When it comes to healthy eating, many people associate this with a restricted diet. But it doesn’t have to be that way. What is actually important is the ability to get a balanced diet, coupled with regular physical activity. This is the true foundation of good health.
Healthy foods should provide the full spectrum of nutrients, vitamins and minerals needed for your body to thrive. This means considering whole foods, fruits, vegetables, lean protein and limiting the amount of processed food and sodium in your diet. Of course, when it comes to “bad” foods, these can still be part of the overall diet, but moderation is key. Enjoy comfort foods on occasion as this won’t undermine your goals for a healthy lifestyle. One food often unfairly maligned as unhealthy is pizza. But, if chosen mindfully, it can be part of a nutritious diet.
Yes, Pizza Can Be Nutritious — Here’s How
If you’re a die-hard pizza fan, then going on a diet or trying to eat healthy is a chore without it. However, there are options if you want to have pizza but remain healthy. Whether you order it in, or cook at home, there are different options to ensure you stay healthy with your pizza dinner.
For instance, you can choose the different crusts. Rather than going for that full stuffed crust, opt for thin or Italian crusts. You can also find pizza with whole-grain crusts which are much healthier. You should also limit the amount of processed meat on your pizza, such as avoiding pepperoni. Instead, look at getting a pizza with a lean protein topping such as chicken, fish or tofu. If the option is there, either at home or ordering in, choose light cheese instead of the full-fat option. Don’t add extra cheese to your pizza either, keeping it in moderate amounts.
If you want extra toppings, instead of cheese and meat, add vegetables. More veggies means better fibre, vitamins and antioxidants which are good for you and your all-round health. You can even get a smaller pizza and pair it with a side salad so that you don’t overeat your pizza. Instead of using creamy sauces for dipping, ditch the aioli or mayonnaise in favour of pesto or tomato-based sauces.
Importantly, the nutritional value of the pizza depends on the specific ingredients and portion sizes rather than the actual pizza itself. Online ordering and delivery services like Domino’s makes this information supremely accessible. Calories and ingredients are clearly listed per pizza size so that you can see exactly what it is you’re ordering. Not only that, but Domino’s also makes it very easy to add and remove pizza toppings, enabling full customisation. You can get veggie options, gluten-free pizza and more, all of which support a much more mindful approach to eating.
And none of this has to be expensive. Services like Pizza Hut, Papa John’s and Domino’s all offer pizza delivery services giving you a lot of choice. The last one, in particular, makes things easier by offering an array of voucher codes and ongoing deals which really help to make nutritious choices more affordable. So, not only are they accessible, but affordable too. Using the Domino’s voucher codes and deals available right now should be part of your go-to plan as well, as these help you to make smarter food choices much more easily.
Pizza and the Psychology of Eating Well
Try and avoid using more judgmental labels like good and bad when discussing food like pizza as well. This can cause stress and guilt which can even develop into an eating disorder if you’re trying to hide things from yourself. Don’t forget that no single food is defining your health.
It’s the overall eating patterns you adopt that actually matter over the long-term. Even with regulating your food, being on a diet and eating well should be fun. Pizza has both an emotional and social value when eating it, and is a great food option for eating with friends, part of your social wellbeing. As such, it’s an integral part of having a healthy lifestyle. Keep a balanced, flexible mindset toward food, and ensure there is room for food enjoyment all without compromising your health in any way.