Patrick Oconnell
Thin-crust cheese pizza is often considered a healthier alternative to regular crust pizza as it is lower in fat, carbs, and sodium. However, it is still important to monitor your intake as pizza is among the top sources of calories in the typical American diet. The carb content of thin-crust cheese pizza varies depending on the source, with values ranging from 18.1 grams to 22 grams of total carbs per slice. This equates to about 7-10% of the daily value for carbohydrates. In addition to carbs, thin-crust cheese pizza also contains protein, fat, and various vitamins and minerals, such as B vitamins, phosphorus, selenium, manganese, zinc, and calcium.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Carbohydrates | 18.1g-22g total carbs per slice |
| Fat | 6.6g-13g per slice |
| Protein | 7.9g-11.8g per slice |
| Calories | 164-252 per slice |
| Sodium | 541mg per slice (Pizza Hut Thin 'n Crispy Crust) |
| Fibre | 1.1g per slice |
| Vitamins | B vitamins (10% DV), thiamin, niacin, vitamin B12, riboflavin |
| Minerals | Phosphorus (22% DV), Selenium (23% DV), Manganese (10% DV), Zinc (9% DV), Calcium (19% DV) |
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What You'll Learn
Thin crust pizza has fewer carbs than thick crust
Thin-crust pizza is a healthier alternative to thick-crust pizza as it contains fewer carbohydrates, fats, and sodium. A thin crust slice of pizza contains almost 20 grams of carbohydrates, compared to 30 grams in a thick crust slice. This amounts to 7% of the daily value (DV) of carbs in a thin crust slice, while a thick crust slice will set you back 10% of your DV.
The nutritional value of pizza varies depending on the restaurant or brand, but it is generally a significant source of calories in the average American diet. For instance, a slice of Pizza Hut's Thin 'n Crispy Crust cheese pizza contains 209 calories, while a slice of their 12-inch thick crust cheese pizza has 280 calories.
Thin crust pizza also has a lower sodium content. A slice of thin crust pizza contains 541 milligrams of sodium (23% DV), while a slice of thick crust pizza contains 26% DV. It is recommended that healthy adults consume no more than 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day, as a high-sodium diet can lead to health issues like high blood pressure and an increased risk of kidney disease and stroke.
Additionally, thin crust pizza offers some vitamin and mineral benefits. Each slice can provide 10.6 grams of protein (21% DV), B vitamins (including thiamin, niacin, and vitamin B12), phosphorus, selenium, manganese, zinc, and calcium.
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Thin crust is lower in fat and sodium
Thin-crust pizza is generally considered a healthier alternative to thick-crust pizza. This is because it contains fewer carbohydrates, less fat, and less sodium.
A slice of Pizza Hut Thin 'n' Crispy Crust cheese pizza, for example, contains 209 calories, 9.7 grams of total fat, and 541 milligrams of sodium. In comparison, a slice of 12-inch thick-crust cheese pizza contains 280 calories, 17 grams of total carbohydrates, and 26% DV of sodium.
The thin crust's delicate nature also means it is typically restricted to one or two toppings, which can help to reduce the overall calorie and fat content of the pizza.
Additionally, thin crust pizza has certain vitamin and mineral benefits. Each slice of thin-crust pizza provides 10.6 grams of protein, B vitamins, phosphorus, selenium, manganese, zinc, and calcium.
However, it is important to note that pizza is not a particularly nutritious food, and its consumption should be limited to avoid exceeding recommended intakes of saturated fat and calories.
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Calories in thin crust pizza
Thin-crust pizza is a popular choice for those watching their weight or managing their calorie intake as it is often lower in fat, carbs, and sodium than a regular crust pizza. The calories in a thin-crust pizza vary depending on the toppings, the restaurant or brand, and the size of the pizza.
A slice of thin-crust pizza can range from 70 to 209 calories. For example, one slice of Pizza Hut's 12-inch Thin 'n Crispy Crust cheese pizza contains 209 calories, while a similar slice from Little Caesars contains around 70-80 calories. If you eat an entire 12-inch thin crust cheese pizza, you'll consume approximately 1,736 calories, which is 87 percent of the daily value (DV) on a 2,000-calorie diet.
