New Delhi: Pizza is popular among most people all over the world, and every year we celebrate this dish by commemorating World Pizza Day on February 9. It is sometimes the sole consistent member of our parties and late-night movie plans.
In India, we've evolved our own pizza-making techniques. Pizzas have come a long way in our country, thanks to our exquisite choice of dishes like butter chicken, paneer, and other delicacies that match the Indian taste bud. But we often wonder if this cheesy delight may be made healthy while still tasting delicious.
So, on the occasion of World Pizza Day, here are some ways by which you can make your pizza healthy so that you may enjoy the dish without any guilt.
1. Modify the crust:
Instead of making the pizza crust out of flour or wheat, you can use whole grains and millet. This will not just reduce your consumption of flour but it will also add a lot of fibre and health to your pizza. You can further enhance its health quotient by making the crust thinner and by avoiding any extra oils.
2. Cut down on cheese:
We love those cheese burst and double cheese pizzas, but too much of cheese can have bad implications on our health. Try to use minimal cheese or natural cheese options like feta, fresh mozzarella or ricotta.
3. Don't hesitate to add veggies:
Pile up your pizza with as many veggies as possible. You can also use a variety of them to increase the health value of your pizza and at the same time make it more colourful. Make your pizza highly nutritious by including leafy greens, mushrooms, tomatoes or (maybe) pineapples!
4. Choose lean meats:
Meat lovers need not despair. Replace fatty meats like pepperoni and pork sausage with thinly sliced (leaner) salami, turkey bacon, and chicken sausage.
5. Swap the sauce with a homemade version:
Sodium and other preservatives are commonly included in jarred pizza sauces. Making your own improves the quality of any pizza recipe immediately. Consider pesto or some good olive oil and fresh garlic instead of red sauce.