5 Pizza Myths That Aren’t True, And Here’s Why
Friday, September 1st, 2023

It’s hard to deny pizza’s popularity. Few words pair as well with “party” as pizza seems to, and nothing tastes as good as cold pizza the next day. If you’re a pizza connoisseur, you might think you know all there is to know.
The truth is that few foods are as mysterious as pizza. Keep reading to learn the truth behind five common pizza myths.
Myth: Pizza Is an Italian Food
Believing that pizza is an Italian food is one of the most common pizza myths. Would you believe that its history is much more complicated than that?
Truth
Pizza was first eaten by Persian soldiers in the 6th century BC. King Darius I’s soldiers used their shields to cook flatbread and then added toppings. The concept spread to Greece, where it became a staple in the Greek colony of Naples.
In Naples, people considered pizza a “poor” food as it was cheap. The Greek version of pizza used olive oil and other inexpensive toppings such as:
- Salt
- Lard
- Garlic
- Fish
After becoming an independent nation, Naples became a part of Italy in 1861. However, pizza would remain a regional dish and did not become popular in Italy or beyond for many decades.
Myth: You Can’t Eat Pizza for Breakfast
Most people don’t think of pizza when choosing their breakfast. Eating pizza in the morning has a negative stigma because it seems lazy.
Truth
Some traditional breakfast foods are high in sugar. Pizza contains a balance of carbs, protein, and fats that keep you full for longer. Pizza may not become your go-to breakfast, but don’t sell it short!
Myth: Hawaiian Pizza Came From Hawaii
The origin of Hawaiian pizza is one of the biggest pizza myths. Despite its name, this pizza does not come from Hawaii — but where did it come from?
Truth
A man in Canada, Sam Panopoulos, created a pizza with pineapple on it as a joke with his brother. What started as a gag became a controversy the world over, but it did not originate in Hawaii.
Myth: Pizza Makes You Fat
Pizza has a reputation as junk food, and many people skip pizza because they think it contributes to weight gain.
Truth
Pizza alone will not make you fat, and it’s an acceptable meal in moderation. If you’re trying to lose weight, you can add more vegetables as pizza toppings or use a cauliflower pizza crust.
Myth: Pepperoni Is an Italian Pizza Topping
When people think of “classic Italian” pizza, they think of pepperoni, so this must be how they eat pizza in Italy, right?
Truth
“Peperone” refers to bell peppers in Italian. If you tried to order a pepperoni pizza in Italy, they would give you a pie topped with peppers. Italian Americans in New York City introduced pepperoni as we know it, combining sliced pork and sausage to create the well-known topping.
Celebrate Pizza with a Piping-hot Pie from Pizza Planet
Now that you know the truth behind these common pizza myths, share them with a friend, preferably over a good pizza. We recommend something traditionally Italian, such as extra pepperoni with pineapple.