Eating a tasty Pizza is a pleasure for everyone, and we feel the same way. Pizza is a popular choice because it is easy to make, tastes great, is cheap, and can be used in a lot of different ways.

But if your favorite pizza has lots of thick cheese, pepperoni, and sausage on top, you might want to look into ways to make your favorite pie healthy.

People often say that the little things are where the devil is. If you want to keep your heart healthy, you might not want to pile a high-carb crust with toppings that are high in salt. Still, you’re on the right track when you choose whole-grain crusts, healthy fats, and sauces that are packed full of vitamins.

Pizza might get a bad name for being “unhealthy” sometimes, but the beauty of it is that it can be used in many ways.”You can easily turn it into a heart-healthy treat that is still very delicious.

Tips on how to make pizza healthy

Elevate your pizza game with these simple strategies in “How to Make Pizza Healthy” Explore smart ingredient choices, mindful pairings, and delicious nutrition, ensuring every slice delights both your taste buds and your well-being. It’s pizza night, upgraded!

Adding a lot of vegetables to your pizza will make it healthier.

Consider pizza not only as a tasty treat but also as a clever way to serve a lot of different veggies all at once. Experts say to put a lot of veggies on your pizza because they are full of fiber and important vitamins and minerals. This makes your pizza tasty and healthy.

If you’re not sure what vegetables go well with pizza, try a classic red sauce pizza with a mix of veggies like basil, mushrooms, artichokes, olives, peppers, and tomatoes. Not only does this mix taste great, but it also has many healthy nutrients that are generally good for you.

For example, Harvard Health Publishing and the USDA say that mushrooms are a great way to get vitamin B3 (niacin). The Mayo Clinic says that 3 mg of niacin, which is 21% of your daily value (DV), can be found in one cup of sliced raw brown mushrooms. This vitamin is very useful and is very important for keeping your skin, digestive system, and brain system healthy.

In addition, bell peppers have a lot of vitamin C. The USDA says that 100 grams of peppers have 142 mg of vitamin C, which is more than 150% of the daily suggested intake (DV).If you’re not sure what to put on your pizza, think about adding more veggies for a healthy and filling meal.

If you want to lose weight, choose thin-crust pizza.

If you want to make pizza at home or order it, choosing a thin crust is a good idea. Why? “Thin crust allows you to enjoy more veggies before feeling full,” experts say.

If you choose a thin-crust pizza, the veggies will be the star of your meal instead of the bread. Changing your food to include more plants is a healthy choice, so this is important.

According to research, people who eat mostly plant-based foods like veggies, nuts, whole grains, fruits, and legumes are less likely to have heart attacks, strokes, and other heart-related diseases than people who eat more animal-based foods.

There are more benefits to thin skin. “Choosing thin crust over thick or stuffed crust can help reduce your overall calorie and sodium intake,” experts say.

For example, the USDA says that a small thin-crust cheese pizza slice has 230 calories and 564 mg of salt. A small piece of thick-crust cheese pizza, on the other hand, has 312 calories and 687 mg of sodium, according to the USDA.

Watch the cheese you pick out if you want to cut down on saturated fat.

Cheese is something that most pizza lovers think is necessary for a tasty pie. Still, it’s very important to know what kind of cheese you’re using.

Cheese is good for you because it has protein and calcium, but you should watch how much you add because it has heavy fat. To keep the amount of saturated fat low, choose 2% or part-skim mozzarella, or even skim ricotta.

The following list shows the nutritional information for these types of cheese, which usually have less fat than whole-milk cheeses:

One ounce of low-fat cottage cheese has 72 calories, 4.51 grams of total fat, 2.87 grams of saturated fat, and 222 mg of calcium, which is 17% of the Daily Value (DV). Whole-milk mozzarella, on the other hand, has 85 calories, 6 grams of total fat, 4 grams of saturated fat, and 143 mg of calcium, which is 11% of the DV. Part-Skim Ricotta Cheese has 39.1 calories, 2.24 grams of total fat, 1.4 grams of saturated fat, and 77.1 mg of calcium per ounce, which is about 6% of the daily value. Source.

Whole-milk ricotta, on the other hand, has about 43 calories, 2 grams of total fat, 2 grams of saturated fat, and 58 mg of calcium, which is 5% of the daily value.

Professionals enjoy ricotta cheese on pizza. Experts say the best way to make pizza right now is to put these vegetables on top of a base of ricotta cheese and then bake or grill it on a pizza stone.

For more nutrition, choose a whole-wheat crust. For less carbs, choose a veggie crust.

It’s important to think about both thin and thick crusts and the type of dough you use, whether you make pizza at home or order it. “If you’re able to opt for a whole-grain crust, you’ll benefit from a boost in dietary fiber,” experts say.

Let’s look at a comparison of each slice. From what the USDA knows, a small whole-wheat thin-crust pizza with cheese has more than 3 grams of fiber. The USDA also says that a small standard thin-crust pizza with cheese has less than 1 gram of fiber.

The whole wheat crust has almost 11% of your daily value (DV) for fiber, while the standard crust only has about 3%. “Starting with a healthier crust can make a difference, although you’ll still need to pay attention to your overall portion size,” they say.

Another great choice is veggie crusts. “I like the different kinds of pizza crusts that you can buy or make at home, like cauliflower, broccoli, and beet crusts, because they make pizza night more fun.” “Experts say you can eat them with regular crusts to get more vegetables and enjoy them.” To make your food more interesting, you could have a slice of pizza with regular crust and a slice of pizza with veggie crust.

In addition, veggie crusts are low in carbs and high in fiber. As an example, the USDA says that each slice of frozen cauliflower crust has about 3 grams of carbs and just under 1 gram of fiber.

