Is Cheese Pizza Healthy? Find the Truth About This Cheesy Goodness

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I am an avid pizza lover, and my go-to pizza is cheese pizza. But lately, I have started being more and more health conscious, which leads me to wonder, is cheese pizza healthy? Or me taking bites of my favorite meal, deteriorating my health?

Cheese pizza can be a great source of nutrients for you as it contains high amounts of protein, fiber, fat, calcium, and lycopene. However, It does not make this pizza all healthy, as it has around 699 calories. So whether cheese pizza is healthy depends on the portion you eat and the ingredients.

But that’s not all there is to it. Continue reading the article to know more in detail about it.

Is Cheese Pizza healthy?

Is Cheese Pizza healthy

Cheese pizza, without a doubt, is considered junk food in most households. But does that really mean the dish is unhealthy? Well, let us explain.

The dish can be both healthy and unhealthy. When ordered from a takeaway restaurant, it is considered unhealthy as it contains a lot of refined flour, which is harmful to your heart. Alongside that, it has high amounts of salt and preservatives, which further harm your more.

Moreover, if they use high in fat cheese, the dish will increase your cholesterol levels which could lead to heart-related issues.

However, that is not always the case. It can be extremely healthy if cheese pizza is made with low-fat cheese, olive oil, and whole wheat flour. It gives your body protein and fiber in good amounts while keeping the harmful fat and cholesterol away.

5 Health Benefits Of Cheese Pizza

5 Health Benefits Of Cheese Pizza

As much as people consider cheese pizza a junk food delight, it has some health benefits. Some of them are mentioned below.

1. Rich In Protein

Cheese is the primary ingredient in cheese pizza. To our surprise, cheese is filled with protein in it. Thus consuming cheese pizza will keep your muscles healthy and strong.

Furthermore, the amino acids found within the protein will help create healthier muscles.

2. Filled With Fiber

The crust in pizzas contains a fair amount of fiber. As we all know, fiber is essential to keeping your digestive tract healthy. In addition to that, eating a lot of fiber can help decrease acid reflux, cholesterol, and much more.

3. High In Calcium

Calcium is essential to keep your bones healthy and strong. If not taken in proper amounts, your body risks developing osteoporosis. It will be a delight to know that cheese is rich in calcium for all pizza lovers, so eating cheese pizza benefits your body.

4. Filled With Lycopene

Lycopene is a non-provitamin A carotenoid in tomatoes giving them their beautiful red color. As pizza sauce is mostly mashed tomato, cheese pizza is filled with it.

Lycopene supports healthy hair, oral health, bone health, and blood pressure and prevents prostate and lung cancer.

5. Mine of Minerals

Pizza is filled with minerals, especially phosphorus and selenium.

Phosphorus is one essential nutrient that develops bones, repairs tissues, and cells, regulates energy, and many other things.

On the other hand, selenium helps maintain thyroid hormone metabolism and DNA synthesis and prevents the risk of heart disease.

Besides all these, cheese also contains butyrate, an acid that boosts your metabolism, thus helping you lose weight.

However, as cheese pizza is a heavy dish, you must eat it in moderation. If eating in excess, none of these benefits are applicable. Instead, you may face several health issues.

Nutritional Values Of Cheese Pizza

Now that you know more or less about whether cheese pizza is healthy. Let us show you its nutritional value so that you can identify whether it is beneficial for you.

NutrientsPer Slice Of Cheese Pizza
Calories213
Total Fat7.8g
Saturated Fat3.6g
Cholesterol14mg
Sodium478mg
Total Carbohydrates27g
Protein9.1g
Potassium.138mg.

Is Cheese Pizza Healthy For GERD Patients?

Is Cheese Pizza Healthy For GERD Patients

It is unhealthy and one of the few foods you should avoid if you have GERD, also known as acid reflux.

Eating milk and dairy food with high-fat content will make you have heartburn or increase the one you already have. Cheese is one of the most common heartburn aggravator.

So, cheese pizza is not healthy for GERD patients.

Can Type 1 and 2 diabetic patients have cheese pizza?

Often many diabetic patients wonder – if cheese is pizza healthy for them.

The answer is that both type 1 and 2 diabetic patients can eat pizza in moderation.

Cheese pizza contains a high amount of refined carbs, which is harmful to diabetic patients and increases hemoglobin A1C. In addition, it’s high in sodium count, which is also risky for diabetic patients.

The high salt intake can increase blood pressure, as most type 2 diabetic patients have it.

Lastly, pizza contains saturated fat, which is the worst enemy for diabetic patients as it can lead to insulin resistance which will affect the blood sugar management of diabetic patients.

Thus, both type 1 and 2 patients can have pizza, but it needs to be maintained and monitored.

