WE LOVE PIZZA. There we said it!
At JUST BETTER BRANDS, we do not believe in restrictive diets that deprive people of what they LOVE! And let us tell you; we LOVE pizza!
Depending on how you slice it 😉, pizza can be quite healthy!
There are hundreds of ways to make a nutritious pizza. Organic vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats are good sources of fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals. And in moderation, most things, especially pizza, can be an enjoyable part of a balanced diet.
Here are a few ideas to make your pizza just better.®!
#1 EAT THE DANG SLICE OF PIZZA!
You’re meeting friends at your neighborhood pizzeria and worried about losing track of your healthy living goals. What do you do?
EAT THE DANG PIZZA!!!
BUT FIRST, have a big healthy salad loaded with fiber-rich veggies with a sensible dressing, and drink a full glass of water with 2 Tablespoons of just better.® fiber.
The idea is to fill up on the super healthy stuff before indulging in something more decadent!
#3 Make your pizza at home.
Whenever possible, avoid ultra-processed frozen foods and fast food chains. They may offer “healthier options,” but these foods are still highly processed, so beware! It’s worth the extra effort to make pizza night special and make it yourself.
#4 Be Saucey!
Pay attention to the sauce you’re using. Food manufacturers hide a lot of sugar in places you wouldn’t expect; tomato sauce is one of them! While traditional homemade sauce does call for a pinch of sugar, the manufactured sauce has quite a bit more than a simple pinch.
If you’re avoiding processed foods and sugar, try DIY! Making healthy pizza sauce is easy.
Here’s how we do it!
just better.® Fiber-Rich Pizza Sauce
Ingredients:
1 can of organic crushed tomatoes (28 oz)
1 can of organic tomato paste
3 cloves of garlic, minced
1 tbsp olive oil
2 tsp dried basil
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
4 tablespoons of just better.® prebiotic fiber
Note: Feel free to add your favorite Italian Seasoning blend!
Instructions:
Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried basil, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper to the saucepan.
Stir to combine and let simmer - here’s where you may need a little patience because the secret is in the reduction (10 to 20 minutes, depending on desired thickness.)
Remove from heat and add the apple cider vinegar, stir to combine. Let the sauce cool to room temperature. Once cooled, blend the sauce with an immersion blender (or blender) until smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning as desired. Store your homemade organic pizza sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Now, you may have lifted an eyebrow at the apple cider vinegar. We don’t blame you; we just learned that too! The addition of apple cider vinegar helps to enhance the flavor and adds a subtle zestiness to the sauce. (Want to learn a few more tomato sauce tricks? (Go here!)
#4 Try new types of crusts… or no crust at all!
Store-bought pizza crusts are processed foods. Try making your own pizza crust with whole grains. We found dozens of healthy options online; thank you, Google! Don’t forget to add a few tablespoons of just better.® fiber, it’s great for baking!
Create your dream pizza toppings, but instead of piling them on top of dough, try making a crustless pizza bowl! Or, put your pizza toppings over pre-baked zucchini slices, spaghetti squash, or sliced baked sweet potatoes! Get creative.
#5 Veg Out!
Almost any veggie can go on a pizza, and we are not taking that back!
Let pizza be your canvas for all your favorite organic veggies, lean meats, and cheeses. But let veggies have the spotlight because filling up on fiber-rich foods helps us feel fuller faster and stay fuller longer. Eat more plants!
#6 Enjoy it.
Pizza has a sweet nostalgia to it! School children at their pizza party, eager at their desks to get a slice, at work when the boss springs for lunch, and with family for a pizza/movie night. Pizza is meant to be enjoyed.
Happy Pizza Day, make one to share with your friends and live just better.®!
