Make It a Healthy Slice

Clients and friends often ask me what they can do about their love for pizza when trying to eat healthier. My answer, as for most foods, is “everything in moderation.” Pizza is actually a healthy choice — it has carbs, protein, and veggies — if you choose wisely.

For the most Nutritioulicious™ pizza, follow these tips:

• Choose whole wheat crust if available
• Get a veggie slice, or if sharing a pie with friends add vegetables like broccoli, mushrooms, peppers, and onions as toppings
• Don’t get extra cheese
• Skip the pepperoni, sausage, and hamburger toppings
• Start with a mixed salad, which will fill you up and help you limit your pizza intake to one or two slices
• Go for the thin crust and steer clear of deep dish and stuffed crust varieties
• Stick with tomato sauce, rather than a white pizza without sauce

Some stats for you:

• Average slice of cheese pizza has 250-270 calories, 10 grams fat
• Average slice of thin crust cheese pizza has 190-200 calories, 10 grams fat
• Slice of Pizza Hut Thin ‘N Crispy Veggie Lover’s pizza has 240 calories, 9 grams fat
• Slice of Pizza Hut Hand-Tossed Meat Lover’s pizza has 450 calories, 24 grams fat
• California Pizza Kitchen’s BBQ Chicken pizza (whole pie) has 1060 calories (CPK does not disclose fat grams)
• One serving of Uno Chicago Grill Deep Dish Cheese & Tomato pizza has 580 calories, 40 grams fat

Stay tuned for my review of Kashi frozen pizza. What’s your favorite type of pizza?