According to the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, as many as 117 million American adults are suffering from one or more chronic illnesses. These chronic illnesses are in part due to a lack of physical activity and an unbalanced diet.
Are you looking to eat more well-balanced meals? Did you know that eating pizza can be healthy for you?
This guide will explain all of the benefits of pizza. Keep reading to learn what they are.
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Pizza Sauce Is Good For Your Immune System
While you might think eating pizza isn’t part of a healthy diet it actually is! The sauce used to make pizzas is full of vitamins you need for a healthy body.
The vitamin C found in tomatoes is what helps you fight against the viruses that give you a cold. If the pizza sauce also has oregano you’ll get an added immunity boost.
Both of these ingredients help fight against symptoms like fever, cough, and a runny nose.
You Can Choose Healthy Toppings
Another health benefit of pizza is that you can choose to top it with the healthiest ingredients. While you can find mac & cheese or burgers as a pizza topping these days, traditional pizzas are made with simpler and healthier ingredients.
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When ordering or making your own pizza opt for fresh vegetables to turn your pizza into a healthy and well-balanced meal. Red peppers, mushrooms, spinach are all vegetables with the nutrients your body needs.
Spinach itself is high in folate which can help with brain function. While high levels of vitamin K found in spinach can increase serotonin levels and improve mood.
With a meal that includes meat, veggies, fruits, and grains, you’ll be getting your dose of nutrients from all of the major food groups.
A Thin Crust Cuts Down on Carbs
There are many different types of pizza to choose from and not all of them are healthy. A deep-dish pizza covered in cheese and pepperoni might not be the healthiest meal but with a few different choices, your pizza can be nutritious.
When choosing ingredients for your pizza make sure to opt for the thin crust. With a thinner crust, you’ll be enjoying more of the healthy veggie toppings and eating less bread.
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A lower-carb meal and one with fewer calories is better for your health. A more plant-based diet will decrease your chances of developing chronic illnesses like heart disease.
It Can Provide a Good Source of Protein
Protein is an important nutrient every person needs to survive. Protein will provide you with muscle strength, helps you develop important connective tissues, and provides necessary antibodies.
You can get the necessary source of protein for the day with a healthy pizza. The cheese on your pizza has some protein in it.
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You can also add more protein on top of your pizza. Try to stick to a more lean protein like chicken or seafood and avoid processed meats like bacon or sausage.
Healthy Cheese Is a Good Source of Calcium
Other pizza benefits include delicious cheese. Besides providing you with the necessary protein for tissue repair, cheese is also a great source of calcium.
You need calcium in your diet to develop strong teeth and bones and you can get that from the cheese in your pizza. While some fat is good for your diet, try to avoid too much of the saturated fat in cheese.
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One way to do is is by opting for cheese that is lower in fat like part-skim mozzarella or ricotta.
Opt for Whole Wheat or Veggie Crusts
Traditional Italian pizzas are made with simple and healthy pizza ingredients. The ones at Civico by the Park are made with a whole wheat crust for a more well-balanced meal.
A whole-wheat crust helps to lower the number of carbs you’ll eat so you won’t have to worry about eating too much bread. A whole-wheat crust is also high in fiber, a necessary nutrient for good health. More fiber will fill you up faster so you won’t be tempted to eat as much.
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Veggie crusts made from cauliflower or broccoli are also low on carbs and high on fiber.
Choosing a Healthy Side Can Help
You can also balance out your meal when eating pizza by adding a healthy side to it. You can try cutting some veggies like cucumbers or carrots paired with some low-fat yogurt dip or hummus.
You can also opt for a side salad made with lots of greens like kale and spinach. Add some more colorful veggies like carrots or sweet bell peppers. Mix it with a light olive oil-based dressing.
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A healthy side dish will help you eat fewer slices of pizza so you can feel fuller faster.
Comfort Food Can Be Good For Your Diet
The best pizza might not be perfectly healthy, your favorite might be a deep dish topped with bacon, but that’s ok. Enjoying some cravings from time to time is better for your diet and fitness goals.
The point of vowing to eat healthier is to find a balance and rewarding yourself with foods you love when you need them.
The Benefits of Pizza Explained
If you love pizza you’ll be happy to hear that it’s quite healthy for you. Some of the benefits of pizza are listed in the guide above.
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You can top yours with lots of veggies that are loaded with many important nutrients and choose a whole wheat crust for more fiber.
If you found this article helpful make sure to browse our online magazine for some more healthy lifestyle tips! We have a lot of other food-related blogs on the site.