Tips to Make Your Next Pizza Night a Little Healthier

While delicious and easy, we all know that pizza isn't the healthiest food option out there. It's typically high in simple carbs, fat, and heavily processed meats. But that doesn't mean you have to give up a slice or two! 

There are simple steps you can take to make this classic treat a healthier option. And if you are limited on time and want to have a quick, healthy option on hand, there are even a few dietitian recommended frozen pizzas. 

Tips for Making Homemade Pizza

• Make it thin-crust to cut down on carbs. Alternatively you can choose cauliflower crust.
• Load your pizza with veggies: arugula, mushrooms, onions, artichokes, basil, spinach, peppers, tomatoes, etc.
• Use lower fat cheese:
  • Part-skim Mozzarella is a naturally lower fat and higher protein cheese.
  • You can also look for lower fat or fat-free shredded cheese.
• Choose leaner protein options:
  • Chicken, Ham, Canadian bacon, Turkey pepperoni, Turkey sausage, Turkey Bacon, seafood.
• You’re already getting protein, fats, and carbs with your pizza. Add a side of non-starchy veggies to make it a balanced meal.
  • Leafy greens salad, Raw veggies with a light dip (hummus or lower calorie dressing), Roasted broccoli, etc.

Tips for Ordering Takeout Pizza

• Avoid getting stuffed or deep dish pizza. Choose thin crust instead.
• Add lots of veggies to your pizza. 
• Choose leaner protein options like chicken or turkey. 
• Order a salad with your pizza – adds fiber and helps get you fuller faster.

Tips for Choosing Frozen Pizza at the Store

• Look for thin crust pizza.
• Add extra vegetables to the pizza before you bake it.
• Brands to look for that have healthy lower carb, higher protein pizza options:
  • Banza Pizza
  • Quest Pizza
  • CauliPower Pizza

Aleksandr Gavrilov, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist at the Excela Health Well-Being Center