How Many Calories Are in 1 Brown Pitta?

December 31, 2025 •

4 min read

According to nutritional data, a single brown pitta bread typically contains between 135 and 170 calories, with the exact amount varying based on its size and brand. Understanding the calorie content is key for anyone managing their diet, but the nutritional value of a brown pitta goes beyond just its energy count. It's a source of fiber, protein, and carbohydrates that can be a healthy addition to many meals.

Quick Summary

This guide provides a detailed look at the calorie content and nutritional profile of a standard brown pitta bread, including macronutrient information and comparisons with its white counterpart. Information is based on multiple brand-specific and general nutrition sources.

Key Points

Calorie Range: A single brown pitta typically contains 135 to 170 calories, dependent on size and brand.
High in Fiber: Brown pitta is rich in dietary fiber, which aids digestion and promotes fullness.
Low in Fat: The fat content in brown pitta bread is generally very low, making it a lean carbohydrate option.
Versatile Ingredient: It serves as a healthy and adaptable base for meals, from sandwiches to homemade pizzas.
Superior to White Pitta: Brown pitta offers more nutrients, a lower glycemic index, and higher fiber compared to white pitta.
Check Labels: Always read the nutritional label to verify the calorie count and ingredients, looking for wholemeal flour and low salt.

The Calorie Count in a Brown Pitta

While the exact number of calories in a single brown pitta can vary by manufacturer and weight, a typical 56g to 63g pitta contains approximately 135 to 163 calories. For example, Tesco's wholemeal pitta lists 135 calories per 56g serving, while Waitrose's brown pitta offers 138 calories per 61g. This difference highlights the importance of checking the nutritional information on the packaging of the specific brand you are consuming. The calorie count primarily comes from its carbohydrate and protein content, with very little fat. This makes it a great low-fat alternative to other breads.

Factors Influencing Calorie Content

Several elements can affect the total calories in a brown pitta:

Size and Weight: A larger, heavier pitta will naturally have more calories than a smaller one.
Ingredients: While brown pitta is made with wholemeal flour, some brands may include additional ingredients like seeds or other grains, which can alter the overall nutritional profile and calorie count.
Brand Variations: Manufacturing processes and recipes differ across brands, leading to slight variations in calorie and nutrient values, as demonstrated by the Tesco and Waitrose examples.

A Detailed Nutritional Breakdown

Beyond calories, brown pitta bread provides several beneficial nutrients, particularly compared to its refined white counterpart. Here is a typical macronutrient profile for a standard brown pitta:

Carbohydrates: The main source of energy, often making up the bulk of the pitta's nutritional content. A 56g pitta might contain around 23-24g of carbs.
Fiber: This is a key advantage of brown pitta. Wholemeal flour provides a high level of dietary fiber, with some pittas containing over 5g of fiber per serving. Fiber aids digestion, promotes feelings of fullness, and helps regulate blood sugar levels.
Protein: Brown pittas are a decent source of plant-based protein, with a typical serving offering around 5 to 6 grams.
Fat: The fat content is generally very low, with most types containing less than 1g per pitta.
Vitamins and Minerals: Wholemeal flour retains more of the grain's natural nutrients. These can include B vitamins, iron, and magnesium.

Comparison: Brown Pitta vs. White Pitta

When considering your dietary options, it is helpful to compare brown and white pitta bread. While the calorie difference is not always significant, the nutritional benefits of the brown version are clear.


Feature	Brown/Wholemeal Pitta	White Pitta
Calories (per standard pitta)	135-170 kcal	165-180 kcal
Fiber Content	High (around 4-5g)	Low (around 1-2g)
Nutrients	Richer in B vitamins, iron, magnesium	Lower in most micronutrients; often enriched
Glycemic Index	Lower, promotes more stable blood sugar	Higher, can cause blood sugar spikes
Satiety	Higher fiber content aids in prolonged fullness	Less filling due to lower fiber and higher glycemic index

Choosing the Right Pitta for Your Diet

For those focused on weight management or controlling blood sugar, brown pitta is the superior choice. Its high fiber content helps you feel full for longer, reducing the likelihood of overeating. The lower glycemic index means a more gradual release of energy, avoiding the crash that can come after eating refined carbohydrates. However, for a quick energy boost, white pitta may be preferred, though it offers less nutritional value.

How to Incorporate Brown Pitta into Meals

Brown pitta is incredibly versatile and can be used in numerous healthy and delicious ways:

As a Sandwich Alternative: Fill a pocket with lean protein like chicken, hummus, and a variety of fresh vegetables.
For Dipping: Use toasted brown pitta strips for dipping in low-fat hummus, salsa, or tzatziki.
Pizza Base: Split a pitta and top with low-sugar tomato sauce, vegetables, and a sprinkle of cheese for a quick, personal pizza.
With Salads: Cut into croutons and bake until crispy to add a fibrous crunch to any salad.
Breakfast: Serve with scrambled eggs and avocado for a high-protein, high-fiber start to the day.

Conclusion

In summary, one brown pitta bread typically contains between 135 and 170 calories, depending on its specific weight and brand. It is a nutritious choice, offering a valuable source of fiber and protein that makes it more beneficial for weight management and overall health compared to white pitta bread. By paying attention to serving sizes and checking nutritional labels, consumers can confidently incorporate brown pitta into a balanced diet to enjoy its numerous health benefits.

For more detailed nutritional breakdowns on different types of food, a reliable resource is the U.S. Department of Agriculture's FoodData Central, which provides comprehensive information on thousands of food items.

What to Look for on the Label

To make the healthiest choice, always read the nutritional information on the packaging. Here's what to look for:

Serving Size: Confirm the calories are for a single pitta and note its weight.
Ingredients List: Look for "wholemeal wheat flour" or "whole wheat flour" as the primary ingredient to ensure it's a true brown pitta and not simply colored with caramel.
Fiber Content: Opt for pittas with higher fiber content per serving for better digestive health and satiety.
Sugar and Salt: Check that the sugar and salt values are low, as these can be high in some processed bread products.

This careful approach will help you select the most nutritious brown pitta for your dietary needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, a brown pitta is generally considered healthier than a white pitta because it is made from wholemeal flour. This means it contains more dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals, and has a lower glycemic index.

A standard brown pitta contains about 135-170 calories, which is comparable to or slightly higher than a single slice of medium-sliced wholemeal bread, depending on the slice's thickness. However, the pitta often feels more substantial.

Yes, brown pitta can support weight loss efforts. Its high fiber content helps you feel fuller for longer, which can help control appetite and reduce overall calorie intake.

While not a primary protein source, a brown pitta provides a decent amount of plant-based protein, with approximately 5-6 grams per pitta, contributing to your daily intake.

The fiber content in a brown pitta is a key benefit, with many brands providing around 4-5 grams per serving. This is significantly higher than white pitta and supports healthy digestion.

No, toasting a brown pitta does not change its calorie content. The cooking process simply dries the bread out, but the nutritional value remains the same.

Healthy fillings for a brown pitta include lean proteins like grilled chicken, turkey, or chickpeas, along with plenty of vegetables such as lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and a smear of hummus for flavor.