Who says pizza can’t be healthy? It hits all the major food groups: dairy, protein, wheat and vegetables, without having to sacrifice a comfortable meal. Don’t believe us? Here are just a few health benefits that go along with eating pizza.

Not Fried

Unless you go to a specialty pizzeria or a food festival, you’re not likely to find many fried pizzas around. Most fried fast foods contain high levels of saturated and trans fats. This is one of the main components in fast food that makes it both addicting and destructive to your body. Going the route of eating a slice of pizza over french fries or fried chicken is the healthier option.

Unprocessed

Highly processed foods are known for being lower in nutritional value, as they focus on an increase of fats and calories instead. However, a local pizza place, like Stan’s Pizza Joint, will serve up pizzas that are loaded with fresh ingredients that haven’t spent weeks or months in a freezer.

Real Nutrients

If you’re trying to increase your vegetable intake, then load up your pizza with nutrition-packed high fibre greens that are sure to help you reach your daily requirements. Tomatoes for example, the main ingredient in most pizza recipes, contain Lycopene. This is a powerful antioxidant that’s been linked to lowering the levels of certain cancers.

Tomatoes also help in improving heart and blood vessels, strengthen bones and repair skin. Cooked tomatoes are even better, as they’re easier for the body to absorb and contain higher levels of Lycopene.

Whatever beneficial effect specific vegetables have on the human body will, in turn, benefit you with each one you add to your pizza. The vitamin C in onions can help to regulate blood sugar and blood pressure. Mushrooms contain potassium, necessary to keep your central nervous system functional. The vitamin E and monounsaturated fat in olives helps to prevent cell damage and increase good cholesterol. The list goes on, but the point is that a pizza is only as healthy as the ingredients you put into it.

Increased Calcium

Both cheese and tomato sauce are good sources of calcium, especially when combined on a pizza. On average, one slice cut from a 14-inch pizza can contain up to 220 mg of calcium. Since the average person needs about 1,000 mg of calcium per day, just down five slices of pizza and you’re good to go! Adding other calcium-rich foods like spinach, broccoli or seafood will increase your intake even more. As calcium is needed to help strengthen your bones and keep your nerves and muscles functioning well, you might consider this option if you need a bit of help in those departments.

At Stan’s Pizza Joint, located in Burnaby, BC, we serve only the finest and freshest ingredients for our customers. We are best known for our homemade customized pizza and pasta dishes. With great service and even better prices, stop by any day of the week and we’ll soothe your food cravings.