If you're like many Americans, pizza is one dietary indulgence you simply can't do without. On a program such as Weight Watchers, you don't have to. Weight Watchers doesn't forbid any foods, meaning you can eat pizza every week and still lose weight. But to avoid going over your points limit, you need to know how many points are in a single slice of pizza, and how to choose the best varieties for dieters.
Pizza Types
With so many different types of pizza, the Weight Watchers PointsPlus values for a single slice vary widely. The pizza found in an average pizza parlor, with a medium-size crust contains five points per slice of cheese, with no toppings; one slice of crispy, thin-crust pizza also has five points; pizza with a thicker-than-average crust and a doughier texture has between seven and 11 points per slice; a slice of Sicilian pizza, which has a thick crust and is usually cut into squares, has five to seven points; and a small slice of deep-dish pizza with one meat topping contains between seven and 10 points.
Toppings
Toppings add flavor, crunch and texture to pizza; unfortunately, many add points as well. Meat toppings are usually the worst offenders; pepperoni adds two points per slice while ham and sausage each add three points. Olives, another popular topping, add one point to a single slice, and even sweet pineapple adds two points. Fortunately, broccoli, onions, mushrooms and most other vegetables make for tastier pizza without adding a single point.
Pizza Chains
With its gooey cheese and buttery crust, the pizza found at many popular pizza chains can be very high in Weight Watchers points. But if you choose the variety wisely, you can enjoy your favorite delivery pizza without going over your point limit. These types of pizza all have six to seven points per slice: Domino's classic cheese 12-inch pie; Little Caesars thin crust pepperoni 12-inch pie; Papa John's thin crust white large pie; Pizza Hut Veggie Lover's Pizza Thin 'n' Crispy medium pie; and Mazzio's Italian Eatery chicken-club thin-crust pizza medium pie, according to information from Weight Watchers.
Tips
Even if you don't know the exact point value for a certain type of pizza, you can make healthier decisions by knowing which factors influence the points value. Try to choose whole-wheat crust, which has extra fiber that helps fill you up; pick the thinnest crust available; and go light on the cheese and meat toppings, doubling up on veggies instead. And if you're making pizza at home, opt for reduced-fat cheese and add plenty of spices like basil, oregano and crushed red pepper for extra zing.
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