Tired of giving up your favourite foods while dieting? Craving some yummy pizza on your weight loss diet? Well, we have good news and bad news for you. The latter is that your favourite takeout pizza loaded with cheese will only hinder your fitness goals. But the silver lining is that you can make healthy pizzas at home that are delicious too. Although some of these ideas may seem unconventional, try them at least once and experience their delights for yourself. To get you started, we have listed down easy tips and recipes for making weight-loss-friendly pizzas. But before we get to those, here's some important context:
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Why is Regular Pizza Bad for Weight Loss?
Skip that takeout pizza if you're on a weight-loss diet. Photo Credit: iStock
In general, those on a weight loss diet are advised to avoid eating pizzas. This is because most pizzas bought from fast food chains, as well as frozen versions from stores, have very little nutritional value. They are full of ultra-processed ingredients while being high in calories. These pizzas tend to contain unhealthy fats, large amounts of salt, and artificial additives. They are classified as junk food, and consistent consumption of such items is associated with an increased risk of obesity, diabetes, and other health problems. Making pizzas at home is a step in the right direction, and it allows greater control over the type and quantity of ingredients used. But if you want to safely indulge in pizzas as part of a weight loss diet, you need to make specific choices. Check out our recommendations below.
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How to Make Pizza for Weight Loss? Here Are 4 Easy Tips to Make Pizzas Healthier:
Tip 1: Use Nutrient-Rich Substitutes for Regular Flour in the Pizza Base
You can use different types of ingredients in place of refined flour for making pizza bases. Photo Credit: iStock
The key ingredient of pizza bases is usually refined flour (maida). This ingredient is not very suitable for those wanting to lose weight as it is low in nutrients and fibre while causing spikes in blood sugar levels. Hence, this pizza base is the first problem you need to solve. There are many great alternatives you can consider. Healthy pizza bases can be made using oats, cauliflower, chickpeas, a mix of grains, etc. Click here to know more. If you want a protein-rich base, opt for a moong dal pizza base. Sounds intriguing? Watch the recipe video here. Using millet flour for the base is also an excellent idea. Millets have a low GI and are quite high in fibre. They can keep you well-satiated while providing you with nutrients and antioxidants. Get started with this recipe for a jowar pizza base.
Tip 2: Make Your Own Pizza Sauce
Nowadays, there are so many readymade options for pizza sauces and tomato pastes. It is undeniably convenient to stock up on these store-bought sauces so you can quickly whip up pizzas at home. However, if you're on a weight loss diet, put in the effort to make your own sauce at home. The readymade ones are often high in salt, sugar, fats, and additives.
But if you prepare pizza sauce at home, you can ensure only good quality ingredients are used. Juicy tomatoes are packed with fibre, vitamins, and minerals, and they can greatly help with weight management. Don't forget to add some dried herbs like oregano, thyme, basil, rosemary, etc., to the sauce itself. Not only will they lend it an irresistible flavour, but they are also good for health. Dried herbs are considered a decent source of minerals such as iron and zinc. Check out this quick recipe for a tangy pizza sauce.
Tip 3: Limit the Use of Cheese; Opt for Paneer Instead
Use paneer not just as a topping but as the cheese for your pizza. Photo Credit: iStock
Most of the cheese we buy from the market tends to be ultra-processed. It is high in sodium and calories while not providing many benefits. If you can source organic cheese with fewer additives, you can use a small quantity of it for your pizza. Mozzarella and feta are considered to be healthier than other types. But a more commonly available cheese is good old paneer (cottage cheese). It is low in calories and rich in protein, calcium, as well as other nutrients. Paneer is one of the best foods you can add to your weight loss diet and can be used as your pizza cheese. Here's an easy recipe for inspiration.
Tip 4: Add Low-Carb Toppings of Your Choice
Load your pizza with fresh or grilled veggies including capsicum, onions, zucchini, olives, etc. They will boost the overall nutritional value of the dish. To enhance protein content, you can also add beans or soya chunks. If you haven't tried soya pizza yet, you definitely need to. Find the full recipe here. Non-vegetarians should skip sausages and processed meats while dieting. Instead, top your pizza with boiled or grilled chicken for a healthy indulgence.
The next time you're planning to make pizza at home, take these points into consideration. Remember to practice moderation, and then you can enjoy such pizzas without any guilt.
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Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.