Kamil Perry
Pizza is a beloved food worldwide, with one in eight Americans eating it on any given day. But how many points is a slice of cheese pizza? The answer depends on several factors, including crust thickness, pie size, and toppings. Weight Watchers, also known as WW, assigns points, or SmartPoints, to foods based on calories, sugar, saturated fat, and protein content. A slice of cheese pizza typically ranges from 6 to 16 SmartPoints, with the average being around 12 points. A regular slice with a medium crust from a local pizzeria is worth 9 SmartPoints, while a thick-crust slice can total 10 SmartPoints. If you're craving pizza while following the Weight Watchers program, opting for thin crust, limiting yourself to one slice, and choosing lean protein toppings can help reduce the SmartPoints value of your meal.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of points | 5-16 |
| Calories | 220-700 |
| Saturated fat | 3.5 grams |
| Sodium | 450 milligrams |
| Nutritional values | Calories, saturated fat, protein, and sugar |
| Type of crust | Thick, thin, medium, deep dish |
| Toppings | Chicken breast, pepperoni, sausage, bacon, vegetables |
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What You'll Learn
Weight Watchers points for a slice of cheese pizza
The number of Weight Watchers points in a slice of cheese pizza varies depending on the crust thickness, pie size, and toppings. According to the Weight Watchers cheat sheet, a "regular" slice of cheese pizza with a medium crust from a typical pizza parlor has nine SmartPoints. However, the points can range from five to 16 per slice if you include different toppings and crust options. For example, a slice of New York-style pizza is equivalent to more than two regular slices, which can significantly impact the point value.
To reduce the SmartPoints value of your cheese pizza, consider choosing a thin crust option and adding vegetables as toppings. Lean protein sources, such as skinless chicken breast, can also help lower the points compared to high-calorie and high-fat toppings like pepperoni and sausage. Additionally, making your own pizza at home with a Weight Watchers-friendly recipe can be a great way to enjoy pizza while saving points. These recipes typically use ingredients like Greek yogurt and self-rising flour for the dough, resulting in a lower-point slice of pizza.
When it comes to store-bought options, the Smart Ones frozen pizza from Weight Watchers is available at some grocery stores for 13 SmartPoints. However, it's important to note that pizza from chain restaurants like Domino's, Pizza Hut, or Papa John's can be high in points and may hinder your weight loss efforts.
While enjoying a slice of cheese pizza, be mindful of portion sizes. Eating two slices of pizza can consume a significant portion of your daily energy needs, so it's important to balance your intake with healthier options. Remember, Weight Watchers encourages a flexible approach, allowing you to include pizza in your diet while making smart choices to stay within your Points® Budget.
In summary, the number of Weight Watchers points in a slice of cheese pizza can vary widely depending on the specific crust, size, and toppings. By making strategic choices and opting for healthier alternatives, you can enjoy pizza while staying on track with your wellness goals.
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Calories, saturated fat, protein, and sugar
The calorie count of a slice of cheese pizza depends on the type of pizza and its method of preparation. For instance, a small slice (around 1/8th) of a generic cheese pizza amounts to about 200 calories, whereas a typical slice from a chain like Pizza Hut can contain up to 300 calories. Blotting the pizza can reduce the calorie count by around 35 calories per slice.
Pizza also contains saturated fat, mainly from the cheese, typically cheddar and mozzarella, used in its preparation. These types of cheese can contain high amounts of saturated fat and salt.
Pizza provides a source of protein, again mainly from the cheese, as well as from any chicken, meat, or fish toppings. Protein is beneficial for maintaining lean muscle mass and optimal growth.
Finally, while sugar content information is not readily available, each slice of pizza contains around 35.6 grams of carbohydrates.
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Crust thickness and type
The number of points in a slice of pizza depends on the crust thickness and type. For instance, a slice of regular cheese pizza with a medium crust from a typical pizza parlor is worth nine points. Substituting a thin crust for a medium crust can reduce the points by eight. A slice of thick-crust cheese pizza, on the other hand, is worth ten points.
