There are few things more satisfying than a pizza. The warm, cheesy goodness of a slice of pizza is one of the best comfort foods out there. It’s also a fun, inexpensive, and relatively easy meal to make at home.
Perhaps the only downside to pizza is the health factor. That perfect mix of crust, sauce, cheese and toppings can be high in both fat and calories, making it feel like quite a splurge.
There are some simple solutions you can take when binging on pizza that will leave you feeling satisfied but without the guilt. Here are 7 ways to make your pizza healthier at home.
#1. Do it yourself
There are many ways to reduce the fat, carbs and calories in pizza. By making your pizza entirely at home, you have complete control over what ingredients are used and can be assured that your pizza is as healthy and satisfying as possible.
Skip frozen pizza and store-bought dough and take the time to create your own personalized pie. Instead of buying canned tomato paste, buy some delicious juicy tomatoes and make a simple tomato sauce from them.
You can pack your sauce with garlic, onions, mushrooms or other vegetables of your choice to add an extra punch. You can even try making your own pesto sauce and adding some omega-3s and dark leafy greens.
#2. Whole grain
Making your own crust gives you more options for your crust. To reduce carbs and calories, choose a thin whole-grain crust.
A thin crust gives your pizza a delicious crunch and lets the toppings really shine. Whole wheat is also more nutritious, so you may need fewer slices to feel satisfied.
#3. Cauliflower crust
If you feel like making your own crust and are adventurous, try cutting back on the carbs by making a Crispy Cauliflower Crust. You can easily achieve this by grating cauliflower and combining it with an egg and cheese. This option makes you feel lighter and has the added benefit of being gluten-free.
#4. Cut the cheese
One of the tastiest, but least healthy aspects of pizza is the cheese. It may not look like pizza if it doesn’t have cheese, but removing the cheese from the pizza can yield surprising results.
Pizza without cheese ensures that delicious vegetable combinations really come into their own. Adding artichoke or tomato really helps to enhance the flavor. You can also add a delicious cheese substitute, nutritional yeast. Nutritional yeast is a healthy, super flavorful, high-protein alternative that is very similar to Parmesan cheese. Try it and you might be surprised.
#5. Selecting the right cheese
If you can’t part with the cheese but still want a healthier pie, don’t worry. Keep this in mind when making your dairy choice. Instead of opting for the convenient packages of grated cheese, which contain more calories and more preservatives, you can opt for fresh mozzarella. Freshly sliced cheese is more flavorful and covers more of your pizza. You can also add goat cheese. It is creamy and contains less fat than other cheese options.
#6. Think green
Greens make the perfect addition to a hot pizza. They are tasty and packed with great health benefits. Kale, for example, is a great source of fiber, protein and vitamins.
It also tastes delicious on pizza. Spinach, broccoli and chard are also great toppings. Dark green can add an extra dimension to your pizza and develop a fuller flavor profile. Play with different combinations of fruits and vegetables.
#7. Load up on veggies
Adding more toppings is probably the most fun way to increase the health factor of your pizza. The most important thing is that you are purposeful in your selection. When choosing proteins, consider lean options.
Think about the different benefits of each topping and practice portion control. If you choose strong, tasty flavors, you may need less than you think to make a truly excellent pizza.