Can Pizza Really Be A Healthy Dinner?

When you can't be bothered to cook a real dinner, is it worth it to dial the local pizza delivery or will it ruin your diet? Quick and easy isn't often associated with nutritious, but we don't always have time to make the right choices. Fortunately, most restaurants, including fast food and delivery options, are finally starting to catch up. Many are offering smaller, lower calorie and healthier versions of items from their traditional menu. Vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options are also becoming staples. So instead of succumbing to a greasy slice piled with pepperoni or begrudgingly snacking on porridge before bed, you can eat a hot delivered meal without the guilt.

One way to slash calories on a pizza pie is by eliminating one of the main sources of fat - the cheese. It may seem unusual, but ordering a pie without cheese is actually more common than you might think. Few people even notice the difference if the sauce base is good and the toppings plentiful. If ditching the cheese completely feels too much like dining on saucy bread, ask for half the cheese. It won't make a huge difference in taste, but it will in your waistline.

If you're a fan of deep-dish pizza, you aren't doing your body any favors. The doughy bread is packed with empty calories, fat, and carbohydrates. If you eat a few slices before going to bed, you're likely to wake up in the morning with a still bloated belly from all the bread. Better alternatives to doughy bases are thin crust pies. The cracker-like snap has a pleasant crunch, and you can eat several slices without feeling weighed down. The toppings, cheese, and sauce are the same, so the only thing you're missing is an extra layer of dough.

Choosing your toppings wisely is another way to turn this junk food into a nutritious meal. Avoid all meats. Unfortunately, pizza parlors fry their pepperoni, bacon, and ham with grease. The result might be tasty, but can quickly clog your arteries. Stick with vegetables such as broccoli, onion, green pepper, and tomato. For more flavors add garlic (which has several health benefits) and jalapenos or other spicy peppers. Other toppings that are low in calories but big on taste include pineapple, chicken, toasted pine nuts, mussels, and shrimp.

By custom building your pizza, you can easily stick within your dietary requirements. There are a few more dangers to avoid from your local delivery driver though. Stuffed crusts are a big hazard, as they are loaded with cheese, butter, and white flour. Don't submit to discounts that include free sugary sodas, sides of garlic bread, buffalo wings, or dessert items. These are guaranteed to be loaded with fat, grease, and sugar even in small quantities. A few bites of one of these sides can quickly undo all of your good work with a well-chosen pie. And unless you're ordering a thin crust version, stick to small or medium sized pies to avoid overeating.

By: Anna Woodward

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