Pizza is a popular takeaway option but how healthy is it? Typically dripping with cheese, with thick crusts, and loaded with a variety of meats, numbers aren't really needed to imagine that one or two slices of pizza will be loaded with kilojoules.
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Popular menu options frequently contain not only high kilojoules, but excess sodium, and saturated fats. Pizzas with deep dish, puff, or cheese filled bases, combined with a selection of processed meats--including pepperoni, bacon, and salami, and topped with olives and anchovies--are those with the highest kilojoule, sodium, and saturated fat contents.
The healthyfoodguide advise thin crust pizzas with loads of vegetables, chicken or seafood as a healthy alternative. Selecting a basic red sauce, such as bolognese or napolitana, are also healthier options to the kilojoule rich cream based sauces such as carbonara and alfredo. Ordering your pizza with less cheese topping is also a great way to reduce the saturated fat content.
Takeaway Tips
- If you can't see the nutritional information before ordering your pizza, don't be afraid to ask.
- Share your pizza with a group of friends. You will consume less kilojoules and have fun while you're doing it.
- Enjoy your pizza with a side salad of seasonal vegetables. You will fill up more quickly with this nutritious option, while still able to enjoy a slice of your favourite pizza.
- Blot your pizza with a piece of paper towel to remove any excess oil.
- Don't order 'meal deals'. You may be tempted to over order, resulting in over eating.
Busy lifestyles, long working hours, and time constraints have resulted in Australians ordering takeaway up to four times a week. With pizza being one of the most popular takeaway options for ease and convenience, it's worth taking the time to check the dietary value before ordering, to ensure your family are having their nutritional needs met.Dr Alan Barclay, with the Dietitians Association of Australia, advises that takeaway food can be part of a healthy eating plan, provided it's eaten occasionally, and in moderated portions.
With the majority of pizza outlets today offering healthy, nutritional pizzas alongside more kilojoule laden classics, the option to enjoy our takeaway favourite without excess fat, salt and calories, has been made easy. If the menu options don't entice you, tailor make your own pizza, choosing healthy toppings such as spinach, tomato, onions, chillies, mushrooms, lean ham, peppers and sweet corn.
To order your occasional, healthier pizza, contact a company like Pizza Inn Delivery.
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