It is known that an estimated 40 million people or more across the country eat pizza everyday. Pizza then, is a huge source of the daily calories and nutrients we take in. We eat pizza during birthday parties and we eat them as a snack too. It is widely available, considering the number of pizza chains these days. Everybody loves pizza!
There are two kinds of pizza lovers though: those who love greasy junk food and those who prefer a healthy combo of fresh ingredients. If you’ve chosen or have always preferred the healthier pizza path, here are tips on how to build (or choose) a pie that won’t kill you with the fats and calories.
Load up on the veggie toppings because they contain fewer calories and usually less fat too. If you have the option to choose, go for onions, tomatoes, peppers, roasted squash, meaty mushrooms, and broccoli, all of which contain vitamins A and C and lots of fiber.
Choose fresh mozzarella because it naturally has slightly less fat, including saturated fat, than other types of cheese. Sharp provolone and naturally lower-fat Parmesan are also good alternatives as well.
Choose thin crust. Eating thick crusts, cheese-stuffed crusts, etc., can add up to more than 300 extra calories per slice. On the other hand, each thin crust slice only has 50-100 fewer calories.
Remove excess oil. Ever wondered if it actually makes a difference? Yes, it really does! Blotting the oil from the pizza can remove 50% or so of the calories from the fat, supposedly. Another subtle option is to let the oil drip off the slice before you eat it.
Look for whole grain ingredients. There are now a lot of pizza chains and traditional pizzerias that are offering this option. Whole grain provides extra nutrients and fiber without altering the taste too much. Want to make your own whole grain crust? Stick around and maybe we’ll feature an article about that!
Finally, eating healthy pizza all comes down to eating smart. Pizza lovers do not really have to lose out. Try eating pizza at the right time and it can actually be healthy for you. Like, for instance, avoid eating pizza as a midnight snack and save it for breakfast or for your post-work out meal where you actually need the calories to start your day and to restore lost energy, respectively. Also, mind your portions. Ask yourself, do you really want that fourth slice? You can also try eating pizza with salad. The veggies from the salad comes with fiber which can make you feel full faster.
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