What type of pizza is healthy

Meanwhile, bell peppers provide fiber: 1 cup contains over 3 g, according to the USDA , which is almost 11 percent of your DV. Fiber fills you up and maintains digestive health , according to the Mayo Clinic. By going the thin-crust route, your main focus of the meal is the veggies, rather than the bread. Why that matters: Eating a more plant-based diet is an all-around healthy way to eat. For example, a study published in August in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that people eating mostly plant-based diets, with a focus on vegetables, nuts , whole grains, fruits, and legumes, had lower odds of dying from a heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular-related diseases, compared with people who ate more animal-based foods.

A thin crust has other perks, too. One slice of a small thin-crust pizza with no cheese has calories and mg sodium, according to the USDA. Meanwhile, a small slice of thick-crust pizza with no cheese has calories and mg sodium, according to the USDA. So to fill up on more veggies — the MVPs of your pizza — and lower your calories and sodium, thin crust is your best bet. Most pizza lovers will tell you that cheese is essential for a good pie. The same portion of whole-milk mozzarella contains 85 calories, 6 g total fat, 4 g saturated fat, and mg calcium, for 11 percent of the DV.

Comparatively, 1 oz of whole-milk ricotta has about 50 calories, 4 g total fat, 2 g saturated fat, and 72 mg calcium, for 6 percent of the DV. Pizza pros include the fact that it offers calcium from cheese and disease-fighting lycopene from tomatoes.

And pizza crust made with whole-wheat flour including whole white wheat flour is healthier than regular white crust, as it offers whole grains and fiber and is digested more slowly than refined grains. Photos: 10 foods that are healthy, except when they aren't. Dark chocolate is rich in cocoa solids, which contain compounds known as flavonolds. At high levels, cocoa flavanols have been shown to help lower blood pressure and cholesterol, improve cognition and possibly lower the risk of diabetes.

But limit your portions to about 1 ounce a day. Hide Caption. When it comes to fat and calories, some cheeses are lighter than others. Experts recommend using it as a flavor enhancer rather than as the focus of a meal. Granola contains healthy ingredients such as oats, nuts and dried fruit, and it can serve as a tasty topping to yogurt or cereal. But since it can pack up to calories per cup thanks to sugar and other ingredient treats , it's important to sprinkle, not pour.

I've covered health and nutrition my entire career, so I know how to separate science from hype. Whether it's about food labels, sunscreen, or food safety, my goal is to deliver information that makes following a healthy lifestyle easier. Healthy cooking is a favorite hobby, and friends think I'm crazy, but I can happily spend hours grocery shopping. Follow me on Twitter.

Sign In. Become a Member. Remember Me. Forgot username or password? Not a member? Need further assistance? Please call Member Services at If you eat healthy most days, it's OK to veer off course and chow down on a greasy slice of pizza every now and then. It might just help you live an overall healthier lifestyle.

It also isn't going to make or break your health," says Amer. Stressing about eating your favorite slice of pizza, even if it's a meat lovers slice, won't help your health or sanity. The body uses calcium to help maintain strong bones and prevent the onset of osteoporosis, which can cause brittle and weak bones. I usually recommend asking for 'light' cheese because many pizza shops over-do it on this topping," says Amer.

If you don't enjoy eating your vegetables from a pile on your plate, try placing them atop your pizza. When combined with cheese, sauce, and dough, vegetables can take on a whole new life. While Amer doesn't advise eating pizza for every meal, she does note that pizza can be a good way to eat your vegetables. The only caveat when opting for veggie toppings is to look out for fried vegetables like eggplant. This adds a ton more calories and fat, which isn't ideal for a well-balanced meal.

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