by Sarah E. Sanuth

Created on: July 03, 2008

Pizza is one of most versatile foods available. It can be as healthy as you want, or as unhealthy. It is one of the most popular items on any restaurant's menu, and there are restaurants out there that serve nothing but.

Pizza offers a variety in the food pyramid. You get your dairy products, grains, vegetables, fats, and even fruits. Not to mention proper nutrients.

Ways to make a pizza healthy are easy. Making this at home is the best, adn cheapest way.

Dough/Bread

When making the dough choose a flour that is healthiest. You can choose a whole wheat flour, or even substitute some of the regular flour for whole wheat. This will ensure that you get the proper vitamins and minerals from your bread serving.

Sauce

When choosing to use tomato sauce, go for the past instead. Tomato sauce tends to have way too much sodium, and going 50/50 with paste and water will drastically cut the salt content.

You don't have to use just tomato sauce, even though this can be perfectly healthy. You can use anything from a sauce made from other vegetables to Alfredo sauce.

Cheese

Whole milk cheese isn't the only option, and neither is mozzarella. You can use any cheese you want. Keep in mind the melting point of a cheese that you choose. Some cheese might not melt as well and make for a not so good pizza.

There are so many types of cheese out there, there is no reason why you can't choose the most healthy one there is

Topppings

This is where the fun begins, and the health. The topping to any pizza can be anything want, or need.

There are many types of vegetables that can be used. Spinach, tomatoes, asparagus, green peppers, onions, the options are endless.

Meats are another option out there. You can add anything from pepperoni and ham to veal.

You can even add fruit. Pineapple is common, but you can add anything you want, or that will do well on a pizza.

The options are endless in making it a healthy food. But in turn in can also go the other way. Make sure that you add the right items to make it healthy. If healthy is not what you are going for, you can add anything that tickles your fancy, regardless of what it might mean for you overall health.

Moderation is the key to anything. Even the most healthy of items can be unhealthy if you eat too much of it. Moderation and variety are the keys to healthy eating. Over doing anything can be hazardous to your health

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