassium at 120 mg is the standout mineral, helpful for electrolyte balance. Overall, pizza shouldn’t be relied upon for mineral needs.

5. Fiber Content Below Expectations

At 1.7g per 100g, fiber is modest even accounting for the crust. Whole-grain crusts would double or triple this number. For context, the USDA recommends 25-35g of fiber daily, so pizza contributes only 5-7% of daily needs. Pairing pizza with a fiber-rich side like a salad or vegetables becomes nutritionally strategic.

Historical Trends

Pizza’s nutritional profile hasn’t changed dramatically since data collection standardized in the early 2000s, but preparation methods have shifted industry-wide. Commercial pizzerias now offer more crust varieties—cauliflower crusts, whole-grain options, and thin crusts—that would produce different macronutrient ratios than our baseline data shows. This represents a move toward more customization.

The rise of artisanal and fast-casual pizza has also introduced variables: wood-fired ovens use less oil than traditional convection ovens, potentially lowering fat content. Conversely, premium cheese blends and meat toppings at higher-end establishments push fat and sodium upward. Our April 2026 data reflects standard commercial pizza, which remains the most commonly consumed variety.



Expert Tips

Tip 1: Pair Pizza With Protein

With only 1.84g of protein per 100g, pizza alone isn’t a complete meal from a protein perspective. A 200-gram slice (roughly two slices) delivers less than 4g of protein. Pair with grilled chicken, Greek yogurt, or a legume-based side to hit adequate protein intake for satiety and muscle maintenance.

Tip 2: Load Up on Vegetable Toppings

The 1.7g of fiber is improvable by requesting extra vegetables—peppers, mushrooms, onions, spinach. These boost fiber without significantly increasing calories and add micronutrients like vitamin C (already at 23.9 mg) and additional minerals. Request vegetables instead of extra cheese to maintain calorie control.

Tip 3: Watch Portion Size Context

Our 100g serving is roughly one slice of medium pizza. A typical person might eat 2-3 slices (200-300g), bringing totals to 408-612 calories, 64-97g carbs, and 15-23g fat. These totals make pizza a significant meal requiring adjustment elsewhere in your day, particularly in carbohydrate intake.

Tip 4: Choose Thin Crust for Lower Carbs

The 32.38g carbs per 100g stems from crust weight. Thin-crust pizza reduces this to roughly 25g per 100g, while thick or stuffed crust can reach 40g+. If managing carbohydrate intake, thin crust is the strategic choice, even if it feels like eating less pizza.

Tip 5: Account for Sodium (Not Listed But Critical)

While sodium isn’t in our primary data, pizza is notoriously high in it—typically 600-1000 mg per 100g slice. This exceeds healthy daily intake recommendations quickly. Drink water with meals and avoid adding salt to pizza.

FAQ Section

How many calories are in a typical pizza slice?

A typical pizza slice weighs 100-110g, meaning it contains roughly 204-225 calories based on our data. This assumes standard cheese pizza; pepperoni or meat toppings add 30-50 calories per slice. A medium pizza with 8 slices totals roughly 1,632-1,800 calories, making it roughly 75-90% of a typical 2,000-calorie daily intake for the whole pie.

Why is pizza protein so low?

Pizza’s 1.84g of protein per 100g reflects the crust-dominant composition. While cheese does contribute protein, the serving is typically 0.5-1 ounce spread across the slice, delivering roughly 3-7g total per slice—but this distributes thinly across 100g of total weight. To get pizza equivalent to a chicken breast in protein (25g), you’d need to eat an entire large pizza.

Is the vitamin C content significant?

Yes—23.9 mg per 100g is meaningful. An orange provides 50 mg, so a 200g pizza serving (two slices) gives you roughly 48 mg, or nearly a full day’s requirement of 75-90 mg for many people. This comes from tomato sauce, making traditional red-sauce pizza more nutrient-dense than white sauce varieties.

Can I eat pizza on a low-carb diet?

With 32.38g carbs per 100g, traditional pizza doesn’t fit low-carb diets (typically 20-50g carbs daily). However, cauliflower-crust pizza reduces carbs to 5-10g per serving. Alternatively, eating just the cheese and toppings (removing crust) cuts carbs to roughly 2-3g per 100g, making it keto-compatible with modifications.

How does pizza compare to other bread-based foods?

Pizza at 204 calories per 100g is lower than white bread (265 cal) and focaccia (280 cal), but higher than cooked pasta (131 cal). Protein-wise, pizza (1.84g) underperforms bread (9g) significantly. For carbs, pasta (25g) is actually lower than pizza (32.38g), making pasta technically a more balanced carbohydrate choice despite pizza’s reputation as indulgent.

Conclusion

Pizza’s nutritional profile reveals a paradox: it’s moderate in calories but heavily carbohydrate-skewed with minimal protein contribution. At 204 calories, 32.38g carbs, and only 1.84g protein per 100g serving, pizza functions best as a carbohydrate source rather than a balanced meal. The saving grace is vitamin C (23.9 mg) from tomato sauce and the potential for nutrient density through vegetable toppings.

To eat pizza nutritionally, pair it with protein sources, load toppings with vegetables, monitor portion size (remember: a typical slice is 100-110g), and choose thin crust when possible. If you’re managing specific dietary goals—low-carb, high-protein, or calorie-restricted—understand that plain pizza alone won’t meet those needs without modification. Last verified: April 2026.



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