The nutritional content of a thin-crust pizza also depends on the toppings. Pizza with full-fat cheese, pepperoni, or sausage toppings will add more saturated fat to your meal. To reduce saturated fat intake, opt for low-fat cheeses like feta or mozzarella and load up on veggies like tomatoes, peppers, mushrooms, spinach, basil, and artichokes.
Thin-crust pizza also has some nutritional benefits. Each slice provides essential vitamins and minerals. For example, a slice of Pizza Hut Thin 'n Crispy Crust cheese pizza offers 10.6 grams of protein, B vitamins, phosphorus, selenium, manganese, zinc, and calcium.
While thin-crust pizza can be a healthier choice than regular crust, it's important to limit your intake to avoid exceeding recommended levels of saturated fat and calories.
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Nutritional benefits of thin crust pizza
Thin-crust pizza is a healthier alternative to regular crust pizza as it contains fewer calories, less sodium, and fewer carbohydrates. A 12-inch thin-crust pizza typically contains around 209 calories per slice, compared to 280 calories for a 12-inch thick crust.
Thin-crust pizza also has a lower fat content, with 9.7 grams of total fat per slice, of which 4.8 grams are saturated fat. According to dietary guidelines, adults should limit saturated fat intake to no more than 10% of their daily calories. Thin-crust pizza can help keep within this limit, especially when topped with low-fat cheese, such as feta or mozzarella, and vegetables.
A thin crust pizza can also be a good source of protein, with 10.6 grams per slice, providing 21% of the daily value. It also supplies essential B vitamins, including thiamin, niacin, vitamin B12, and riboflavin, which help maintain normal physiological and metabolic functions.
Additionally, thin crust pizza provides phosphorus and selenium. Phosphorus is important for bone health and energy production, while selenium is an antioxidant that supports thyroid and immune function. Thin crust pizza also contains decent amounts of manganese, zinc, and calcium.
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Lowering salt content in thin crust pizza
Thin-crust cheese pizzas are generally lower in carbs, fat, and sodium than regular pizzas. However, to further reduce the salt content in thin-crust pizza, several measures can be taken.
Firstly, when preparing the pizza dough, you can significantly reduce or completely omit the addition of salt. While salt is traditionally used in pizza dough to slow down fermentation, its absence will not drastically affect the texture of the crust. Using cold ingredients or refrigerating the dough can also help compensate for the lack of salt by slowing down fermentation. Additionally, the type of flour used is more crucial to achieving the desired texture and "chew" than the amount of salt added. Double zero flour, for example, will give your crust a pleasant texture and ample chewiness.
When choosing toppings for your pizza, opt for low-sodium cheeses such as Swiss, Monterey Jack, ricotta, Parmesan, or low-fat mozzarella. Fresh tomatoes are a healthier alternative to tomato sauce, and you should avoid salty toppings like anchovies, olives, and pepperoni. If you wish to include meat toppings, use unsalted ground beef or turkey instead of cured meats.
By following these guidelines, you can effectively lower the salt content in your thin-crust pizza without sacrificing taste and texture.
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Frequently asked questions
Thin-crust cheese pizza is lower in carbohydrates than thick-crust pizza. A slice of thin-crust pizza contains around 17-22 grams of total carbohydrates, depending on the source and specific nutrients considered. This is generally considered a moderate amount of carbs.
A slice of thick crust pizza typically contains around 30 grams of carbohydrates, which is about 10 grams more than its thin-crust counterpart. Therefore, opting for a thin crust is a healthier choice in terms of carbohydrate intake.
Yes, there are ways to reduce the carb content of thin crust cheese pizza further. Choosing a lower-carb dough option, such as a cauliflower or almond flour crust, can significantly reduce the carb count. Additionally, opting for low-carb toppings like vegetables and low-fat cheese can also help lower the overall carbohydrate content.
While thin crust cheese pizza is generally lower in carbs, it can still be high in other nutrients like fat, sodium, and calories. The specific nutritional profile will depend on the toppings and the brand or restaurant. For example, a slice of Pizza Hut Thin 'n Crispy Crust cheese pizza contains about 209 calories and 9.7 grams of total fat. It's important to consider your overall diet and nutritional goals when including pizza as part of a meal.
