How healthy is PizzaExpress pizza? A nutritional breakdown

December 8, 2025 •

4 min read

According to nutritional data, calorie counts for PizzaExpress pizzas can range dramatically, with standard classic options easily exceeding 700 kcal while specialist versions offer significant savings. Understanding the specifics is key to knowing how healthy is PizzaExpress pizza, allowing you to make an informed choice for your diet.

Quick Summary

This guide provides a detailed analysis of the nutritional content across various PizzaExpress menu items, including their standard, Romana, and Leggera pizzas. It covers calories, fat, and protein, highlighting healthier choices and potential pitfalls to ensure you make the best decision for your health goals.

Key Points

Leggera is the healthiest option: The Leggera range, featuring a wholemeal base and a central salad, offers significantly fewer calories and higher fibre.
Classic vs. Romana: Classic pizzas are generally lower in calories than their larger, crispier Romana counterparts.
Hidden calories in sides: Starters and dips, particularly garlic butter, can contain high amounts of fat and calories, so choose carefully.
High salt content: Be mindful of the salt in your meal; some PizzaExpress dishes can contain more salt than fast food equivalents.
Toppings matter: Opting for vegetable-heavy toppings, like those on the Vegan Giardiniera, can increase nutrient intake and provide a more balanced meal.
Portion control is key: Sharing a larger pizza or simply eating a smaller portion can help control calorie intake effectively.
Informed choices: PizzaExpress can fit into a balanced diet if you make mindful selections, focusing on lighter options and managing side dishes.

Decoding the PizzaExpress Menu

When ordering from PizzaExpress, the first thing to understand is that not all pizzas are created equal. The chain offers several distinct styles that have significant nutritional differences. Your choice of crust, toppings, and portion size all play a critical role in the final health profile of your meal. The nutritional details for many items are publicly available, providing transparency for health-conscious diners.

The Nutritional Breakdown of Pizza Types

Classic Pizzas: The traditional choice, offering a balanced, medium-thickness crust. Calories and fat content vary widely based on toppings. For example, a Classic Margherita is a much lighter option than a meat-heavy Classic Sloppy Giuseppe.
Romana Pizzas: Characterised by their thinner, crispier, and larger base, Romana pizzas often have a higher calorie count than their Classic counterparts. The extra surface area allows for more toppings and cheese, driving up the nutritional load. A Romana can easily exceed 1000 calories depending on the ingredients.
Leggera Pizzas: The lowest-calorie option, designed for those watching their intake. The key feature is the hole cut from the centre of the pizza, which is filled with a fresh, undressed salad. The base is also made from a healthier, higher-fibre wholemeal flour, contributing to slower digestion and a longer feeling of fullness.
Gluten-Free Pizzas: Available as an alternative base, these pizzas cater to specific dietary needs. While they remove gluten, the nutritional profile can be similar to or even higher in calories than the standard Classic pizzas.

Side Dishes and Starters: The Hidden Calorie Bombs

While the pizza itself is the main event, the often-overlooked starters and sides can dramatically alter the healthiness of your meal. The iconic Dough Balls, especially when paired with the generous garlic butter dip, add a significant amount of fat and calories. For example, the garlic butter dip alone contains a high amount of saturated fat. Other side dishes and dips should be considered carefully, as many are high in fat and calories. Choosing a lighter starter like the Chilli Prawns or a simple salad without a rich dressing can help control your overall intake.

Comparison of PizzaExpress Pizza Types

To better illustrate the differences, here is a comparison of similar topping options across different PizzaExpress pizza styles. Note: Nutritional values can change, so always check the latest menu.


Feature	Margherita (Classic)	Margherita (Leggera)	Margherita (Gluten-Free)
Calories	~711 kcal	~440 kcal (Leggera American Hot example)	~685 kcal
Fat	Moderate	Low	Moderate
Salt	Moderate to high	Moderate to high	Moderate to high
Carbs	High	Medium (Lower carb content due to salad)	High
Fibre	Low	Higher (due to wholemeal base)	Low
Health Summary	Can be enjoyed in moderation.	The lightest, most diet-friendly option.	Similar to classic but for dietary needs.

Tips for a Healthier PizzaExpress Experience

Opt for the Leggera: If calorie counting is your priority, the Leggera range is the clear winner. The added salad in the middle also helps increase your vegetable intake and contributes to a balanced meal.
Focus on Vegetable Toppings: Load your pizza with vegetables like artichokes, mushrooms, and peppers. The Vegan Giardiniera, for instance, is rich in vegetables and can be a great option.
Choose a Lighter Base: If you can't face the Leggera, a Classic base is a better choice than the Romana for lower calories and fat.
Share Your Meal: Consider sharing a Romana pizza with a side salad to balance your meal. This is a great way to enjoy the taste without overindulging.
Be Mindful of Sides and Dips: Skip the buttery dough balls or choose a lighter dipping sauce. This small change can save a surprising number of calories and a large amount of saturated fat.
Drink Water: Sodas and other sugary drinks can add hidden calories. Stick to water or a low-calorie alternative to keep your calorie count in check.

Conclusion: A Balanced Perspective on PizzaExpress Pizza

So, how healthy is PizzaExpress pizza? It's a question with no single answer, as the healthiness of your meal depends entirely on your menu choices. While some items are undeniably high in calories and salt, there are also excellent options available for those looking for a healthier meal. The Leggera range and vegetable-loaded pizzas offer a way to enjoy the restaurant experience without compromising your health goals. By being an informed diner and making smart swaps, you can confidently include PizzaExpress in a balanced lifestyle. As one nutritionist suggests, it's about balance—enjoying your treats mindfully, rather than overthinking it.

For more great tips on navigating restaurant menus for healthier choices, you can explore resources like the SLMan nutritionist's guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Not necessarily. While some PizzaExpress options like the Leggera are designed to be lighter, many of their standard and Romana pizzas contain similar or even higher calories and salt compared to some takeaway competitors. It depends entirely on the specific pizza and toppings.

The lowest-calorie options are found in the Leggera range. For example, a Leggera American Hot pizza is listed at just 440 calories, a significant saving over the standard version.

The Gluten-Free pizzas at PizzaExpress are not necessarily healthier, just gluten-free. Their calorie and fat counts can be similar to or even higher than standard Classic pizzas, and they still contain a moderate-to-high level of salt.

To make your meal healthier, choose a Leggera or Classic base, load up on vegetables, opt for lighter protein toppings like chicken, and avoid rich, creamy sauces. Instead of dough balls, choose a simple starter like Chilli Prawns or a side salad with a light dressing.

A single serving of PizzaExpress Dough Balls with the accompanying garlic butter dip adds a significant number of calories and fat to your meal. The dip, in particular, is calorie-dense due to its high fat content.

Yes, Leggera pizzas can be quite satisfying. The wholemeal base is higher in fibre, which promotes a feeling of fullness for longer. The central salad also provides extra volume and nutrients without adding many calories.

The Vegan Giardiniera is one of the better choices for vegetable content, featuring artichokes, mushrooms, and olives. As with any pizza, portion size and overall meal choices are important, but this option provides more fibre and antioxidants than many meat-heavy pizzas.