I actually love pizza! I can still remember when I was 13yrs old going to the “Original Ray’s” pizza in NYC with my cousin who lived in Greenwich Village. I had a slice with mozzarella and spinach and mushrooms and it was THE BEST slice I have ever eaten. Since then I really don’t eat pizza all that often, the memory of the slice and the experience is too great! And I really only eat pizza if I am in Italy or find myself in a city that touts a great pizza joint. But, it is also true that eating pizza on a regular basis is not really not the healthiest choice.
It was during quarantine, after we got tired of baking banana bread, sourdough bread, lasagna, and chilli that we started to experiment with pizza making. And we made it directly in the oven! When the weather got warmer we made it outside on our Weber grill. Homemade pizza is far healthier than what you get on the street.
Here are some easy ways to make pizza healthier:
Use whole wheat dough or a vegetable crust. A whole wheat pie is loaded with fiber. Stretch the dough to make a thin crust and you will have a lighter pizza. And if you choose a vegetable crust like cauliflower or broccoli you are getting the added bonus that what you are eating is lower in carbs.
Choose your sauce. Red sauces are healthy and a better choice than a creamy while alfredo sauce. You can make it on your own or if you use a jar, just check that the ingredients are healthy and not too much salt or sugar. You can also use a pesto which gives your pizza a less traditional flavor which you may enjoy.
Choose your cheese wisely. For a real cheese lover, there is nothing better than fresh whole milk mozzarella. You can still use it, just use less and spread it out. You will get the same great taste and flavor! And if you want to add another cheese you can add part-skim ricotta.
Add veggies. Layering your pizza with tons of veggies, whether grilled, sauteed or raw to the top layer (over the cheese) you will automatically make a healthy meal. Veggies add fiber, vitamins and nutrients.
Choose lean proteins. Rather than greasy pepperoni, you can opt for grilled chicken or turkey meatballs to top your pizza.
Adding a large salad to your pizza meal also is a tip as you can enjoy the salad greens and not have extra slices.
We’ve had so much fun making pizza together with family and friends. Everyone participates by cutting, chopping, and choosing the ingredients that they enjoy.
As I write this post, I am getting ready to take my daughter to school for her sophomore year. We had a “family dinner” last night with just the four of us and I am feeling a bit sentimental as we said our “temporary goodbyes”. So, as I talk about the art of pizza making with family and friends, I really treasure the time making one of my favorite meals and the strong relationships and bonds created have lasting health benefits. It is important to remember, while food fuels us, so does the power of relationships!