Understanding Papa Murphy's Medium Pizza Calories
Papa Murphy's medium pizzas are typically 12 inches in diameter and cut into 8 slices. This means that to calculate the total calorie count for the entire pizza, you must multiply the per-slice calorie information by eight. The exact nutritional content is highly dependent on the toppings and crust chosen. For example, a medium original crust pepperoni pizza will have a different calorie total than a medium thin crust veggie pizza.
The Calorie Breakdown for Medium Original Crust Pizzas
Let's break down the calories per slice for some of the most popular medium original crust pizzas, as a reference point for your meal planning:
- Cheese Pizza: One slice contains approximately 200–216 calories. The total pizza would be around 1,600–1,728 calories.
- Pepperoni Pizza: A single slice has roughly 240–250 calories. The total pizza is in the range of 1,920–2,000 calories.
- Murphy's Combo Pizza: One slice provides about 280–290 calories, which equates to 2,240–2,320 calories for the whole pizza.
- Cowboy Pizza: This hearty pizza comes in at around 290 calories per slice, making the total for the pizza 2,320 calories.
- Papa's All Meat Pizza: Expect about 270 calories per slice, for a grand total of around 2,160 calories.
How Crust and Toppings Affect the Total Calorie Count
The most significant variables influencing your pizza's final calorie count are the crust and toppings. Papa Murphy's offers various options that allow for some customization of your meal.
Here’s how different choices impact the nutrition:
- Crust Type: Thin crust is the easiest way to reduce calories and carbohydrates. For instance, a slice of a family-size pepperoni thin crust pizza contains 220 calories, which is less than a slice of the medium original crust pepperoni.
- Meat Toppings: The more meat you add, the higher the calorie and fat content will be. Meats like pepperoni, sausage, and bacon are denser in calories than vegetable toppings.
- Cheese: Opting for extra cheese will increase the fat and calorie count. Conversely, asking for light cheese can help reduce these numbers.
- Vegetable Toppings: Adding more vegetables like onions, mushrooms, and bell peppers can increase fiber and nutrients without a major calorie spike. Vegetables are a smart choice for adding flavor and volume.
- Sauce: While sauce contributes some calories, its impact is generally less significant than that of crust and toppings. However, specialty sauces like creamy garlic sauce will be higher in calories than a standard tomato sauce.
Managing Calories with Custom Orders
For those watching their calorie intake, Papa Murphy's offers tools and options to help. Their website includes an interactive nutrition calculator where you can build your pizza and view the real-time nutritional information for your custom creation.
Calorie Comparison: Medium Original Crust Pizzas (Per Slice)
| Pizza Type | Calories (per slice) | Fat (g) | Carbs (g) | Protein (g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cheese | 200–216 | 8–9 | 24 | 6–10 |
| Pepperoni | 240–250 | 11–12 | 24–25 | 7–12 |
| Murphy's Combo | 280–290 | 13–15 | 25–26 | 9–14 |
| Cowboy | 290 | 15 | 25 | 10 |
| Papa's All Meat | 270–280 | 12–14 | 25–26 | 13–14 |
Note: All values are approximate based on data from various nutritional sources and Papa Murphy's own information. Exact values may vary based on ingredients and portioning.
Ways to Make Your Medium Pizza Lighter
Here is a list of simple strategies to help lower the calorie count of your Papa Murphy's medium pizza:
- Choose Thin Crust: This can significantly reduce the overall carbohydrates and calories compared to the thicker original crust.
- Load up on Veggies: Order extra vegetables like onions, bell peppers, and mushrooms, which are low in calories and high in fiber.
- Go Light on Cheese: Ask for a lighter portion of cheese to immediately cut down on fat and calories.
- Select Leaner Meats: If adding meat, choose options like grilled chicken over higher-fat options like pepperoni and sausage.
- Mind Your Portions: Be mindful of how many slices you eat. A medium pizza is typically designed for sharing, so a single slice can be a satisfying part of a balanced meal.
Conclusion
In summary, the number of calories in a medium Papa Murphy's pizza varies based on the type of pizza ordered. For the popular medium original crust options, expect a range of 200 to 290 calories per slice, leading to a total of 1,600 to 2,320 calories for the whole pizza. To get the most accurate information for your specific order, it is always recommended to use the official nutrition calculator on Papa Murphy's website, where you can customize your pizza and see the nutritional impact of your choices.
Check the nutrition information on Papa Murphy's official website