by Todd Pheifer

Created on: September 04, 2008

It may seem like I am riding the fence on this issue, but when it comes to the nutritional value of pizza, I will start with saying "It all depends". Pizza is a combination of many food elements, and any one of them could be extremely nutritious or potentially unhealthy. Here are a few specific thoughts on the nutritional value of that wonderful slice of "pie" that eat on Friday night.

CRUSTY CRUST

Of course, pizza almost always starts with the crust. This is the root of unhealthy eating in many cases. We do need our supply of grains to maintain a healthy diet, but oftentimes pizza crust is made of enriched white flour and fat, which are both frowned upon in today's nutritional landscape. Sometimes a whole-wheat crust can take some of the "edge" off of unhealthiness, but one is usually still getting a big mouthful of bread, particularly when the crust is "deep dish". Some pizza establishments have started to offer "thin" crust in order to minimize the bread intake. In addition, Sicilian pizza often has a thinner crust.

SAUCY SAUCE

Sauce is the next nutritional culprit. Again, tomatoes are a usually a good thing, but pizza sauce can also includes a generous amount of sodium which is not good for the blood pressure. Still, the sauce is perhaps the least damaging part of the pizza, assuming the quantity is kept in check.

TOPPINGS GALORE

This is where things start to get interesting. Pizza toppings are what "makes" the pizza for many people. It is also the area of greatest disagreement as the pepperoni lovers clash with the vegetable lovers, who clash with the anchovy lovers (does anyone actually get anchovies on pizza?). Usually vegetables and some fruit are considered healthy, but some of the meats can be a bit of a concern, particularly fatty sausage and pepperoni. Then there is the cheese. Granted, cheese is a good source of calcium but it is also a major source of fat. And, pizza can have a generous amount of cheese, which makes the fat-content of the meal go up very quickly.

Overall, pizza is a tasty meal and it is an icon for parties and social gatherings. Still, it can be a dish that packs in the calories, fat, and carbohydrates. The baking process can also take out some of the nutrients from the more healthy elements. But, with the right crust and carefully chosen toppings, it doesn't have to be nutritional nightmare.

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