With careful manipulation of the ingredients a tasty and healthy Pizza can be made.
Amazingly the calorie content of a large Pizza Margarita in one of the International Pizza chains reaches a staggering 2072 calories, with a total fat content of 87.2 g and a salt level of 7.8 g. The figures for a Pizza Double Pepperoni are even higher at 2208 calories, 104 g of fat and salt at 9.12 g.
The total days calorie intake for an average male is 2400 calories, and for a female 1800 calories, with a recommended daily intake of around 6 g of salt and 65 g of oils. When consumed in excessive amounts these ingredients lead to obesity, heart disease and cancer. So with one plate of food the Recommended Daily Intake of calories, oils and salt has been met, and this excludes any drinks served with the meal such as cola or alcohol. It is not surprising that health problems related to eating and drinking are on the increase throughout the world.
So how can a healthy option be achieved?
Tip 1. Reduce the size.
Reducing the size from 12 inch to 8 inch diameter will cut the above figures by 54%, to around 1000 calories, 47 g of fat and 4.2 g of salt for the Margarita version. This is still high for a single plate of food when other meals taken in the day are considered. There are further options.
Tip 2. Eliminate some ingredients.
Cheese and meats such as Salami, Pepperoni and Meat Balls are high in saturated fats, calories and salt. The reduction in the use of Mozzarella and the partial replacement by a cheese such as Parmesan will reduce the saturated fat and salt levels but retain flavour. But care since a similar weight of Parmesan has 50 % more calories than Mozzarella. The total elimination of the cured meats, such as Salami, Pepperoni and meat balls will also significantly reduce salt, calorie and fat levels. The use of olive oil has benefits and dangers. Olive oil is known as a healthy source of fat, with very low levels of the saturated type, however the danger is the calorie content. A mere 15 ml, a tablespoon, holds 119 calories and 13.5 g of fat. If olive oil were used more liberally baking and eating then 250 ml will give 1909 calories! So use it sparingly, both when baking, eating and with any salad accompaniments.
Tip 3. Add some healthier ingredients.
A home-made tomato sauce made with a mix of 50 % ripe tomatoes and red peppers, red onions, courgette, fennel and garlic lightly sprinkled with olive oil will add freshness, vitamins and minerals to the dish, without salt. Extra fresh vegetables such as mushrooms, peppers, chillies, pickled olives, capers and artichokes will add flavour without salt, saturated fats and high levels of calories. Fish and shellfish, such as strips of white fish, mussels and prawns provides further healthier options.
Tip 4. Couple the dish with another menu item.
Serve it with a small mixed salad without a dressing. This will give extra vitamins and minerals without the addition of many calories, and provide more variety and interest to the meal.
With the reduction in size of the Pizza and some of the hazardous products the levels of saturated fats, calories and salt will be reduced, whilst still providing a satisfactory meal. More vegetables and seafood enhance the flavour of the dish and add vital vitamins and minerals, with low levels of salt, oils and calories. You will then have produced a healthy with plentiful amounts of the essentials to lead a healthy life.
Amazingly the calorie content of a large Pizza Margarita in one of the International Pizza chains reaches a staggering 2072 calories, with a total fat content of 87.2 g and a salt level of 7.8 g. The figures for a Pizza Double Pepperoni are even higher at 2208 calories, 104 g of fat and salt at 9.12 g.
The total days calorie intake for an average male is 2400 calories, and for a female 1800 calories, with a recommended daily intake of around 6 g of salt and 65 g of oils. When consumed in excessive amounts these ingredients lead to obesity, heart disease and cancer. So with one plate of food the Recommended Daily Intake of calories, oils and salt has been met, and this excludes any drinks served with the meal such as cola or alcohol. It is not surprising that health problems related to eating and drinking are on the increase throughout the world.
So how can a healthy option be achieved?
Tip 1. Reduce the size.
Reducing the size from 12 inch to 8 inch diameter will cut the above figures by 54%, to around 1000 calories, 47 g of fat and 4.2 g of salt for the Margarita version. This is still high for a single plate of food when other meals taken in the day are considered. There are further options.
Tip 2. Eliminate some ingredients.
Cheese and meats such as Salami, Pepperoni and Meat Balls are high in saturated fats, calories and salt. The reduction in the use of Mozzarella and the partial replacement by a cheese such as Parmesan will reduce the saturated fat and salt levels but retain flavour. But care since a similar weight of Parmesan has 50 % more calories than Mozzarella. The total elimination of the cured meats, such as Salami, Pepperoni and meat balls will also significantly reduce salt, calorie and fat levels. The use of olive oil has benefits and dangers. Olive oil is known as a healthy source of fat, with very low levels of the saturated type, however the danger is the calorie content. A mere 15 ml, a tablespoon, holds 119 calories and 13.5 g of fat. If olive oil were used more liberally baking and eating then 250 ml will give 1909 calories! So use it sparingly, both when baking, eating and with any salad accompaniments.
Tip 3. Add some healthier ingredients.
A home-made tomato sauce made with a mix of 50 % ripe tomatoes and red peppers, red onions, courgette, fennel and garlic lightly sprinkled with olive oil will add freshness, vitamins and minerals to the dish, without salt. Extra fresh vegetables such as mushrooms, peppers, chillies, pickled olives, capers and artichokes will add flavour without salt, saturated fats and high levels of calories. Fish and shellfish, such as strips of white fish, mussels and prawns provides further healthier options.
Tip 4. Couple the dish with another menu item.
Serve it with a small mixed salad without a dressing. This will give extra vitamins and minerals without the addition of many calories, and provide more variety and interest to the meal.
With the reduction in size of the Pizza and some of the hazardous products the levels of saturated fats, calories and salt will be reduced, whilst still providing a satisfactory meal. More vegetables and seafood enhance the flavour of the dish and add vital vitamins and minerals, with low levels of salt, oils and calories. You will then have produced a healthy with plentiful amounts of the essentials to lead a healthy life.
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