by Tiffany Hunter

Created on: April 29, 2009

Depending on what you put on it, pizza is an extremely healthy food. What other food has all the food groups in it but tastes like junk food? If eaten while keeping a healthy lifestyle in mind and remembering to eat proper portion sizes there's no reason why pizza shouldn't be enjoyed. It's also a great way to get children to eat a balanced meal, much better than macaroni and cheese!

Grains:

The dough in your pizza serves as one of your servings of grains for the day. You can make an even healthier choice by choosing whole-wheat dough. Whole-wheat products have much more flavor, which is why many people (especially children) prefer white. Even those who are adamant about their white bread ways will find it quite bland and boring after a few days of whole-wheat. Why not use pizza as a way to get yourself accustomed to whole-wheat?

Fruits and Vegetables:

The tomato sauce on your pizza is actually extremely healthy for you. Tomatoes are extremely healthy as they contain vitamin C, folate, potassium and lycopene. Studies have shown high tomato intake to prevent cancer and cardiovascular disease. You can also choose to put toppings such as peppers, mushrooms, pineapple and other fruits and veggies to increase the nutritional value of your Friday night snack.

Dairy:

What would pizza be without the gooey cheese topping? Cheese contains calcium, which is important for the health of bones and teeth. If you aren't a fan of milk, cheese is a great way to up your calcium intake. It also has protein in it. As long as your diet is low in fat and cholesterol there is no reason you can't indulge.

Meat:

Protein helps muscles stay strong, so adding pepperoni and other meats to your pizza is a great way to fit more protein in your diet. You can control the fat and sodium content you ingest based on which meat you choose. Chicken is especially delicious.

The best thing about pizza is it allows you to eat healthy while feeling like you are indulging. This can be extremely helpful to those who are trying to watch what they eat. By satisfying a craving, and feeling like you are indulging, you will be less likely to snack all night than you would if you forced yourself to eat a chicken salad that you didn't want in the first place. Enjoying what we eat is so important, and we don't do it enough. Also, pizza is often associated with friends and gatherings, so even if you are eating it alone, you will most likely feel comforted by it, and even less stressed. So go ahead and enjoy a slice!

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