Making pizza a healthy meal

When you think of healthy meals, pizza is usually not the first thing that comes to mind. Typically it is pictured with lots of fat meats such as pepperoni or sausage and a thick coating of cheese. While you certainly can order it that way, there are lots of lighter options that can make pizza a healthy meal.

Buying pizza at a restaurant takes away most of your control of exactly what ingredients will be used on your pizza. You can ask if the restaurant you choose makes a whole wheat crust, some places do. Whole wheat flour has more fiber and nutrients and is a healthier choice. 

If you want to keep the calories down you need to consider the thickness of the crust. Thin is lower in calories just because there is less of it.

When it comes to making pizza a healthier choice, it isn’t just about calories, it is about fat. Pizza without fat would probably not be too good but by using real olive oil you can at least make it healthier. If you want to have meat on your pizza, make sure it is precooked and the fat drained off. Bacon, for instance, is better at least partially cooked so that the entire pizza isn’t dripping in bacon fat.

Another healthier meal option is chicken but again you need to consider how it is being cooked and what is being put on it. Grilled chicken with natural seasonings will keep it fresher and less heavy than barbecue sauce for instance. If you are looking for beef, opt for hamburger over breadcrumb filled meatballs.

One of the healthiest choices in pizza is the original Neapolitan pizza, the Margarita. It is a fresh combination of a light red sauce, fresh basil, sliced tomatoes and mozzarella cheese applied lightly. With the addition of a drizzle EVOO it is as near to healthy perfection as you can find.

Making your own healthy pizza is the best way to control the ingredients. Mozzarella cheese comes in skim and whole milk varieties and both taste the same. Vegetables are a great healthy addition to almost any pizza. Mushrooms, peppers, onions, olives, and eggplants are all easy to incorporate into a pizza. Pineapple is perfect in combination with lean ham or bacon.

If you are a salad lover, cook your pizza crust and in the meantime mix up your favorite salad in a bowl. Apply EVOO to the crust with a pastry brush and then place your salad on top. What a delicious way to enjoy a healthy pizza.

Pizza doesn’t have to be unhealthy and a diet buster. Keep the ingredients simple and fresh and apply them in moderation. You can make pizza a healthy meal and a delicious one too.