Pizza is a healthy choice 

Pizza is a cornerstone of the Mediterranean diet and especially of the Italian one: a dough similar to that of bread stuffed with tomato sauce, vegetables, cheeses, meat and fish... In all respects it is a complete satiating and satisfying meal that can be more or less healthy depending on how it is prepared.

For many of those who have an eye on the diet or must follow specific dietary rules, pizza can be included among the foods granted occasionally, perhaps with some care while for others it is better to give up. But is it or is it not a healthy food? Let's find out together in this article that analyzes the nutritional values of its ingredients and possible contraindications. 

As with many bakery products, pizza can also have a very different nutritional intake depending on the type of ingredients used and the filling, so it is very difficult to establish whether eating it frequently (let's say once a week) is a healthy choice or not. That said, for those who are not subjected to restrictive diets and just want to be sure to have good eating habits, a pizza, homemade or by the trusted pizza maker, which uses excellent quality ingredients is certainly a nutritious meal and not excessively unbalanced. We are obviously talking about a Margherita made with real tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, extra virgin olive oil and a dough made with flour and natural yeast. 

From a nutritional point of view it should be considered a single dish, because it guarantees the right amount of carbohydrates, proteins and fats. In the flour-based dough there are also minerals and B vitamins, the tomato sauce is rich in fiber and antioxidants such as lycopene and mozzarella ''fiordilatte'' provides fat and calcium, obviously then there is the extra virgin olive oil that is rich in excellent nutrients. Adding at least one vegetable to the sauce or a vegetable side dish also guarantees the right amount of fiber and a balanced meal, not excessively caloric. 

As in the case of low-calorie pizza, even the healthiest pizza is certainly a simple version. You always fall well by choosing the classic Margherita (if tomato and mozzarella are excellent products) and preferring flours as little as possible refined. The intake of fiber to have a balanced diet is essential so do not forget to add vegetables such as zucchini, eggplant, radicchio to your pizza!

Tip

Do you want to increase your protein load without using cheese? Choose mushrooms or fish as a protein!