Pizza is one of the most popular foods in America, with about 13% of Americans eating pizza on any given day. However, pizza has a reputation for being one of the most unhealthy junk foods you can eat.
In this post, we take a look at some healthy pizza toppings that you can consider using for your next pie to increase its nutritional content and create a more balanced meal.
Can Healthy Pizza Toppings Be Good for Weight Loss?
Pizzas are traditionally topped with cheese, meat and sauces which typically contain high amounts of fat, calories and carbohydrates, making them unsuitable for many diets including keto and low-carb diets.
That said, replacing traditional toppings with healthier alternatives can go a long way to making your pizzas healthier and suitable for a weight loss program.
5 Healthy Pizza Topping Ideas
Here are five healthy pizza topping ideas that you can consider for your next pizza night:
Vegetables
Vegetables make for a great alternative pizza topping, as they are typically high in fiber and contain many essential nutrients that the body needs to function.
Moreover, they also tend to be filling while containing low amounts of calories, making them ideal for people who want to lose weight or are on a strict diet.
Some vegetables that you can consider adding to your pizzas include:
- Bell peppers
- Kale
- Spinach
- Onions
- Tomatoes
Mushrooms are also another great pizza topping idea that you can consider for your next pie. Like the vegetables above, mushrooms are low in calories, making them suitable if you are watching your calorie consumption.
They are also high in nutrients such as vitamins B and D as well as antioxidants, enabling you to achieve a balanced diet while imparting an earthy flavor and aroma into your pizzas.
Lean Meats (+ Seafood)
Instead of processed meats such as pepperoni, salami and sausages, consider opting for healthier lean protein options such as turkey breast, grilled chicken and shrimp.
These options usually contain the full nutritional value and don’t have any additional preservatives or fat content. Lean meat is also high in protein, making it ideal if you want to grow your muscles through exercise.
Fruits
For a sweeter take on pizza, consider adding fruits as a pizza topping to create a dessert pizza.
Fruits like pineapples, figs and even apples contain essential minerals and vitamins that are crucial to achieving a balanced diet.
Herbs and Spices
Herbs and spices offer a very low-calorie way for you to add flavor and aromas to your pizzas. This enables you to create low calories pizzas suitable for a low-carb or keto diet without compromising on flavor.
Some herbs and spices that you can consider adding to your pizzas include basil, thyme, rosemary and oregano. For an additional burst of flavor, opt for fresh herbs that you can chop up into smaller pieces instead of dried herbs.
Low-Fat Cheeses
While you may to reduce the caloric content of your pizzas and make them healthier, it doesn’t mean that you have to skimp on the cheese.
Instead, you can opt for healthier varieties of cheese such as feta or skimmed milk mozzarella, which pack the same punch with lesser calories.
Don’t Forget a Healthy Pizza Crust
Of course, no pizza is complete without a crust and no matter how healthy your pizza toppings are, all your effort will go to waste unless you opt for a healthy pizza crust.
Normal pizza crusts are typically one of the least nutritious components of a pizza, containing large amounts due to their usual ingredients.
The pizza crusts that you typically find at the supermarket or in chain pizzas are usually made with refined flour, which is lacking in nutrients and fiber and high in calories and carbohydrates. Moreover, they may also contain other processed and unhealthy ingredients such as added sugars, hydrogenated oils and preservatives which can be detrimental to your health if consumed in large quantities.
KBosh Keto Crusts: A Healthier Alternative
But fret not, as there is a healthier alternative to traditional pizza crusts. KBosh keto crusts are delicious, low-carb and keto-friendly alternatives to traditional pizza crusts that were created with your health in mind.
Our crusts are made using clean, gluten-free ingredients and don’t contain any added preservatives or sugars.
You can also choose from a variety of base vegetable ingredients for our crusts to suit your fancy — from cauliflower and kale to zucchini and broccoli. What’s more, our crusts are versatile and can be used for wraps, quiches, quesadillas and more.
With just 3 grams of total carbs in each pizza crust, simply pair any of our keto crusts with healthy pizza toppings and enjoy your next pizza night without any of the guilt.