Make it Better Pizza Tips:
Americans have gotten used to “white” pizza, a thick-crusted pie, with an inch-thick layer of cheese on top, sometimes layered with high fat pepperoni or heart-rending sausage, and signifies tons of calories, grams of saturated fat and way salty. Make your pizza muto benne, Italian-style, with a crispy crust, and full of flavor, not to mention fiber too. Lower the fat calories by substituting lower-fat cheeses, use more flavorful Parmesan reggiano instead of lots of white mozzarella, and layer on the veggies...diced small (fresh) or grilled peppers, onions, zucchini, tomatoes, yum!
enjoy—something crispy and fiber-full, make it delicious! Make it low in saturated fat and loaded with fiber by incorporating all types of veggies—and even fruit! Boost the fiber content by 50% by switching to whole-wheat flour, and using low-fat mozzarella and ricotta instead of full-fat regular cheese-this will drastically lower saturated fat and cholesterol. Don’t be stingy—add lots veggies for extra fiber and nutrients. And don’t forget the fruit—pears, apples and pineapple make great toppings too! If you’re dining out, make yourself heard—I want it with half the cheese, double the veggies, please. Skip the high fat pepperoni and pile on the artichoke hearts. My favorite topping is anchovies, a bit of fresh-grated Parmesan cheese, plus diced tomatoes and roasted red peppers. The tomato sauce that is spread over the crust is rich in vitamins and contains a powerful phytochemical called lycopene which protects against certain cancers. The vegetables on the pizza are a good source of vitamins, minerals and fiber. By choosing fish like anchovies or seafood like shrimp on your pizza instead of meaty toppings you get lots of good quality protein without the high saturated fat content. Fish and shellfish are also a good source of health-promoting omega-3 fat. The crust supplies your body with energy-giving carbohydrates, B-vitamins and dietary fiber. And because the pizza isn't drowned in cheese you get the benefits of the protein and calcium it contains without ingesting too much saturated fat.
