By Donna V. Scaglione
As many as 3 billion pizzas are sold each year in the United States. That means a lot of Americans are eating a food that is notoriously bad for them — gooey cheese and piles of pepperoni on top of thick, doughy crust.
However, creative nutrition experts will tell you that a pizza provides a great opportunity for a healthy meal, especially if it’s made in an authentically Italian style: thin crust, touch of olive oil, abundance of cooked tomatoes. In fact, a study of Italian foods done several years ago found that pizza had the “most cancer-prevention promise” of them all, WebMD reports.
Here’s what to keep in mind the next time you build your own pie.
1. Roll a thinner crust
Thick pizza crusts offer too many starch calories, and starch can spike blood sugar levels. Thin, whole-grain crusts have more protein and fiber, which will actually keep you fuller longer. Find uncooked whole-wheat dough in your grocer’s freezer or refrigerated section, or make your own dough from scratch. The American Dietetic Association offers a tasty, salt-free recipe made with extra virgin olive oil.
To make your crust more nutritious, sprinkle wheat germ or flaxseed meal on your dough, Runner’s World suggests.
