Pizza has often been associated with unhealthy foods. The truth is pizza can be both unhealthy and healthy. The former should not, however, stop you from purchasing a pizza oven. There are many ways you can enjoy your pizza without fear of risking your health.
Jump onto the excitement of the weekend by making healthy pizza at home using the following tips.
1. Load your pizza with vegetables
What determines how healthy or unhealthy your pizza is is the kind of ingredients used. The best part about homemade pizza is the fact that you can control what goes into it.
You will end up with a pizza that is free of carcinogenic preservatives and high cholesterol ingredients. If you work with as many vegetables as you can, you will end up with the healthiest and tastiest pizza.
There is a lot of flexibility when it comes to the choice of toppings. You can use olives, capsicum, tomatoes, mushrooms, onions, and even fruits like pineapples. Use vegetable toppings instead of processed meat for a nutritious dish.
2. Use a thin crust
Most people avoid pizza due to its high calories content, which often comes from the crust. Most restaurants make a thick crust. When making your pizza, go for thin crust. Not only will you cut down your calories intake, but you will also end up consuming more vegetables by the time you get full.
Another trick is to use whole grain crust as it contains fiber which is good for your digestive system.
3. Avoid fatty toppings
Fatty sausages and other processed meats should be avoided and replaced with either vegetables or lean meat. For instance, chicken toppings are by far better than pepperoni, which contains high fat and sodium.
If you want to experiment, you could even try seafood.
4. Be careful with the cheese
Fresh buffalo mozzarella is the most recommended for a healthy pizza. Not only does it taste amazing, but it is also low on fat and contains beneficial proteins. Other options you could use in place of cheddar cheese include ricotta and feta.
It is also important to remember that your pizza can still taste great without extra cheese. Use light cheese and only in sizeable amounts.
5. Prepare a healthy side
You are encouraged to mind your portions. One of the recommended strategies is cutting the slices thin and eating only a few of them. Pairing with a healthy side will ensure that you have enough to eat and supply your body with nutrients.
Some people serve their pizza with salads, and others make yogurt-based ranch dip. This way, you can enjoy one or two slices of pizza and feel full.
Conclusion
If you have pizza on your weekend menus, consider homemade options as it is easier to make them healthier. Replacing your ingredients with healthier ones is the way to go. For example, use more vegetables and eliminate processed meats. Lean meat and healthy sides can also make your pizza dinner nutritious.
You can explore tons of other healthy toppings for a fresh, delicious, and healthy meal.
