Pizza... is it really THAT Bad?

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  • absie107
    absie107 Posts: 290
    HAND TOSSED CRUST Contains: Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Niacin, Riboflavin, Folic Acid) Water, Vegetable Oil (Soybean), Sugar, Salt, Yeast, Vital Wheat Gluten, Less than 1% Dough Conditioners [Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Whey, Enzyme (with Wheat Starch), Ascorbic Acid, L-cysteine, and Silicon Dioxide added as processing aid], Corn Meal (used in preparation).
    PROVOLONE CHEESE (SHREDDED) Contains: Provolone Cheese (Pasteurized Milk, Cultures, Salt, Enzymes), Nonfat Milk, Sodium Propionate (Added As A Preservative).
    PIZZA SAUCE Contains: Tomato Puree (Water, Tomato Paste), Sugar, Salt, Spices, Garlic, Soybean Oil, and Citric Acid

    I think the only thing that is bad is the crust. Everything else has minimal ingredients for the most part, but soybean oil and vital wheat gluten and enriched flour... ehh.

    Making your own pizza is fun and probably a safer route. I'd say the worst (not in terms of taste but just the worst for you) part of the pizza is the crust, just because it's a hefty load of carbs, and unless you're at a swim meet or have just run a whole lot, your body really doesn't need it.

    Personally... I'd rather have meatza. Of course, I wouldn't have this every day either, and I would want to use the freshest and most quality meat possible... but here: http://www.marksdailyapple.com/greek-meatza-with-creamy-feta-kalamata-olives-and-red-onion/

    :)
  • calimari
    calimari Posts: 202 Member
    I was helping my husband last week at work (TV work) and the crew food he was planning to get? Grinders. I asked him to get thin-crust pizza instead (and he also picked up a salad for me). I did some online searches for calorie counts for some popular pizza chains, and the thin crust is SOOOO much better than the deep dish or even regular crust. So, if it means thin crust, plain or with onions or pineapple - but I can have pizza - rather than deep dish pepperoni and sausage - and denying myself? The thin crust is an easy pick.

    Also, as I get older, I seem to not be able to eat as much of it as I used to.
  • Micheller1210
    Micheller1210 Posts: 460 Member
    I love pizza too,but with high blood pressure, I have to watch my sodium intake, I makeself a salad loaded with good stuff sprinkle balsamic vinegar and cut up a slice into little bites and top my salad with piza bites...yum I can't eat more than. 2 slices or my head pounds.
  • renku
    renku Posts: 182 Member
    I've started making homemade pizzas usually with lower calorie crusts (panini wraps), then once in a rare mood I will splurge and have a restaurant pizza trying to keep everything under my calorie goal.
  • warphoenix
    warphoenix Posts: 47
    "Pizza... is it really THAT Bad?"

    Depends what the toppings are!
  • UltraRunnerGale
    UltraRunnerGale Posts: 346 Member
    I have worked in a pizza shop for a number of years. You know how to get sick of pizza?? Work there. I bet I don't eat pizza once a month. I just see too much of it and it's not a temptation. Weird I suppose........ :tongue:
  • lordofultima
    lordofultima Posts: 293
    I have no self control, so it's either 100% clean eating or 100% binging. Pizza will trigger this, as in the past I would routinely eat 6 slices at a time.
  • milaxx
    milaxx Posts: 1,122 Member
    I never thought pizza was that big of a deal as long as you had it in moderation.. I'm talking 1, or 2 slices. But to classify it as a 'cheat meal' seems a bit overboard to me. I know I know, there are better things to eat, and I'm sure it's loaded with carbs, but come one. It's EVERYWHERE! I can't just AVOID it.. There's no way I'm going to ditch the one slice of pizza at the party and go for the salad every time. I mean, if all of my friends are having 5+ pieces, isn't one better than that?
    People here seem to frown upon poor, poor pizza more than I feel like it should be frowned upon. Lol.

    Any opinions on this?
    I appreciate your replies :)

    Thanks,
    Mae :)
    Pizza isn't the enemy. I occasionally eat it. You can make it yourself and save on sodium and sugars. Many markets sell pizza dough, whole wheat pizza dough, even gluten free pizza dough. of course the thinner you roll out the dough, the less carbs.When it comes to toppings try adding in more veg.

