Creating a Healthier Pizza to Enjoy Guilt-Free
By Brandi Goodman
National Pizza Day arrives on the 9th of February. Most pizza options are unhealthy, making you feel like you have to miss out on celebrating. However, there are some healthier pizzas to enjoy without the guilt as long as you make them from scratch. You can create your own healthy pizza and have a slice or two without worrying about the scale.
Make a Personal Pizza
A personal pizza is a miniature version of the large size you typically see. Making one of this size ensures you only eat this designated amount. It keeps you from grabbing an additional slice and overeating. A smaller section of dough to work with also prevents you from having too many toppings and going overboard on what you're adding.
Use Fresh Mozzarella
Fresh mozzarella shredded onto your pizza makes it taste great while also keeping calories lower than usual. Typical shredded mozzarella cheese packaged in stores adds even more calories and fat to the mix. If you want an even healthier option, use feta cheese instead.
Create a Whole Wheat Pizza Dough
The prepackaged dough found in stores often contains far too much sodium. Creating a pizza dough from scratch ensures you're limiting the salt and sugar added to the recipe. A homemade whole wheat pizza dough is one of the best options for a healthier version of pizza.
Make the Crust Thin
Far too many people create a thick crust that swells up in the oven. This is way too much bread to eat with an abundance of carbs and calories. A thin crust pizza is the way to go because it ensures you get more of the nutritional toppings and less of the breading.
Top with Veggies
Skip the pepperoni, bacon, and sausage that many pizzas include. These are full of fat and calories and should be limited in the diet. You can use diced chicken or turkey if you really want meat on your pizza, but a veggie-filled creation would be even better. Tomatoes, peppers, and spinach make great topping choices.
Pizza loaded with unhealthy toppings and made with thick crust might not be the best meal to eat. Making your own homemade version, however, can be just what you need for a healthy pizza option that allows you to eat a favorite food without guilt. Give it a try and see how you like it.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Mt. Pleasant, S.C.