8 Easy Ways to Make Pizza Night Healthier

Pizza is a tasty way to get a lot of vegetables in one dish. Include as many greens as you can. They are an excellent source of fiber and several essential nutrients.

1. Nutritionists Recommend Adding Vegetables While Ordering Pizza

What combinations of vegetables might make a tasty pie? But the winning combination: Tomatoes, peppers, onions, mushrooms, artichoke hearts, olives, basil, and anything else that strikes my fancy go well with red sauce pizza. Their union is perfect. This method ensures you consume a meal rich in all the vital nutrients your body needs.

Mushrooms are an excellent vitamin B3 (niacin) source, with only one cup providing 3mg or 21% of the daily intake. It's a multivitamin. Thus, it aids in maintaining digestive, skin, and neurological system health.

Meanwhile, bell peppers are high in fiber: The USDA reports that a single cup provides more than 3g or about 11 percent of your Direct value. The Mayo Clinic states that dietary fiber aids with satiety and digestive health.

Thus, if you want a hearty, nutrient-rich pie, just add more vegetables.

2. Thin-crust Pizzas are Healthier if you're Watching your Weight

Choose a thin-crust pizza whenever possible, whether ordering it or cooking it at home. A thinner crust will allow you to eat more vegetables before feeling full.

The thin crust allows the vegetables to shine rather than the bread. For what it's worth, that is: Plant-based diets have been shown to have several health benefits.

If you're watching your calorie and salt intake, thin-crust pizza is the way to go since you can stuff yourself with extra vegetables. 

3. Choose your Cheese Wisely if you're Watching your fat Intake

Most pizza fans agree that cheese is crucial to the flavor of their pie. Nonetheless, one must exercise caution when deciding which cheese to use.

Cheese adds protein and calcium to your diet, but watch the serving size since it's also high in saturated fat. Use 2 percent mozzarella, part-skim mozzarella, or skim ricotta for a lower-fat alternative.

These cheeses have less fat than their whole-milk equivalents; their nutritional information is below.

Part Skim Mozzarella

According to the USDA, 1 ounce (oz) contains −

• 72 calories

• 4.51g total fat

• 2.87g saturated fat

• 222mg calcium, which is 17% of the DV

For reference, a single ounce of whole-milk ricotta has roughly 50 calories, 4g of total fat, 2g of saturated fat, and 72mg of calcium, or about 6% of the daily value.

4. Use a Veggie Crust or one made from Whole Wheat if you're Watching your carb Intake

It's vital to consider the kind of dough, not only the thickness of the crust while preparing pizza at home or ordering it out.

A whole-grain crust is a great way to increase your fiber intake.

Have a look at the differences between the slices here. More than 3g of fiber are in a small whole-wheat thin-crust pizza topped with cheese. Instead, a small average thin-crust pizza with additional cheese includes 1.5g of fiber. Compared to a white flour crust, which only has 5% of your daily value of fiber, whole wheat has over 11%. While portion control is still the most important, choosing a healthier crust may help.

5. Instead of Pepperoni, Which is High in Sodium and fat, go for a Lean Protein like Chicken

Your pizza has protein from the cheese, but many pizza eaters add another protein source, so think carefully about what you put on top.

It's best to stay away from fatty foods. Either go meatless or stick to thinner cuts of meat like chicken breast, shellfish, or extra-lean ground beef.

Sodium and saturated fat content make processed meats like bacon, sausage, and pepperoni prime candidates for dietary restrictions. The American Heart Association suggests limiting processed red meats such as bacon, salami, and sausages to reduce cardiovascular disease risk.

6. Spread on the Red Sauce; it's Packed With all the Necessary Vitamins and Minerals

Red sauce not only improves pizza's flavor, but it also provides significant nutritional value. Traditional red sauce is a good source of lycopene, vitamin A, and vitamin C. For instance, a quarter cup of tomato-based sauce has about 7mg of vitamin C, approximately 7.8%, and 21mg of vitamin A, or about 2% of the DV, as reported by the USDA. Vitamin A, on the other hand, is crucial for several bodily processes, including eyesight and maintaining a healthy immune system.

There are various choices for those who prefer not to eat with red sauce. Kimberlain recommends a pesto that has heart-healthy oils and almonds. Pine nuts, a vital ingredient in pesto (almonds and walnuts are also acceptable), have been linked to various health benefits, including a reduction in LDL (bad cholesterol) and a strengthening of the artery wall.

7. Have a Slice of Pie With Vegetables to Round out your Meal

You need more than pizza for a successful pizza night. Kimberlain argues that the side dishes are crucial in making a dinner well-rounded.

Eat some cut-up vegetables with a yogurt-based ranch dip before the pizza. I prefer to chew on cut-up veggies before pizza, like celery, cucumber, and carrots.

She recommends two pieces of thin-crust pizza with a side salad for supper. Fiber, found in abundance in veggies, is one factor in their ability to keep you satisfied for longer.

8. Take your Time and Enjoy your meal and the Company of your Fellow Diners

Although pizza night calls for careful consideration of what goes onto your plate, you need also consider how quickly you devour it. Consume each bite mindfully and fully appreciate the food's taste. Kimberlain recommends taking time with the meal rather than wolfing it down in a few minutes. Even this may help you control your calorie intake. Eating slowly enables you to recognize fullness and prevents overeating. You may eat slowly until complete since the pizza contains your daily food groups.