A Healthier Pizza Night

In a cooking demonstration by H3 Chef Marvis Hinson last week, she made the following statement, “Whenever I eat homemade pizza, I am satisfied after one slice, but when I order out from the local pizza joint, it takes half the pie.”

 

A proclaimed pizza lover, I jump at the chance to hit up the local pizza joint.  However, this comment struck a chord, and had me craving a pizza pie.  So, instead of dining out on Friday night, I decided to experiment and create my own pizza masterpiece.

 

Turns out, she was right!  Not only was I more satisfied after just two slices of my homemade veggie pizza, I had fun in the process.  Turning the time in the kitchen into a get together with friends kept me from snacking, but also gave me a chance to catch up on the week’s events. 

 

Here are a few reasons why you should opt out of delivery:

 

- Making your own pizza is fun!  Perfect for a weekend activity, and if you have kids, they will love getting to help personalize their own pizza.  Cooking the pizza yourself makes you appreciate it more when it’s done.  I think that’s why we feel satisfied after just a bit. 

 

- Eating healthy can still taste good.  Our homemade pizza included a crispy whole wheat crust and three servings of veggies! 

 

- When cooking at home, not only can you limit fat and calories, but more importantly hidden sodium!  Here at H3, we recommend limiting sodium to 2300 mg for a typical adult eating 2000 calories daily.  If you are on a lower calorie diet, limit accordingly.  For example, someone on a 1600 calorie diet, limit to 2000 mg and 1200 calories limiting to 1800 mg sodium. 

Look at these nutrition facts from America’s most popular pizza delivery:

                One slice of Supreme Pizza from Pizza Hut = 1000 mg of sodium (380 calories, 18 g of Fat)

                One slice of Meat Lovers from Pizza Hut = 1270 mg of sodium (440 calories, 23 g of Fat)

Each of the two slices above hold half the sodium content for your daily intake – eat two of each and you have put yourself over that limit! 

 

- You can personalize your own pizza and add your favorite toppings!  When building my pizza Friday, I re-created my usual veggie pizza from my favorite local pizza joint.  It turned out perfect – adding the same toppings made it feel as though I had ordered out!

 

Ready to make your own?  Read more for tips to building your ‘best’ pizza pie.