Different types of pizza crusts offer distinct experiences. Thin crusts are usually crispy and delicate, while thick crusts provide a heartier and more filling bite with a chewy texture. The thickness of the crust can also impact the number of toppings that can be added. Thick crusts, such as Chicago-style deep-dish and Sicilian-style pizzas, can hold more toppings due to their denser dough. This results in a higher calorie count per slice, making them an occasional treat for those watching their calorie intake.
New York-style pizza, a thin-crust variety, is known for its crisp exterior and chewy interior. It is often served in wide wedges and can be folded in half for easy eating. Brooklyn-style pizza is similar but tends to be crispier and enjoyed in larger slices. St. Louis-style pizza features a thin, unleavened, cracker-like crust that can handle the weight of multiple types of cheese. Boardwalk-style pizzas, originating from New Jersey, are another type of thin-crust pizza served with a sweet sauce and liberal amounts of mozzarella and cheddar cheese.
On the other hand, Detroit-style pizza has a medium-well-done, near-fried chewy texture achieved by using a well-oiled pan. Chicago-style deep-dish pizza, a thick-crust variety, is baked in an oiled deep-dish pan, resulting in a crispy, fried effect on the outside of the crust. It often includes cornmeal or semolina flour, giving it a yellow tone and a unique taste and texture.
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Toppings
The number of points in a slice of cheese pizza depends on the toppings, crust thickness, and pie size. According to Weight Watchers Reimagined, or WW, a slice of pizza can amount to 5 to 16 points.
When it comes to toppings, cheese, pepperoni, and sausage are high-calorie foods that are also high in saturated fat. The more of these toppings on your pizza, the higher its SmartPoints value. Conversely, using lean protein, such as skinless chicken breast, can decrease the SmartPoints value of your meal. Vegetable toppings such as mushrooms or bell peppers often add no points.
The WW pizza cheat sheet recommends avoiding white pizza, or pizza made without tomato sauce, as it is often topped with more cheese than a regular cheese pizza, increasing the calories, saturated fat, and SmartPoints value.
If you're looking to indulge in a slice of pizza while following the Weight Watchers program, opt for a thin crust with vegetable toppings to keep the points lower.
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Portion size
A slice of cheese pizza typically has about 12 points, but this can vary depending on the size of the slice, the type of cheese used, and the crust. For example, a "regular" slice of cheese pizza with a medium crust served at a typical pizza parlor has nine SmartPoints. On the other hand, a thick-crust cheese pizza slice (not as thick as deep dish) will cost you ten SmartPoints.
Deep-dish pizza has the highest points per slice, ranging from 12 to 15 points. A slice of New York-style pizza can be twice the size of a regular slice, and a Chicago-style deep-dish slice averages 11 to 15 SmartPoints.
When it comes to portion size and points, crust thickness makes a significant difference. Thin-crust pizza typically has fewer calories, resulting in lower points per slice, usually ranging from five to seven. Substituting a thin crust for a medium crust can reduce the SmartPoints by eight.
Toppings also influence the points value. Meat toppings like pepperoni, sausage, or bacon can add one to three points, while vegetable toppings like mushrooms or bell peppers often have zero points.
It's important to note that the points values mentioned above may change depending on the specific Weight Watchers plan and the restaurant or brand of pizza. For precise calculations, Weight Watchers provides a points calculator on their website.
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Frequently asked questions
A slice of cheese pizza on Weight Watchers is between 5 and 16 points, depending on the crust thickness, pie size, and type of cheese used.
A slice of Domino's 12-inch hand-tossed regular cheese pizza is 11% of your daily calories, which is equal to 220 calories. This amounts to 9 Weight Watchers points.
A slice of cheese pizza typically has between 400 and 700 calories, depending on the size of the slice and the restaurant.
Weight Watchers, also known as WW, assigns points to foods based on calories, sugar, saturated fat, and protein. The more calories, sugar, and saturated fat in a food, the higher its points value.
To reduce the number of points in a slice of cheese pizza, opt for a thin crust, limit yourself to one slice, and top with vegetables.
