Guiltless pizza? Does such a thing exist!?

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Replies

  • jennkain97
    jennkain97 Posts: 290 Member
    Any pizza is guilt free if it fits your calories.

    When I want pizza... I want REAL PIZZA. Thick crust, lots of sauce, lots of cheese, and delicious toppings. If I wanted vegetables on a cracker, I'd have veggies and crackers.

    I just can't wrap my mind around pizza-guilt. I have half of a DiGiorno on a regular basis... at least once a week. That's about 800-1000 calories for those four slices, which is just about the same amount I eat for dinner any other night. After exercise, I have about 2000 calories a day to play with, which usually works out to about 300 for breakfast, 400 for lunch, a couple hundred here or there for snacks, so it fits. The only "problem" is that it's high in sodium, but as long as you're not expecting to see a loss on the scale the next day and don't have any health issues that would be aggravated by sodium... not seeing any problems. :smile:

    i agree, and disagree. absolutely, as long as you don't have some other health issue (diabetes, hpb, etc), no food should be off limits if it fits your calories for the day. BUT-- some people only have 1200 calories to get through the day, so eating 1000 for dinner would be a very unwise decision. when this is the case, finding a way to "have your cake and eat it too" is far better than simply depriving yourself and being miserable about it, or going "off the wagon", eating your whole day's calories in one sitting, and then feeling guilty about that. i'm from nyc originally, so i LOVE a real pizzeria pizza loaded w/ cheese, sausage, etc.... but since it doesn't always fit my calorie budget, i'm perfectly satisfied making whole wheat pizza dough, loading it w/ lowfat cheese, tomatoes, garlic, and grilled chicken instead.
  • sarasmile144
    sarasmile144 Posts: 108 Member
    I've also enjoyed seeing all of the recipes- I'm very interested in the different uses for cauliflower, especially, so thanks for that!
  • LiddyBit
    LiddyBit Posts: 447 Member
    I've never felt guilty about eating pizza but I make mine from scratch and use a whole wheat crust, the smallest amount of cheese possible, home made sauce, and more or less a metric ton of veggies.
  • istril
    istril Posts: 11
    Whenever I eat small portions of "real" foods (aka high calorie pizza) it seems SO hard to get through the day and stay under my calorie goal without getting *hungry*. She's just asking for some tricks to making lower cal pizza. Isn't that what this community is supposed to be about? Why is everyone telling her to just eat real, fattening, pizza in response to asking for help making it healthier?

    Anyway, I think the easiest and fastest way to do this is to make tortilla pizzas. They are an absolute staple in my house! SO fast and easy to put together. Plus if you have a toaster oven you can easily make one in there and not heat your whole house up by turning on the oven in the summer.

    I have another trick -- a while ago, I tried being vegan for about a month. I would make pizza without cheese. Now don't get me wrong, I love that melty cheese on pizza, but the vegan pizzas I made really WERE delicious in their own right and so low cal.

    In order to compensate for the missing cheese, my favorite combination of toppings were very "zesty" and gave the pizza a nice zing. I would use a tortilla crust with tomato sauce, and then add: chopped marinated artichoke hearts, chopped olives, chopped onion, mushroom pieces, and capers. I would usually sprinkle some garlic powder and cayenne powder on it too. I still love this combo of ingredients, it is very unconventional but such a tangy pizza!
  • Lift_hard_eat_big
    Lift_hard_eat_big Posts: 2,278 Member
    I love pizza, I have it as often as possible. I no scare of pizza, I actually had a wonderful slice with sausage :-)
  • BlondeQtTexas
    BlondeQtTexas Posts: 97 Member
    There sure is!

    Fit and Free Pizza. 248 calories each!

    http://www.pizzafree.com/

    Tthey are friggen GOOD! Sometimes I will put peppers and onions on top. But, they are still good with just the cheese.

    It's a great company too, they come in a nice little styrofoam freezer and are always fresh.
  • CheleLynn44
    CheleLynn44 Posts: 339 Member
    We have a pkace here called Papa Murphy's. You pick up your piazza had then bake it at home. We love it!! I never know exactly what tme my hubby will be home some nights so its nice to be able to cook it once I know he is on his way. :)

    But back to the pizza (sorry I got sidetracked) they have delite piazzas which are on a thinner crust but are yummy!! The cheese delite is only 179 calories a piece. Fits in real nice with my calories!!
  • AshCakes88
    AshCakes88 Posts: 123 Member
    I use a low carb/ calorie whole wheat tortilla as pizza crust sometimes. Tastes like thin crust pizza or I make it into a quesadilla which is REALLY good
  • kfoley2
    kfoley2 Posts: 5 Member
    Just last night I tried using flatouts. I quartered little grape tomatoes and spread mozzarella cheese (the real version is actually healthier than the fat free and melts better) over the whole thing. I sprayed the pizza pan with olive oil cooking spay. I heat the over to 400 degrees (let the pan preheat with it) then baked 2 of them for about 12 min (until the crust turned brown on the edges). Let sit a couple min to let the cheese settle then cut in slices.