    When you are out, it's going to be a bit harder and likely you will take a big sodium hit. Always try to balance it with a salad, but be careful to go for the lightest dressing possible; vinegar and oil if you can. I find white pizzas have a little less sodium and sugar then those with red sauces. Stay away from the high fat meats like pepperoni, bacon and ham.
  • my3girlsri
    my3girlsri Posts: 3 Member
    Try making it yourself so you can control sodium, fat and oils -use low or non fat cheese, fresh tomatoes and I use flatbread-thinner crust helps. this is the best way I have found to have pizza and not feet guilty. Hopes this helps.
  • 69mustang
    69mustang Posts: 185
    Yeah, I might be able to fit it into my meal plan- but here's the problem- the shut off mechanism in my brain MALFUNCTIONS when I put a piece of pizza in my mouth ( same thing happens with Chocolate Chip Cookies too)

    I have the same problem with chocolate chip cookies :(

    I love pizza and we order it in a few times a month but I usually stick to 2 slices. I made pizza the other day and grilled it on the bbq...it was fantastic!! I loaded it with grilled veggies, tomatoes and grilled chicken breast, used a low cal bbq sauce and some cheese...less than 400 cals for 2 decent slices and so filling.
    Point is you dont have to give up pizza, just plan for it and have it in moderation.
  • MeganSWoods
    MeganSWoods Posts: 196 Member
    I am addicted to pizza, but I gave it up for Lent this year. I only let myself have it if I made it, so I made mini pizzas on light, whole-grain English muffins, light mozzarella cheese, turkey pepperoni, fresh tomatoes as "sauce", and fresh Parmesan grated on top -- they actually are really good and not bad for you!

    Since Lent is over, I do still have ordered pizza occasionally, but the mini pizzas really help when you're craving it. I agree that if you try to completely cut something out, it's just going to make you want it more and really cheat.
  • Kimmer2011
    Kimmer2011 Posts: 569 Member
    I'm eating pizza right now! Very thin, homemade crust, mushrooms, red peppers, red onions, & less than 1/2 cup lowfat Italian cheese. If it's takeout, it's usually Domino's thin crust. I get spinach & red pepper on my half.
  • crisanderson27
    crisanderson27 Posts: 5,343 Member
    Ever tried Meatza??

    =D
  • JaniceMaynard
    JaniceMaynard Posts: 8
    I have eaten pizza several times in the past 6 months and MFP says that

    Domino's - Thin Crust - Grilled Chicken, 1/4 of pizza 330 30 18 14
  • stangma
    stangma Posts: 211 Member
    @UltrarunnerGale - - That was excellent --- too much of a NOT so good thing.... LOL
  • kr3851
    kr3851 Posts: 994 Member
    I made pizza last night for dinner - on a whole wheat pizza base with pizza sauce, grilled chicken, onion, mushrooms, bbq sauce and cheese. THE ENTIRE THING was 500 calories. And I ate the whole thing. And I enjoyed it. It was the size of a large pizza here in AUS (which I would normally eat 7 of the 8 slices in one sitting) but I could have the whole thing for less cals than 3 slices of pizza-chain pizza. I probably didn't need the last two slices, because I was full, but I ate them anyway. Old habits die hard.
  • somigliana
    somigliana Posts: 314 Member
    Love pizza.
    But these days I prefer making my own pizza at home because I find takeout too salty and oily for my new tastes :)
    I make my own wholewheat pizza crust, go heavy on the veggies and light on the cheese: volumewise I get a nice big serving for decent calories and sodium :)
  • Cytherea
    Cytherea Posts: 515 Member
    I don't consider it a cheat, as long as you plan for it and have enough calories left for it!

    My husband loves pizza, and he can't give it up. And I would never force him to. We have pizza once every few weeks (which is a LOT less than we used to- it used to be at least once a week, if not more!), and I typically stick to a slice or two, unless I haven't eaten all day, lol. And I don't see anything wrong than that.

    Everything in moderation. You're not going to never eat pizza again, so don't deny yourself too much now... you need to learn how to work it (and other things) into your new lifestyle.
  • kaytedawg05
    kaytedawg05 Posts: 209
    The best shape of my life, my diet was pizza & salad. Everyday. When I say best Shape, I'm talking lowest weight, best blood pressure, perfect cholesterol, very able to run & swim & weight train.... I was FIT. I got fat when pizza was less in my diet. So I feel pretty comfortable eating pizza. Outside pizza I eat a ton of veggies & fruit. Idc about anyones negative pizza opinion. :-) its my protein my calcium and what I enjoy most about food :-)
  • SueHerm
    SueHerm Posts: 25 Member
    I make my own with whole wheat crust , lot of veggie toppings, and no cheese (which is where all the artery-cloging fat is, and a big chunk of the calories, too.) although you could just do light cheese. It's yummy and healthy. The kind that come from a big chain, yeah, it's definitely a "cheat meal". I wouldn't eat it on a dare.
  • fteale
    fteale Posts: 5,310 Member
    There's no difference in ingredients between pizza, lasagne and pasta with tomato sauce with cheese on top, all of which are pretty much staples in my children's diets. The problem with pizza is when you have American style, with a big fat deep fried crust. Real Italian pizza is fine in moderation. Obviously if you eat a whole one a night, that's a lot of calories, but there's nothing in it that's bad for you.
  • MDichoso
    MDichoso Posts: 10
    I agree with some of the posts here that making your own pizza is the way to go. My family likes Meat Lover's Pizzas, I buy whole wheat pizza dough, and add turkey sausage crumbles (already cooked), turkey pepperoni, and canadian bacon, along with reduced fat mozzarella.

