Nutrition-bar ✨ Pizza 🍕 nutritious or not?
You can make it healthier - let's dig into a slice and chat
Another addition to Nutrition-Bar! I hope you enjoy!
I love a good homemade pizza because you can customize it to make it (a little) healthier (and tastier).
I make a thin crust and it’s AMAZING (I’ll share at the end)! You can also use a gluten-free cauliflower crust. I am a self-proclaimed foodie, and I love this type of crust. It can be just as good as a flour/yeast crust my friends.
Let’s get real about pizza. It is often loaded with carbs, especially those refined ones that can send your blood sugar on a rollercoaster ride. But there is good news… enjoying a slice topped with cheese and fiber-packed veggies like onions, peppers, greens, and such {and a salad} can be a smart, balanced meal. If you want to go the extra mile, try a cauliflower or chickpea crust for a blood-sugar-friendly twist. Everyone’s body and taste are different, so finding your pizza sweet spot might take a bit of experimenting. Have fun with it!
Another option would be to use polenta as a crust. I’ve made little polenta pizza rounds with bruschetta-style toppings and balsamic. Literal show-stopper! Just spread the polenta out to the size of pizza you want.
This is my go-to for polenta crust from The Kitchn.
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What comes after the base crust is the SAUCE! Let’s get creative here.
Pizza ‘sauce’ ideas
hummus
traditional basil pesto
beet pesto (here’s my recipe)
pureed butternut squash
simple tomato sauce with herbs and seasonings
garlic and extra virgin olive oil
Add some mozzarella (fresh if you can), but don’t pile it too high especially if you use a thin crust.
Pizza toppings that add nutrients
spinach or arugula (I add to the pizza before it cooks so it wilts into the cheese)
microgreens (I add after the pizza comes out)
thinly sliced beets
shredded carrots (this sounds weird, but oddly good on pizza)
red peppers
green pepper 🫑
or any color peppers
kalamata olives
fresh herbs (I like to add fresh cuts herbs once the pizza comes out)
small pieces of broccoli (I honestly never want broc on my pizza, but it can be a tasty addition and you might love it)
banana peppers (yep, more peppers)
green onions
Some other pizza toppings that I love
goat cheese
feta cheese
balsamic vinegar
nutritional yeast
hot sauce
blue cheese
More tips to keep pizza on the healthier side:
don’t go crazy on the cheeses (they can weigh down a thin crust anyway)
go with a thinner crust
add nutrient-dense toppings (the more nutrient-dense, the more satiating)
watch your portions
start with a salad or veggie so you eat less pizza (bonus is you’ll have leftovers)
Follow these tips and pizza can be part of a well-balanced meal plan.
Want some combination topping ideas to make your pizza experience even better?
Sweet potato and goat cheese
Pesto and asparagus
Ricotta and zucchini (this just screams summer pizza)
Beets and goat cheese
Prosciutto and mushrooms
Eggs and crumbled bacon (breakfast for dinner?)
Blistered cherry tomatoes and feta crumbled
Kalamata olives, banana peppers and feta crumbles (Mediterranean vibes)
Shredded chicken, hot sauce and blue cheese crumbles
Green olives, garlic and blue cheese crumbled (drooling)
If you are enjoying this read and know a peep who might also love it - I would forever appreciate a share!
Here’s my thin-crust recipe that lives under a magnet on my fridge
Thin Crust for an Amazing Pizza Experience
For one pizza
Ingredients
1/2 cup lukewarm water
1 1/2 cup flour (I use basic all-purpose flour)
1/2 teaspoon active dry yeast
1/2 teaspoon honey
1/2 teaspoon salt
Method
Preheat oven to 450° (230 celsius)
Mix the water, yeast, and honey. Let sit for 10 minutes.
Stir the flour and salt into the wet mixture until the dough comes together.
If the dough is too sticky, add more flour (just a little at a time).
Roll the dough to 10-12”. Let rest for 5 minutes.
Add your toppings, then bake at 450° for 10-15 minutes until the dough is browned on the edges.
**I find that my oven isn’t the best so I precook the dough for 5-8 minutes before adding toppings to ensure the middle isn’t doughy.
Now over to you ➡️ what pizza combo is your fav? Share in the comments to add to the pizza convo!
More ways to connect with me:
📱️Join me on the socials: Instagram + Pinterest are my favs
Until next time…
Cheers to a healthier and happier you with a healthier slice of pizza!
I love pizza. One of my favorites is spinach, sundried tomatoes, and feta or goat cheese. Thanks for sharing your crust recipe. Have you ever used part whole wheat flour in your recipe?