    They were amazing! I'm the kind of person who can't just have 1 slice of pizza. It's an all or nothing relationship here so any compromise is worth trying for me. Note about last night's food: Even my 15 yr. old son said he'd like to have them again another night. He didn't consider it "Mom's food" like most of my diet concoctions.
  • schustc
    schustc Posts: 428 Member
    200 Calorie pizzas:

    1 Josephs Pita (flax and other healthy ingredients) 60 calories (though I have seen some others for around 100 that look yummy!)
    2 tblspns of sauce about 20 calories give or take
    9 slices turkey Pepperoni about 35 calories
    1/4 cup of Mozzerella (1/2 FF and Half part Skim MIXED together - I put 1/4 cup each in a baggie and shake to mix, then use half of it) about 60 calories


    I added Mushrooms to mine which brought it up to about 200 calories - but you could put whatever veggies you want on it. The point is, without the veggies, it's only about 175 calories for a whole Pita Pizza. and you could have TWO pretty easily at that:) YUMO!!
  • You could use something like the ezekiel pita rounds (they are 100 calories each) and put a bit of red sauce, store bought is about 25 calories per 1/2 cup, or make your own in the food processer with some fresh tomatos and spices. Top with a small amount of cheese and some vegetables that you like! It may not be super low calorie, but I am personally more concerned with the quality and nutritional value of the ingredients than the calorie content.
  • gpstrucker
    gpstrucker Posts: 930 Member
    I feel as if perhaps my words may have been misconstrued into people thinking I may have some sort of psychological problem with eating pizza.

    May I please note that when I said "guiltless pizza" I meant it more as a funny/general meaning. I wasnt trying to imply I had an issue with food or eating what I like in moderation.

    Sorry if that made people upset or annoyed. I really just wanted to some cool recipes for some good pizza I could make that wasnt like DiGiornos or Dominos (which are my weight down falls).

    I feel kind of bad for even posting this topic now :(

    Thanks to those of you who suggested those recipes, I wrote them all down and will make sure to try them.

    LOL I knew what you meant.

    As far as I am concerned all pizza are guiltless, but you can make/get thin crust pizza without cheese and lots of veggies and get what you want. The sauce is no big deal, it's the thick crust and cheese, not to mention the meats, that adds all the calories. Go for it!

    Never feel bad for posting a topic, that's what this site is for.
  • BruteSquad
    BruteSquad Posts: 373 Member
    i make real pizza fit.
    ^^ THIS!

    I am making a lifestyle change, so when I want pizza, I plan for it. I don't care what the food is. I just make sure it fits my calories for THE WEEK. Our bodies don't gain 5lbs in a day. It is what it sees for the week or the month that really makes a difference.
  • gpstrucker
    gpstrucker Posts: 930 Member
    i make real pizza fit.
    ^^ THIS!

    I am making a lifestyle change, so when I want pizza, I plan for it. I don't care what the food is. I just make sure it fits my calories for THE WEEK. Our bodies don't gain 5lbs in a day. It is what it sees for the week or the month that really makes a difference.

    Yep, this is how I see it as well. Lifestyle over dieting, and worry about the week not the day.
  • ryall70
    ryall70 Posts: 519 Member
    Check in produce section for veggie (soy) cheeses. hope that helps :)
  • mikewpg1ca
    mikewpg1ca Posts: 86 Member
    I have guiltless pizza about once a week. I put in a hard day of cardio and make real pizza fit within my calories for the day without going over. In other words, when I want pizza, I have to earn it and that allows me to eat it guilt free.
  • iwantahealthierme13
    iwantahealthierme13 Posts: 337 Member
    if you make it at home it's infinitely better than anything you can buy. I would call homemade pizza pretty guiltless personally.

    As long as you don't oil the dough or something.

