Pizza is an American favorite. There are nearly 70,000 pizza shops across the country from which we gobble 350 slices per second. In fact, each man, woman, and child in the U.S. swallows an average of 46 slices (23 pounds!) of pizza per year. But here’s the head-scratcher: 34% of us are obese compared with only 9% of the people in Italy, where pizza is just as popular. So can we still enjoy our fave food without looking in the mirror and screaming “Mama Mia!”? Sure can—here are some delicious ideas to try.
Keep it simple. If you ever visit Naples, the birthplace of pizza, you’ll be surprised at how simply it’s made—a thin, wholesome crust, a smear of homemade tomato sauce, a sprinkling of fresh cheese, and a pinch of basil. Order the basic pie wherever you go and you’ll generally avoid loading up on calories and fat. Don’t think of it as “plain”; it’s authentic.
Order the way you want to look. Instead of the “deep dish” or “large pan,” go for the “medium thin” or Pizza Hut’s “Fit ’n’ Delicious.” How pies are described (monster, mega, stuffed, feast…) can provide clues to their nutritional content. Always order the thinnest crust available to cut down on calories and carbs, and make it whole wheat if that’s an option (like at Papa John’s).
Ask for “double half.” That’s double the tomato sauce and half the usual amount of cheese. The lycopene in tomato products can help reduce cancer risk, and less cheese means less artery-clogging fat. Trust us—it’ll taste just as good.
Add your own toppings. Pepperoni is America’s favorite (it’s on 36% of all pizzas), but just four slices of the meat has 108 calories. When getting takeout or delivery, dress it yourself with veggies or more healthful Canadian bacon or turkey pepperoni.
Eat with a knife and fork. When compared with the “fold-and-stuff” method, this slows down your eating so you’ll feel fuller faster. And it’s not blasphemy either; it’s how they eat pizza in Italy.
Stick to the two-slice rule. When teamed with a salad, two slices is a perfectly reasonable portion. No matter how appealing, resist ordering “personal” or “individual” pizzas because you’ll be more likely to eat it all. One example: Uno’s Chicago Classic Deep Dish Individual Pizza slams you with 2,310 calories, 162 grams of fat, and 4,200 milligrams of sodium if you eat it all—it’s actually meant to be three servings!
Make your own. The easiest way is to buy Boboli 100% Whole Wheat Thin Crust, add tomato sauce, part-skim mozzarella, and your favorite toppings. Or, if you have a little more time, buy a ball of your local pizzeria’s homemade dough (just ask—many places sell it), roll it out, bake (or grill), then decorate. For the evening, insist that everyone call you Giovanna.
Decadent (yet smart!) desserts