Is Cheese Pizza Healthy For Gestational Diabetic Patients?

The rule for moms with gestational diabetes is the same as for any other diabetic patient. You can eat moderately due to the fat, refined carbs, and sodium.

However, if it is a cheese pizza made with healthy and low-fat ingredients, cheese pizza can be beneficial for to-be moms. These pizzas have high amounts of fiber and protein in it. They help the body stay strong and energized during pregnancy.

Adverse Effects Of Eating Cheese Pizza

With advantages come disadvantages. Here are some harms that cheese pizza may cause to your body.

As cheese pizza is high In carbs, fat, sugar, and sodium, it can be harmful when eaten in excessive amounts. Out of moderation consumption of cheese pizza can cause obesity, heart attacks, diabetes, and GERD due to the amounts of carbohydrates and saturated fat it contains.

Furthermore, it can worsen your skin as it is high in sugar and glycemic index. Both of these are the primary causes of acne breakouts.

How To Have A Healthy Cheese Pizza?

How To Have A Healthy Cheese Pizza

Most restaurant-made food is unsuitable for your health. It also applies to cheese pizza. However, it can be healthier if homemade with healthy ingredients or fresh pizzeria pizza.

Just alter some ingredients and toppings, and you can have a healthy cheese pizza.

  • Thin-Crust Pizza

When eating pizza, the crust is the primary choice – thin or thick. If you want to stay healthy, choose a thin crust as it’s low in calories.

  • Whole Grain

Whether you make it home or order, choose whole-grain crust for your pizza. Filled with fiber, a whole grain crust benefits you more than refined flour.

  • Veggies

After crust, here comes the toppings. Though a cheese pizza, you can customize it with various veggies to make it healthier. Fresh veggies will boost your vitamin and mineral intake: tomatoes, onions, mushrooms, bell peppers, olives, basil, etc.

  • Cheese

How can we skip a healthy cheese pizza without choosing cheese?

Instead of regular whole-milk cheese, top your pizza with skim or low-fat mozzarella. Its low in fat and calories but high in calcium.

If you want a low-fat cheese alternative for pizza, try ricotta. It contains mild flavor and less fat and salt, making them healthier.

  • Portion

Portion is a vital part of eating pizza and being healthy. Remember, more pizza means high calories, resulting in being overweight.

Have one slice of pizza from the plate, not the box, to avoid overeating. Also, pair it with a green salad or fresh fruit to make a healthy dinner.

Make It Home

Making pizzas at home is the healthiest choice. Here’s what you have to do.

  1. Mix four ¾ cups of whole wheat flour, salt, and yeast into a bowl according to your measurements.
  2. Then start adding water gently according to your liking. Continue by adding a few spoons of olive oil and beating the dough until it’s smooth.
  3. Let it sit for at least 2 hours at room temperature.
  4. Once the dough has gotten bigger, put it on a flat surface and sprinkle some flour. Then start rolling it till it’s the size of your pizza pan.
  5. Now, coming onto the toppings, use fat-free or low-fat mozzarella or ricotta cheese.
  6. Once done, bake it at the recommended temperature of your oven and enjoy your healthy cheese pizza.

What Are Some Other Healthy Pizzas?

Other than cheese pizza, a few different pizzas stand out as healthier due to their toppings. Here are some we like.

  • BBQ Chicken Pizza Made With Low-Fat Ingredients
  • Arugula, Cherry Tomatoes, and Prosciutto Pizza
  • Spinach, Sausage, and Pepper Pizza

 FAQs:

  • How unhealthy is a cheese pizza?

It can be very unhealthy and harmful for your body if taken from a restaurant that uses high-fat and oily ingredients. Overconsumption of it can lead to several health issues.

  • Is cheese pizza a healthy food?

Typical cheese pizza is not healthy, but it can be made healthy if proper ingredients are used, as mentioned above.

  • Which mozzarella cheese brands are good for pizza?

Low-fat, skim mozzarella is suitable for a healthy pizza. Horizon Organic, Organic Valley,

Polly-O, Boar’s Head, etc., are a few of the brands providing healthy mozzarella for pizzas.

  • Is cheese pizza healthy for weight loss?

Yes, if made properly, it can be good for weight loss. This is because cheese pizza is very high in calories. So, eating it will keep you full for longer. As a result, you eat less and lose weight.

 Verdict

So, is cheese pizza healthy? To sum it up, yes and no. It is unhealthy when bought from fast food chains as they use ingredients high in fat and carbs, making it harmful to your body. The exact reasons also make frozen cheese pizza unhealthy.

However, when made at home or pizzeria with the instructions mentioned above, cheese pizza can be healthy as it is low in fat and carbs and high in protein and calcium.