    But if I have takeout pizza I make it fit too.
  • ScarlettVamp
    ScarlettVamp Posts: 828 Member
    Please don't feel bad for posting! It's all good. :flowerforyou:

    Pizza was not my fave food 13 months ago by any means, but now it is the food I crave the most. I splurge occasionally at a local pizza place on good NY style thin pepperoni pizza. Otherwise, I make my own like a lot of other people suggested. Mine are about 210 calories per "mini pizza" and I use:

    Flatout Hungry Girl Fold It rosemary and olive oil flatbread - cut in half it makes 2 mini pizzas
    Hunt's Basil, Oregano, and Garlic Tomato Sauce
    2% Mozzarella
    Mushrooms, Roma Tomatoes, and Green Bell Pepper - Sliced Thin

    Veggie pizza is my favorite at home. Sometimes I think I could eat it every day.:bigsmile:
  • tabulator32
    tabulator32 Posts: 701 Member
    Some days I put some tomato sauce on a wheat tortilla with some chopped veggies and Daiya cheese.

    Some days I go to Sbarros and get a stuffed slice.

    :tongue:
  • Cgirlish
    Cgirlish Posts: 263 Member
    Almond cheese .... if you have a whole foods near you , the jalapeno is my fave but they were out last time I went
  • Leslie85
    Leslie85 Posts: 265 Member
    Someone may have already said this- but I get tired of reading each and every answer :)

    But sometimes I use those little whole wheat 100 calorie sandwich thin things to make a pizza on. That way, you have two little pizzas, and you can top it with whatever you like! I'm pretty traditional when it comes to pizza, so I use a little pizza sauce (not much, b/c I'm not a huge sauce fan), some turkey pepperoni, and low fat mozzarella cheese. Then just pop it in the oven til the cheese melts and the sandwich thin gets crispier.
  • small_ninja
    small_ninja Posts: 365 Member
    I actually just had pizza today for lunch - I made it out of low carb sandwich thins (but I'm not sure what the US/UK equivalent for that is), and just used normal ingredients (full fat, real cheese, OMG :o) on top and it was about 450 calories all up. My food diary's open if you wanna take a look - it tasted just like regular thin crust pizza :)
  • ElizabethRoad
    ElizabethRoad Posts: 5,138 Member
    Why would food make you feel guilty?
  • dgraz007
    dgraz007 Posts: 3
    I would much rather have a real pizza I make myself, with whole grain flour. I make a very thin crust, and then put a sauce made with crushed tomatoes on it..plus lots of grilled vegetables and some low fat pizza cheese. This is a treat, however, and not something I do all the time. I make sure I have done my daily hour of exercise. Real food beats something that is not going to make you feel satisfied. If you need to do so, gluten free recipes are easy to follow.
  • mamato3babies
    mamato3babies Posts: 73 Member
    Ok... Now I'm hungry.... Darn you all!!! lol I WANT PIZZA NOW!!!!!!
  • microburst20
    microburst20 Posts: 130
    Guilt Free Pizzia
    10 servings

    5 natures own sandwich rolls split in half- I use whole grain
    1 serving armor turkey pepperoni- chopped
    ragu old world style sauce-1 cup and 1/4
    3/4 -1 cup fat free mozzerella cheese
    1 small can drained sliced mushrooms
    lots of veggies- whatever I have on hand-examples onions, fresh spinach, tomatoes, green peppers, ect.
    Place on cookie sheet till cheese lightly browned.

    Sometimes i use some parmesan- sometimes I use sliced ham instead of pepperoni. Sometimes I use other kinds of bottled marinara sauce. I eat as much as I want and then take the leftovers for lunch.


    About 95-107 calories each depending on how much cheese.
  • Jacwhite22
    Jacwhite22 Posts: 7,010 Member
    I have guiltless pizza.....I eat pizza and I don't feel guilty........why feel guilty about food?
  • tabulator32
    tabulator32 Posts: 701 Member
    Why would food make you feel guilty?

    The OP has already made abundantly clear she does not have a psychological affliction concerning pizza. She simply wants a healthier pizza so she can get more mileage per slice and enjoy it even more! I mean, don't we all?

    :smile:
  • NU2U
    NU2U Posts: 659 Member
    There's only one thing that tastes like pizza...and that's PIZZA..lol

    There is no substitute. Enjoy it..just eat less of it :wink:
  • lilcupcake213
    lilcupcake213 Posts: 545 Member
    When I'm in the mood for pizza I usually make an english muffin pizza ..they are so low in calories and they do the job for a pizza craving ! add a ton of veggies or chicken to it to make it high protein ..it's win win !!