Creating a Healthy Pizza during National Pizza Month
By Brandi Swieter
Following a healthy diet doesn't mean having to pass over pizza. Plenty of healthy pizza options exist that won't take up your daily calorie count. National Pizza Month falls to October, making now the perfect time to create some healthy pizza dishes that can continue to be consumed all year-round.
Use a Whole Wheat Dough
Pizza dough already starts the dish out high in calories. All that bread isn't good to consume. Using whole wheat dough, however, lessens the calories some and makes the version far better to eat. If this type isn't found at a local store then a homemade dough may be necessary to create.
Go Easy on the Sauce
Some people prefer a very saucy pizza. They add on the topping without a second thought. Many pizza sauces are high in calories and sodium. Go easy on the sauce and use a reduced sodium version for a healthier solution. A homemade sauce is also far better than store-bought kind.
Make a Veggie Pizza
People who tend to consume pepperoni, sausage, or all meat pizzas are not usually getting the daily intake of vegetables they need. Adding some veggies to a pizza is a good start, such as the supreme, but an all-veggie pizza is an even better alternative. Carrots, cucumbers, peppers, and broccoli all make excellent toppings.
Order Thin Crust
A thicker crust means more bread and more calories. It's best to order a thin crust pizza instead. This cuts down a lot of calories and leaves more room for the beneficial veggie toppings you should be enjoying. Stuffed crust is also a no-go, as there is a lot of fat packed into the cheese filling.
Use Fresh Mozzarella
Mozzarella is one of the lower calorie cheeses people can use for pizza. It's best if it's fresh since pre-packaged options contain a lot of extra sodium. Avoid choosing three cheese pizzas. These are much higher in fat.
Pizza is a favorite meal, snack, and food group for many. Though the common types offered at local pizza places or found in the freezer aisle aren't always healthy, there are plenty of ways to create a healthier version that is safe to consume more often. Pizza can be made delicious and nutritious if the right ingredients are utilized and the wrong ones are avoided.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Cary, N.C.