Is Pizza Healthy?

Pizza is sure a great treat to our taste buds, and we all want to have a taste of it once in a while. Maybe the problem is in having it often, as it comes with a whole lot of health risks: from high cholesterol to weight gain, digestive disorders, among others. What pizza lovers don`t know is that a slice of their delightsome snack is loaded with 300 calories, 14 grams of fats, and 700 mg of sodium. Now imagine when you eat a whole pack of pizza often. Let`s see the side effects of eating pizza regularly.

Health Risks of Eating Pizza

Increases the Risk of Heart Disease

Cheese, which is a common pizza ingredient, increases the levels of unhealthy cholesterol and makes one vulnerable to heart diseases. The risk is higher for lovers of chicken pizza,  as the fat content is higher.

Risk of Increased Blood Pressure

Pizza contains high sodium levels that can cause hypertension if one consumes it excessively. To keep your blood pressure normal, then you should consider reducing your pizza intake.

Dangers of Refined Flour

Pizza is made up of refined flour which is detrimental to health. It is devoid of vitamin and fiber content, as well as increases belly fat.

Fluctuations in Sugar Levels

Regular consumption of pizza can upset the body`s sugar balance. It could cause a sharp increase in sugar levels or even crash it, due to the presence of refined flour and some other pizza ingredients.

Risk of Acidity

Pizza contains cheese, sauce and refined flour crust that upset the stomach and cause acidity. People who already suffer from acidity are advised to completely stay off pizzas.

Risk of Addiction

Pizza contains ingredients that make it addictive. Consuming too much of it is definitely not safe for you, as addiction will cause you a whole lot of health issues

8 Healthy Tips for Consuming Pizza

If you really need to eat pizzas, there are healthy ways around it. Let`s explore the possibilities of healthy pizza consumption.

Make your Own Pizza

As much as you love to order your pizzas from fast-food restaurants, you put your health at risk, as you don`t know the ingredients of the pizza and how healthy they are. Here`s why it`s healthy to make your own pizza, so you can decide what goes into it. Make your pizza with wholesome ingredients like gluten-free flour and whole-grain to boost fiber content. You can also use nut flour to make a grain-free crust. There`s more to your homemade pizza: top it with unsweetened sauce, high-quality cheese, and healthy toppings such as sundried tomatoes, arugula, chicken, broccoli, peppers, garlic, or mushrooms.

Choose Whole Ingredients

Whether you`re making your pizza at home or purchasing one, be sure to choose whole ingredients. Always check the ingredient list so that you can make healthy choices. Never opt for pre-made pizzas that include high-fructose corn syrup, added sugar, artificial colors, processed meats, or artificial preservatives.

Practice Portion Control

It is never healthy to overeat any food, whether healthy or not. Overeating pizzas will bring about excessive calorie intake, and as a result, you may suffer unhealthy weight gain. Whether it`s homemade pizza or one that you purchase, ensure you consume it in moderation.

Pile on Veggies

Top your homemade and takeout pizzas with fresh or cooked vegetables. This will increase your vitamin, mineral, fiber, and antioxidant content of your meal.

Avoid Processed Meats

Use grilled chicken instead of processed meats like bacon and pepperoni. This way, you boost your protein intake and improve your overall health.

Cut out Added Sugar

Choose pizza brands that contain no added sugar. This helps to control your sugar levels, in a bid to maintain a healthy weight.

Choose Lower-Calorie Options

For your health`s sake, order thin-crust pizzas to keep your calorie and carb intake under control.

Try Different Recipes

Try as many pizza options that you can, particularly the healthy ones. You may opt for veggie and grain-based recipes that contain ingredients such as cauliflower, portabella mushrooms, and quinoa.

Some Pizza Recipes you Can Try

Salad Pizza

Ingredients for 4 Servings

• pizza dough
• ⅓ cup, extra-virgin olive oil
• finely grated garlic cloves
• Kosher salt
• freshly ground pepper
• large head of Bibb lettuce
• ¼ cup pickled red onion
• 3 tablespoons, sliced chives
• 4 ounces, thinly sliced prosciutto
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon of  sugar
• Gorgonzola

How to Prepare

• Preheat oven to 475°.
• Place dough on a rimmed baking sheet and drizzle with a tablespoon of oil.
• Turn to coat.
• Use your hand to stretch the dough outward until it covers the entire sheet
• Mix garlic and two tablespoons of oil in a small bowl.
• Drizzle over the dough and use your hands to spread across the entire surface.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Bake dough and rotate baking sheet once until it is golden, puffed, and crisp all over.
• Let it cool slightly.
• Toss lettuce, Gorgonzola, pickled onion, and chives in a large bowl.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Whisk vinegar and sugar in another small bowl, then, whisk constantly.
• Stream in remaining ⅓ cup oil.
• Pour dressing over salad and toss to coat.
• Arrange salad on top of pizza crust and drape prosciutto over.
• Slice pizza into squares.

Herby Pizza with Carrot Top Pesto

Ingredients for 4 Servings

• 2 teaspoons of sugar
• ½ teaspoons of active dry yeast
• 2¼ cups of flour
• 1½ tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons of kosher salt
• ⅓ cup of  coarsely grated Parmesan
• 1 small garlic clove, grated
• 1 tablespoon of fresh lime juice
• 1 cup of basil leaves
• 1 cup of tender carrot tops
• ⅓ cup of extra-virgin olive oil
• ¼ cup mint leaves
• Kosher salt
• 4 medium carrots, finely sliced
• ½ serrano chile, thinly sliced
• Pea shoots or blue basil

How to Prepare

• Mix sugar, yeast, and ¾ cup of warm water in the bowl of a stand mixer. You may also mix it in a large bowl if you`re mixing it with your hand.
• Stir in flour and 1½ tablespoons of oil.
• Mix on low speed, until the dough comes together in a smooth mass and no longer sticks to the sides of the bowl.
• Cover the dough and let it rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.
• Add salt and continue to knead until it`s fully incorporated into the dough.
• Turn out dough onto a work surface.
• Cut dough in half, then shape each half into a ball.
• Place each ball in separate medium bowls.
• Drizzle with enough oil to coat.
• Cover bowls with plastic wrap and leave for up to 24 hours.
• Chill at least 24 hours and up to 2 days.
• Let the dough come to room temperature until it`s about double in size and slowly springs back when you poke it.
• Pulse cheese, 1 cup basil, 1 cup carrot tops, ⅓ cup oil, garlic, lime juice, and ¼ cup mint in a food processor.
• Season with salt.
• Stretch the dough, a ball at a time, on a lightly-oiled large rimmed baking sheet.
• Spread with half of the pesto, then top with half of carrots and chiles.
• Drizzle with more oil, and season with salt.
• Let pizza cool for a minute, then top with basil, mint, carrot tops, pea shoots and/or blue basil.
• Serve immediately.

Now that you Know…

Pizza is tasty but can be unhealthy, except you make efforts to make the best of it, particularly if you prepare it yourself. By all means, practice the healthy measures that are discussed in this article. In all, portion control is vital, as excessive consumption of pizza is unhealthy, no matter how healthy you make the pizza.