Enjoy Your Pizza the Healthy Way
By Donna Stark
Pizza holds such a special place in the hearts of many. From birthdays to Friday night dinners to weekend movies with the family, we have all grown up enjoying this delicious treat. But now that we are adults, those greasy slices of goodness don't always fit into our diets as easily as they once did, do they? Well, there is no need for us to give them up! With a few tweaks here and some other tweaks there, we can still enjoy a slice or two with our loved ones. And there is no better time to do that than now. Did you know that National Pizza Party Day is near the end of this month?
Tweaking Your Pizza
The pizza you remember growing up with may have been dripping in cheese, grease, and pepperonis, but that doesn't mean the pizza you enjoy today has to be the same. Don't be left out of all the fun. There are plenty of ways you can make it healthier so everyone can join in. Take a look.
- Choose a whole-grain crust for extra servings of fiber and protein
- Sprinkle on low-fat cheeses to cut back on calories
- Pile on the vegetables for added texture, flavor, and nutrients
- Select lean proteins, such as chicken or turkey
- Cut back on the number of slices by serving a hearty salad with the meal too
- Make your own sauce or try something different, like pesto or olive oil and garlic
Throw a Pizza Party!
Now that you have some ideas on how to make and enjoy a healthier pizza, it's time to start the party! Here are some cute ideas on how you can get everyone involved in National Pizza Party Day. Let the fun begin!
- Cook off - Set the ingredients out in the middle of the table and let everyone loose. See who can design and cook the best pie of the night. Bonus points for those who can throw the dough in the air and catch it like a professional!
- Movie night - There is nothing better than eating a delicious pizza pie while watching a favorite movie. Just be careful though! Eating pizza in a darkened room can be messy.
- Dessert pizza - There are plenty of recipes online that will take your pizza cravings from the main course of the meal to the sweetest spot at the end. Fruit, chocolate, candy, and ice cream ... the toppings for this kind of dessert are endless!
Happy to Enjoy Pizza Once Again
You've missed those slices far too much, haven't you? Well, you can finally get back to celebrating pizza by choosing healthy over greasy and by inviting those you love to do the same! National Pizza Party Day is right around the corner and this year, you are going to be ready for it!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in La Verne, Calif.