PIZZA LOSES THE CALORIES, GAINS MORE FLAVOUR

-By Jennifer Murdy, Chilliwack Progress, January 26, 2008

Good news for pizza lovers!

If you’re ditching fatty foods like pizza this year, for health reasons, there are alternatives to doing without.

Switching a few of the traditional fatty staples, and throwing in some fresh extras can turn pizza into a health-lovers’ haven.

The first to go is the crust.

“You’ll cut down a lot on the calories,” says Tanya Shaw, a health and fitness coach. “And because you’re using whole wheat, you’re adding fibre to your diet.”

The next to go is mild cheeses, like cheddar.

“Cheese is high in saturated fat,” she says. And cheddar is so mild, we tend to pile it on to get the flavour.

“But if you use more flavourful cheeses, like old cheddar or feta, a little bit goes a long way.”

Tossing out pepperoni and sausages in favour of roasted chicken is the next step.

“A roasted chicken breast is a nice source of protein,” Shaw says.

Any time you can make simple substitutions rather than eliminating a food altogether, it’s a good choice, she adds.

“Then you don’t feel like you’re depriving yourself,” she says. “You can still have the foods you love, if you make them healthy for you.”

Finally, using fresh chopped vegetables can really kick up the health content of a pizza, while adding some flavour at the same time.

“It’s a really nice way to get your vegetables in,” she says. Healthy living is not about giving up the foods you love- it’s about giving the foods you love a make over.”

Ingredients (serves 2):

Directions:

Marinate chicken breast in olive oil and seasoning. Sautee until cooked through.

Smash roasted garlic onto pita wraps. Next, spread a layer of pizza sauce over the pita wrap. Top pizza with vegetables, chicken and cheese. Bake at 415 degrees on a pizza pan for 12-18 minutes, or until cheese is melted.