Get a Health Boost with These Pizza Toppings

Chicago-style pizza is probably not the first dish that comes to mind when you want to eat a healthy meal. But you don’t have to feel guilty about enjoying a delicious slice of homemade pizza near Palo Alto if you make smart topping selections. Recently, some studies have shown that occasionally eating saturated fats, such as those found in pizza cheese, is not as bad for you as doctors once thought. And even if you have a gluten sensitivity, you can order gluten-free pizza that won’t cause you health problems. Next time you get pizza delivery, consider ordering one of these toppings:

Chicken

You don’t have to give up meat in order to make your pizza healthy. Order chicken instead of sausage or pepperoni, and you’ll get plenty of juicy, delicious protein, which is an important staple in any diet, without the extra fat.

Pineapple

Pineapple on pizza became popular when many pizza places started offering a Hawaiian pie. One serving of pineapple has plenty of vitamins E and C, as well as your daily dose of manganese, which is an important dietary mineral that helps control your blood sugar and keep your skin looking healthy.

Garlic

Every pizzeria has powdered garlic that you can sprinkle on your slices, but for an extra flavor boost with virtually no calories, ask for fresh or roasted garlic atop your deep dish pizza. Some studies have linked garlic consumption to lower cholesterol and reduced risk of heart disease.

Broccoli

This green vegetable is packed with vitamins A, C, and K, and like all vegetables contains a good amount of dietary fiber. Ordering broccoli as a topping is great way to ensure that kids get enough vegetables, even at a pizza party.

Mushrooms

Even if you are a vegetarian, you can get plenty of protein from a pizza. The cheese itself already has a good amount, and toppings such as mushrooms will add even more. Also, mushrooms contain selenium, which is an antioxidant that may help fight heart disease and boost immune functions.