With moderation, pizza can still be part of a healthy diet
BLACKSBURG, Va., Aug. 29, 2007 – Because people are becoming more health conscious, many are now looking for healthier ways to eat their favorite foods. “Just as with any food, pizza – in moderation – can be part of a healthy diet,” said Elena Serrano, Virginia Cooperative Extension nutrition specialist at Virginia Tech.
Pizza is often considered unhealthy. One slice of pizza from some of the major chains contains more fat and sodium than is recommended for an entire day. Also, pizza has almost the same fat and sodium content as some popular, hamburger-type items.
However, pizza from many major chains now contains zero trans fat. Most major pizza chains now offer nutritional guides on their websites to help consumers choose healthier items.
Serrano offers some suggestions for including pizza in a healthy diet:
- Order a half-the-cheese pizza.
- Choose vegetable toppings in place of high-fat ingredients like sausage, pepperoni, and bacon.
- Order plain (not stuffed) crusts.
- Consider eating a salad before pizza to help curb your appetite. Remember to eat healthy by using a low-fat salad dressing.
- Drink water, nonfat or low fat milk, unsweetened tea, or 100 percent juice instead of high-calorie soft drinks. “Water is the best thirst quencher,” Serrano added.
These simple changes can help reduce dietary and trans fat. They may also help reduce calories. As America’s waistlines increase, efforts to decrease dietary fat and overall calories can help with weight management and weight loss. Serrano recommends a diet low in saturated fat, sodium, and cholesterol and moderate in total fat to reduce the risk of heart disease and certain cancers.
Contact: Elena Serrano
Virginia Cooperative Extension nutrition specialist
Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise
Virginia Tech
(540) 231-3464
serrano@vt.edu
Contact: Michael Sutphin
Writer
Communications and Marketing
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Virginia Tech
(540) 231-6975
msutphin@vt.edu
Writer: Susan Suddarth
Student Intern
Communications and Marketing
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Virginia Tech