Question of the Week: Healthy Pizza Choices?

The following question was submitted by one of my readers, "Friday nights my family & I have dinner at our favorite pizza restaurant. Now that I've been diagnosed with diabetes I don't know what to order. Could you help me with what (if anything) I can order?"

It is still possible to enjoy pizza as part of a healthy diet as long as you watch your portions and follow these guidelines when ordering:

a. When choosing toppings, stick with healthy fresh veggies such as peppers, onions, tomatoes, and mushrooms. Avoid toppings such as extra cheese, meatballs, ham, pepperoni, and sausage.

b. When possible, look for a whole wheat crust and/or thin crust. Avoid thick crusts, deep dish, or crusts stuffed with cheese.

c. Portion size is important. Stick with one slice and have a side salad (dressing on the side) prior to eating your pizza.

d. Skip the breadsticks and/or the garlic bread. Pizza already contains plenty of carbohydrate.

e.  **Avoid dipping sauces such as those available at Papa John's.

An even better alternative to dining out in a pizza restaurant is to make your own at home.  Many supermarkets carry fresh pizza dough (whole wheat), pizza sauce, and low fat/skim mozzarella cheese.  This way you can control the toppings and ingredients!  It is also fun to make it together.  Another option is to use the whole grain English muffins instead of the pizza dough.