Choose Low-Sugar Pre-Made Sauces Wisely.

Examine the sugar content of the pre-made pizza sauce before purchasing. Choose sauces that have no or very little sugar, no sodium, and no preservatives. Stores like Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods provide great selections that fit these requirements.

Low-sugar sauces enhance the pizza’s natural flavors, making it a healthier option. Reducing sugar consumption improves general health and makes it possible for the other ingredients to stand out without being overly sweet.

By making this straightforward change, your pizza’s nutritious content can be considerably increased while still tasting fantastic. Make a deliberate decision for a tastier and healthier pizza experience the next time you shop for pizza sauce.

Make your own sauce

You can control how much sugar and salt are in your pizza sauce if you make it from scratch. A lot of store-bought tomato recipes have extra salt and sugar that aren’t needed. Who needs more sugar anyway?

Browse the web for ideas or pick tomato sauce that says “no added sugar” on the package. Instead of adding more salt or sugar, use herbs and spices to make your sauce taste better. As a starting point, you could use garlic powder, oregano, basil leaves, crushed red pepper flakes, or onion powder.

Homemade tomato sauce not only tastes better, but it also contains lycopene, an antioxidant and heart-healthy vitamin. By making your own sauce, you not only get better taste, but you also make a healthier choice that keeps the sodium and sugar levels in your pizza in check.

Pick lean proteins like chicken over pepperoni, which is high in fat and sodium.

The cheese on your pizza gives it protein on its own, but many pizza fans like to add another source of protein to their pies. You need to be careful about which protein toppings you pick.

Cut back on fatty foods. Make a vegetarian choice or stick to leaner meats like chicken breast, seafood, or extra-lean cuts of meat.

The need to limit the consumption of processed meats like sausage and pepperoni is stressed in current recommendations because they are not only rich in sodium but also saturated fat. The American Heart Association (AHA) also says that prepared red meats like salami and sausages should be eaten in moderation.

As an example, the USDA says that a big slice of thin-crust pizza with extra vegetables has 5.5 grams of saturated fat and 704 milligrams of sodium. The USDA says that a big slice of thin-crust pizza with extra meat has over 8 grams of saturated fat and 874 milligrams of sodium.

Add a healthy side dish to your pie to finish off your meal.

It’s not just the pizza that makes pizza night fun; it’s also the sides that make the meal complete.

You might want to start with a starter of vegetables. “Before you eat the pizza, it’s great if you snack on cut-up vegetables.

Experts say that for the main meal, you should have two slices of thin-crust pizza and a side salad. “The vegetables in the salad provide valuable fiber, which contributes to a feeling of fullness,” she says.

For example, the USDA says that 1 cup of raw kale has 1 gram of fiber. Cut up some carrots and cucumbers and add them to the mix. Then, dress it with lemon juice, olive oil, and a pinch of salt for a nice taste. In the end, you have a filling, high-fiber meal that goes great with your pizza.

Add Fresh Herbs

Adding fresh herbs like rosemary, oregano, and basil to your pizza makes it taste better without adding extra calories. The earthy richness of oregano, the woody pineiness of rosemary, and the sweet, spicy notes of basil all make your pizza taste better. Because these plants are low in calories, they can be used instead of toppings that are high in calories.

Also, they are full of vitamins, which are good for your health in general. Flavonoids and essential oils in basil are good for you because they fight free radicals. Rosmarinic acid and thymol are found in large amounts in oregano. Rosmarinic acid and carnosic acid are found in large amounts in rosemary. These antioxidants protect your body from toxic stress, lower inflammation, and make your immune system stronger.

Herbs help digestion, which makes that pizza pain go away. They can be used with a lot of different toppings and look great, making your pizza look better overall. With just a dash of herbs, you can make your pizza taste better and make it healthier.

You can get more out of your pizza by eating it with a cool salad.

Make a colorful salad with dark leafy greens, lots of different colored veggies, and an olive oil-based dressing that is good for your heart. When you eat pizza and salad together, the flavors, textures, and nutrients all work well together, making your meal a more enjoyable and healthy treat. The fresh and crisp parts of the salad go well with the richness of the pizza, making your meal not only healthy but also a lot of fun.

Mindfully eat to enjoy your food

It’s not just about the food on your pizza night plate; it’s also about how you eat it. Take your time and enjoy the taste of your food. Professionals say you should take your time and enjoy every bite of pizza instead of eating it quickly. This method can also help you keep track of your expenses. It’s easier to listen to your body when you eat slowly. This way, you’ll know when you’re full without going overboard.

Also, don’t forget to enjoy the company of the people you’re eating with.Maybe every Friday night in your house is now pizza night. Experts say that you should think about all the wonderful memories that will be made. What does this matter? “Research consistently highlights the health benefits of friendships, social connections, and the bond within a family,” they point out.

Harvard Health Publishing says that having strong relationships and social ties can improve your health and make you live longer, which is a win-win situation. According to another study, having social ties was very important for improving the health of people who had long-term health conditions.

Last words

You have everything you need to turn your pizza into a healthy treat that tastes just as good. By doing the things above, you can enjoy your best pie without feeling bad about it while also taking care of your body. Every choice you make for better nutrition, like eating lots of vegetables that are high in nutrients and lean meats and whole-wheat crusts, is a choice for better health.

Choose organic and low-sugar sauces, or make your own sauce from home. For a complete meal, eat your pizza with a side salad. It can also make a big difference to take things slowly and enjoy the journey. Don’t forget that even the drink you choose is important.

If you follow these tips, your pizza night will not only be a fun event but also good for your heart, whether you make your own pizza or order takeout. Have fun with your tasty and healthy pizza trip!