Pizza Night at Home!
Save money and eat better by doing Pizza Night at Home! Yesterday on KVOA I talked about ways to avoid the empty calorie bomb of refined white flour pizza dough with some ideas for the best frozen pizzas and a couple do-it-yourself ideas! Click here to view the segment.Better Frozen PizzaMade with whole grains and organic ingredients, these are the best options for a freezer pizza.Naked Pizza
Naked Pizza lists wheat flour as the first ingredient, which is a refined flour, but this is followed by a mixture of whole grains, making this pizza my top pick. I first chose it because it offers nitrate-free pepperoni and when I saw that it was made with whole grains, it became an instant favorite! This is for my my husband and kids since this is a gluten-containing pizza. For those who do not have celiac or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, opt for the chicken or veggie option and you'll slash the saturated fat found in pepperoni.American Flatbread
American Flatbread comes in second with a very clean ingredient list of organic foods, but you won't find any whole grains here.Amy's Organics
Like American Flatbread, Amy's offers organically made frozen pizza on a refined grain crust.Naked Pizza was the only option that I found made with whole grains, which is why is so easily came out on top. I favor the whole grains in the Naked Pizza crust to the organic ingredients in American Flatbread and Amy's because empty-calorie refined grains are so detrimental to our health; even topping with organic veggies doesn't take away the fact that the crust is refined. So enjoy American Flatbread or Amy's occasionally, as you would any indulgence.Do-It-YourselfMake pizza an "everyday" favorite by using a high-quality whole grain crust and organic ingredients. You can do this very quickly and easily at home.
- Top a 100% whole grain tortilla, pita or English muffin with you favorite toppings for a quick-and-easy, anytime meal or snack.
- Look for a ready-made 100% whole grain pizza crust. This is the only one that I could find:
Rustic Crust also has a gluten free crust, made in a dedicated gluten free facility! Unfortunately, like many gluten-free replacements foods, it is not whole grain.
Be sure you get the Rustic Crust Ultimate Whole Grain crust otherwise it will be refined grains. Both varieties passed taste-tests in our house!Pick your toppings and have fun!
- Whole grain crust (100% whole grain tortilla, English muffin, pita pocket or Rustic Crust Ultimate Whole Grain crust)
- Organic pasta sauce
- Shredded organic mozzarella cheese
- Shredded organic parmesan cheese
- Cooked chicken, poached*, organic
- Pesto
- Nitrate free deli chicken or ham
- Crushed pineapple or fresh pineapple
- Sliced red onion
- Diced bell pepper, organic
- Sliced black olives
*Poached chicken: Place skinless chicken breast in a saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil and then turn the heat down and let it simmer until the chicken is cooked through. The chicken will be cooked through when it is all white, firm and if you poke it with a fork, the juices will be clear.Get Adventurous!Try a veggie crust. A friend of mine gave me the first recipe for a cauliflower crust. She and her hubby love it--it tastes great! The only consideration is that you'll have to eat this one with a fork rather than your hands.Cauliflower Crust Pizza
Here's a collection of veggie crusts from one of my favorite nutrition experts Monika Woosley at the InCYST Network.
Material on this blog is provided for informational purposes only. It is general information that may not apply to you as an individual, and is not a substitute for personalized nutrition or health advice or healthcare. Never disregard medical advice or delay seeking medical care because of something you have read or accessed through this website.