Pizza Has All The Major Food Groups

Our modern lives are busy and eating well balanced meals can sometimes be difficult. Often people want to eat out because it is more convenient on a busy day. Finding a main dish that contains all the food groups can be a real time saver and make you feel a little better about choosing to eat out. Pizza can offer the best of both worlds. This main dish is a balanced meal containing all the food groups, plus convenience.

Grains

The pizza crust is important, not only to deliver those mouthwatering toppings to your anxiously waiting taste buds, but to provide vital nutrients from grains. The dough for our pizza crust is made from high protein wheat flour. Wheat contains carbohydrates that our bodies need for energy, fiber and protein. Some wheat flours have extra vitamins added such as Riboflavin (B2) and folate, both of which are important for many different processes in the human body.

Traditionally-made dough also contains some antioxidants from the chemical reaction of the yeast. You can really taste the difference between a pizza with a freshly made crust and one with a precooked crust.

Vegetables

Vegetables are a common and delicious topping for pizza. These toppings provide an array of nutrients and including multiple servings of vegetables in your diet every day is a necessary part of a healthy lifestyle. When used as a pizza topping instead of meat, vegetables can reduce the fat content of your slice. Peppers, onions, and mushrooms are all very popular and can add a satisfying flavor with a little crunch. Some pizzas even include greens such as lettuce or spinach.

Fruit

Although many people consider it a vegetable, tomatoes are technically a fruit. Those tomatoes are the main ingredient in pizza sauce, offering a great source of the cancer-fighting antioxidant lycopene. Many people choose chopped or sliced tomato as a topping too.

Other fruits aren’t quite as common as pizza toppings, but are still delicious choices. Pineapple offers a good dose of vitamin C and avocado is an excellent source of omega-3’s.

Dairy

The warm and gooey cheese is one of the most loved parts of a pizza and is part of the dairy group. Real cheese is a good source of the calcium we all need for strong bones and teeth. Cheese is also a good source of protein. If you aren’t in the mood for mozzarella, some specialty pizzas include other flavors of cheese such as cheddar.

Meat

If you get meat on your pizza, it is an excellent source of protein. There are usually several options for meat toppings. Pepperoni and Italian ­­sausage are traditional choices that just make pizza that much more delicious. If you want a lower fat choice, meats like grilled chicken or Canadian bacon are tasty too. Ham and ground beef are usually lower fat than pepperoni and sausage and can be a compromise in the middle. Anchovies are a good source of omega-3’s, niacin, and are low fat as well.

All meat is high in protein and iron, which are necessary to build muscle. Additionally, meat provides the extremely important vitamin B12. This vitamin is essential for brain health and used throughout the body for many important life sustaining functions.

Oils

Oils contain fats that are necessary for our body, but it is important to get the right kind. Most fast food is fried in oil high in saturated fat, often far exceeding our daily requirements. Traditionally-made pizzas contain olive oil, which is an important source of heart healthy omega-3’s. Those heart healthy fats can help your body more efficiently absorb the nutrients from your veggies too.

One more advantage

Since pizza contains all the food groups, it may be easier for you to consume a reasonable serving. Those food groups together provide more nutrients than your standard fast food fare. If your food has more nutrients, you are more likely to feel satisfied by a smaller portion. Your body’s nutritional needs are being met, which signals your brain that it’s time to stop eating.

Pizza can be a convenient, nutritious, and delicious choice for your busy life. Pizza Planet has something for everyone’s taste. Give us a call at (806) 352-6666 to place your order or visit our website to view our menu. You can also Contact Us via email with any questions, comments, or concerns you may have. We are located at 6801 Bell St in Amarillo, Texas.