Pizza is one of America's favorite foods. Despite its popularity, pizza is often one of the first foods we limit or avoid when adopting a heart healthy diet. While most pizza options are high in fat, cholesterol and sodium, you can still include pizza in a heart-healthy diet by making smart selections.
Crust
Choose a whole-wheat crust instead of one made with white flour. When ordering pizza, inquire if a whole-wheat crust is available or use whole-grain flour when making your own. Premade whole-wheat crust is also widely available.
Sauce
The most common sauce is tomato-based, which is a smart choice. Tomato sauce is high in lycopene, a healthful antioxidant. Steer clear of pizzas made with alfredo sauce or other "white" varieties.
Cheese
Cheese is high in saturated fat and cholesterol, so reducing the amount of cheese makes a heart-healthier pizza. Two strategies to try are asking for half the cheese or requesting no cheese. When making your own pizza, try using reduced-fat mozzarella or 2 percent fat cheeses in place of full-fat options.
Vegetables
Dress up your pizza with as many vegetables as possible. This will add flavor, color and nutrients while keeping you full on fewer calories. You can also enjoy a side salad for extra vegetables.
Meat Toppings
Pepperoni, bacon and sausage increase the saturated fat and cholesterol in pizza. Smarter toppings include lean ham, chicken breast or shrimp. When shopping for ingredients to make your own pizza, look for turkey pepperoni, which has 70 percent less fat than regular pepperoni.
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