    Parties are tough--I feel your pain! But if I know I'm going to a party where I know it will be difficult to eat low fat and low calorie (i.e. they just don't have those choies), I will DEFINITELY exercise on that day (I favor the kettle bell workouts because they burn so many calories), and I will do my best to eat in moderation--this may mean eating healthy before you go so you aren't as hungry.

    HTH!
  • crisanderson27
    crisanderson27 Posts: 5,343 Member
    I agree with some of the posts here that making your own pizza is the way to go. My family likes Meat Lover's Pizzas, I buy whole wheat pizza dough, and add turkey sausage crumbles (already cooked), turkey pepperoni, and canadian bacon, along with reduced fat mozzarella.

    Parties are tough--I feel your pain! But if I know I'm going to a party where I know it will be difficult to eat low fat and low calorie (i.e. they just don't have those choies), I will DEFINITELY exercise on that day (I favor the kettle bell workouts because they burn so many calories), and I will do my best to eat in moderation--this may mean eating healthy before you go so you aren't as hungry.

    HTH!

    Kettlebell workouts also spike your metabolism for hours and hours...if not days. Sure you burn a lot of calories doing it...but the real benifits are FAR greater than that =D.
  • crystalinda
    crystalinda Posts: 151 Member
    My husband owns a pizza store so I feel ya on this one! We don't eat pizza all that much considering he owns the place but when we do I have him make me a thin crust veggie. The thin crust cuts out a lot of calories. For example a thin crust cheese Little Caesars pizza slice (1/8 of a large) runs about 145 calories, so you if you have two slices that's under 300 calories - not bad if you ask me.

    We are making our own flatbread pizza's tonight for dinner. using whole wheat flatbread, here's the recipe I got from fitness magazine:

    Ingredients
    2 whole-grain flatbreads
    1/2 cup pizza sauce (safeway select brand is only 30 calories per serving)
    2 tbsp dried oregano
    1 cup baby spinach
    1/4 cup goat cheese
    2 tbsp pine nuts

    Directions
    Make it: Preheat oven to 350 F. Bake flatbread for 7 minutes. Spread pizza sauce on flatbread and top with oregano, spinach, goat cheese and pine nuts. Bake an additional 12 to 15 minutes.

    I ommitted the pine nuts (to cut fat) and added a few tomato slices. It was really tasty!
  • Valtishia
    Valtishia Posts: 811 Member
    I might get yelled at for this answer.... but I don't think pizza itself is bad... I think its the ingredients used.

    I like pizza.. but sodium is my devil. Because of this, I make my own. I make my own crust, use no salt added tomatoe sauce, then add all sorts of good stuff on it. Mushrooms, chicken breast, pineapple, onions, peppers, etc. Really, I don't think it can be that bad considering it contains all your basic food groups. I think its just a matter of being consious of what is going in it and on it.
  • dleithaus
    dleithaus Posts: 107 Member
    Kashi makes a pizza that is about 750 calories for the whole pie. Thin crust, moderate cheese content, good veggies. Add some red pepper flakes and you are set. http://www.kashi.com/products/category/Pizza

    With that, I find it hard to buy pizza because I want to eat at least half of a normal pie, and that portion can be well over 1000 calories for just about any pie you buy... I used to eat a lot more pizza, and now it is a very occasional indulgence.
  • crystalinda
    crystalinda Posts: 151 Member
    I might get yelled at for this answer.... but I don't think pizza itself is bad... I think its the ingredients used.

    I like pizza.. but sodium is my devil. Because of this, I make my own. I make my own crust, use no salt added tomatoe sauce, then add all sorts of good stuff on it. Mushrooms, chicken breast, pineapple, onions, peppers, etc. Really, I don't think it can be that bad considering it contains all your basic food groups. I think its just a matter of being consious of what is going in it and on it.

    My husband who owns a pizza shop tries to tell me the same thing, and yes you are correct to a certain extent, ultimately, it is what you put on it that makes the difference between good & evil. Commercially sold pizzas are usually high in calories, fat, cholesterol, and sodium. Like most foods if you take the time to make it at home from the least processed ingredients available rather than buying it from a restaurant you can acheive a better, healthier, and even tastier result.

    However, if you are going to choose convenience try thin crust pizzas, try the meatless options, and add veggies.
  • dino_morgan
    dino_morgan Posts: 57 Member
    Make your own pizza! It's fun, way lower in calories, fat, cholesterol, etc. Plus, you can put whatever toppings you want without paying the extra $0.75 for each one. I usually put a lot of vegetables and some low fat cheese. No need to be afraid of pizza, just watch what kind of pizza it is that you eat!
  • RattieLove
    RattieLove Posts: 125
    WOW! :D Sorrysorry for such a late reply guys, I just read through all of those helpful replies. Phew, thanks so much :D I feel a lot better about pizza now XD I'll just be sure to watch what I get on it. Thin crust veggie does sound good.
    Thanks again!

    Mae :)
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