Pizza is one of the fast foods of many people in the world. With a combination of crust, ketchup, and mozzarella cheese, it has satisfied even the most demanding customers. However, pizza is an unhealthy food high in calories, sodium, and carbs. This article is from a nutritionist’s perspective to evaluate the nutrition of pizzas. From there will answer the question is pizza good for health? Is pizza bad for you?
Nutritional Breakdown
Depending on the type of pizza, the ingredients and nutrition of the cake are different. There should be some pizzas that are loaded with unhealthy ingredients:
Frozen Pizza
Frozen pizza is a staple for college students and busy families. This dish is high in calories, sugar, and sodium. This dish is processed and contains many preservatives, sugar, and fats that are not good for human health.
For example, one serving (1/4 pizza) of Red Baron Classic Crust Pepperoni frozen pizza contains (1):
- Calories: 380
- Fat: 18 grams
- Carbs: 39 grams
- Sugar: 8 grams
- Sodium: 810 mg — 34% of the Reference Daily Intake (RDI)
Frozen pizza topped with sausages, cheeses, etc. increases the calorie content. And in French bread and crust varieties there can be even more.
Freshly Made Pizzeria Pizza
Pizza made at a pizzeria has a different recipe and ingredients than frozen pizza. The nutritional content of pizza is not always listed. But there are some pizzerias that provide full information to customers.
Freshly made pizza contains healthier ingredients than the pizzas prepared in convenience stores and fast food. Most pizzerias make their dough from scratch with ingredients like flour and olive oil. Some restaurants use homemade sauces without adding fresh cheese, sugar, or other toppings.
Whether you choose frozen or fresh pizza, there are many toppings on the cake. This can be unhealthy, so you need to be careful when selecting a fast food restaurant outside.
Fast-Food Pizza
Most Pizzas sold in fast food restaurants are unhealthy choices. Fast food pizza is high in calories, unhealthy fats, high sodium, and carbs.
- One large slice (167 grams) of Pizza Hut Pepperoni Lovers Pizza provides (2):
- Calories: 460
- Fat: 26 grams
- Carbs: 37 grams
- Sugar: 1 gram
- Sodium: 900 mg — 38% of the RDI
In fast-food pizza, there are many ingredients that have negative effects on health: such as high-fructose corn syrup, monosodium glutamate (MSG), and artificial coloring.
So fast food pizza and frozen pizza both contain a lot of calories, fat, sodium, processed, colorants, and preservatives, .. may contain unhealthy ingredients.
Is Pizza a Healthy Choice?
Some types of pizza are not healthy, but others are less processed and can be very nutritious
Can Contain Unhealthy Ingredients
Processed pizzas often contain many substances that are not good for human health. All snack pizzas and frozen pizzas are made with refined flour. This flour is lower in fiber and less filling than whole-grain flour, which has been linked to weight gain.
According to a study of more than 1352 people who eat more than 70 grams of fast food such as pizza daily, they gain more belly fat than those who eat less than 70 grams per day.
Some Types Are High in Calories, Carbs, Sodium, and Sugar
Most pizzas are topped with cheese, savory meats, and other high-calorie varieties, so pizza is high in calories and sodium. In addition, some pizzas have added sugar in the crust, and sauce on top of the cake.
Regular consumption of food products made from refined foods increases the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and obesity. An occasional slice of quick pizza or frozen pizza won’t affect weight but may increase your risk of chronic disease.
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How can I make healthier pizza?
Occasionally eating a piece of frozen pizza or fast-food pizza is not harmful to your health, but it’s best to limit your intake, not more than a few times a month.
But for those who eat pizza regularly, you should know how to make this dish healthier in many ways as follows:
- Start with the crust. “You can significantly reduce calories and sodium by eating a thinner crust instead of the usual thick or stuffed crust,” says Hultin. Want a fiber boost? Instead, try a whole-grain crust. If you want to get creative, swap your regular crust for a portobello or cauliflower shell for extra veggies and nutrients.
Choose a healthy sauce: a better option than a cream sauce is the traditional red sauce (rich in vitamins A, C, and lycopene). You can try pesto sauce or olive oil-based sauce instead of tomato sauce, which is very healthy. - Pay attention to cheese: cheese provides calcium and protein, so use a moderate amount of cheese, not too much.
- Choose smart toppings: limit your intake of lean meats (chicken, ham, or lean ground beef) and processed meats (bacon, hot dogs, and sausages, which are rich in sodium and saturated fat). Instead, eat a variety of vegetables that are high in fiber and various vitamins.
- Don’t forget portions: “A serving is something to consider, whether you’re eating a lighter pizza or enjoying a richer version. So how much pizza you eat is also very important, eat in moderation
Conclusion: - Pizza is a very tasty dish but should not be eaten too much. Because eating a lot of pizza is not good for your health To have a healthy meal, you need to focus on healthy prepared pizza. Learn portion control, choose healthy toppings, or eat homemade pizza. Following a diet is healthy, but it’s okay to eat your favorites from time to time, even if it’s not the most nutritious option.
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