Is Pizza a Healthy Choice?

Is pizza a complete meal? Does it have enough protein? I encourage you to read more below so you can optimize your pizza experience. And no, cauliflower crust usually isn’t the answer. 

Pizza can have all of the components of a healthy and balanced meal and may in fact be a better choice when it comes to fast food. 

Don’t let gimmicky crust options fool you - cauliflower crust is a primary example. A lot of restaurants are using this as an option, and the ingredients are sometimes worse than regular. Don’t ever assume it’s made of pure cauliflower either - often it’s regular high carb gluten-free or regular flour mixed with a small amount of pureed cauliflower with a hefty $5.00 upcharge. There are some excellent brands out there and wonderful homemade recipes - encourage you to read ingredients and compare the nutritional facts before deciding if it’s worth the upcharge. Gluten-free is often more carbohydrates, so please be mindful of this when choosing. 

Contrary to what we’ve been led to believe, pizza isn’t “fattening” because of the fat content in the cheese and meat. It is in fact the crust and sugary sauce that is converting into fat because of the excessive amount of refined carbohydrates. The protein and cheese in pizza will actually help to decrease the effects of the carbohydrates. 

Here are some PIZZA TIPS for a healthier blood sugar balancing experience:

-eat a salad or vegetable side BEFORE eating the pizza. If you don’t, you’ll easily eat double the pizza. 

-order THIN crust and load the toppings on. Remember, a serving is usually only two slices (your pizza box will also tell you this so don’t get mad at the messenger :) 

-add extra protein if there is an option, or order a side to accompany the pizza that has protein (try a side salad with grilled chicken or shrimp added). 

-avoid ordering a “veggie” pizza if there are no other sources of protein in the meal. In this case, I would rather see more protein added than the few diced-up veggies on there. 

-leave some of the crust behind if you are eating more than two slices. Focus on the parts with the toppings on and leave the end pieces of the crust. 

-use a high-fibre, low-carb pizza crust such as @unbun, and worry less about the number of slices. Many restaurants now carry this option to suit keto and gluten-free lifestyles. 

SUMMARY

BEST OPTION? Be in control of what is going on top of the pizza and make it yourself. Choose a crust with more fibre and less total net carbohydrates if possible. Load the meat up and make sure to add those extra veggies on the side for added fibre to slow the digestion and glucose response. I always accompany my pizza with a salad whenever possible. The fibre from the salad can help to reduce the drastic blood sugar spike that will follow due to the dense refined carbohydrates from the pizza crust and sauce. Adding protein to the pizza will also help to stabilize blood sugar more. 

Remember that it’s okay to have excess carbs once in a while, but I want you to understand how to make healthier modifications too!

Blog Post Title Two

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.

Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.

Blog Post Title Three

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.

Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.

Blog Post Title Four

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.

Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.