Can you eat pizza on a diet? Is it possible to eat pizza and still lose weight? Almost everyone loves pizza. It’s one of those all-purpose comfort foods that seem to improve everything.
You can, thankfully, still eat pizza while losing weight. However, pizza may appear to be your worst enemy if you’re trying to lose weight. Those cheesy, greasy toppings on the carb-rich base will quickly add pounds, so exercise caution.
This article covers all you need to know about eating pizza on a diet, from losing weight to critical steps for including pizza in your diet, and the frequently asked questions about this topic. (Reminder: This website participates in an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees linking to amazon.com and other sites.)
Can You Eat Pizza and Still Lose Weight
Pizza, fortunately, can be avoided when dieting. Following some basic guidelines, you can still enjoy pizza while on a weight-loss journey. For example, watch your portion sizes to incorporate pizza into a healthy diet. It’s also important to remember that pizza is about more than just the pizza; it’s also about all those delicious but high-calorie pizza toppings.
So, if you believe that pizza is your number one enemy when trying to lose weight, you are correct. The dieter’s best friend has never been pizza. And it’s unlikely that it ever will be. Pizza is, of course, the best friend of obesity; it also enjoys the company of another friend: beer or wine! For many, one of life’s little pleasures is enjoying a pizza with a wine bottle or a couple of beers.
Some people consider it to be their favorite food. So why not? It’s filling, delicious, and ideal for sharing with friends and family.
How To Eat Pizza On a Diet
Can you eat pizza on a diet? If yes, then how? One way to enjoy pizza while losing weight is to eat it in moderation. Please limit yourself to one or two slices of pizza and pile on the veggie toppings to help offset the carbohydrate load of the pizza itself. Buy pizza slices rather than the whole pie to avoid temptation. Thin-crust pizza has nearly half the carbohydrate content of thick-crust pizza. To reduce calorie and fat content further, try making pizza at home with a thinner crust and less cheese.
And, of course, keep in mind that pizza is only one component of a healthy diet and exercise regimen. When trying to lose weight, pizza does not have to be off-limits; it just requires some moderation and mindful choices. So, are you ready to eat pizza and lose weight?
- Most pizzas are cut for you; a standard serving will see the pizza served to you already cut into eight portions; instead, ask the restaurant or takeaway to cut yours into smaller portions, such as 10 or 16.
- Compared to most types of pizzas, Margherita pizza is healthier than other pizzas because there are no toppings on it other than tomato sauce and cheese.
- Choose the ‘Thin Crust’ option whenever possible; it can provide up to 50% less carbohydrate per portion.
- Always eat your pizza sitting at a table using a knife and fork. Under no circumstances should you consume pizza from a box.
- Choose a topping with a bit of a kick whenever possible. As you will see on other pages of this website, it is a scientific fact that the hotter (spicier) your food is, the more calories your body will burn.
- If you order out, check if your favorite pizzeria has a LITE menu.
- Make your own pizza at home so you are aware of all the all ingredients. Try using a pizza oven.
- Add a little extra physical activity into your day after you eat pizza. Don’t just sit around and watch the game. Play some pizza games and activities.
So, look no further if you want to eat pizza while losing weight. Try these suggestions. Whether you make your pizza or order it from a restaurant, you can take steps to make pizza a healthier and lower-carbohydrate option. So, give these tips a shot if you’re ready to pizza the night away while also losing a few pounds!
Pizza and the Bliss Point
But do you understand why? Scientists create foods like pizza in expensive labs to cleverly trigger our brain’s reward zone. Pizza affects the same area of the brain as cocaine, heroin, and alcohol. So, dopamine is released by the brain every time you consume sugar or carbohydrates (the happy hormone). It will then be coursing through your veins immediately, almost before you swallow the food, and you will feel great.
Did You Say, ‘Eat Sugar’
Sorry, I did. Pizza is considered a carbohydrate-dense food; for simplicity, think sugar when you see the word carbohydrate. It will hit the dopamine receptors in the brain shortly after being converted to sugar. It is designed to do so, and as a result, you will be unable to stop eating the second or third slice.
The Pizza Diet Struggle
This chemical reaction, known as the tipping point, can be extremely difficult to resist. This is true if you are in a struggle to lose weight and pizza is everywhere. Of course, at that point, you are no longer in command; everything is out of your hands.
Food manufacturers spend millions of dollars to find the “bliss point” for each food: that irresistible balance of sugar, salt, and fat. Because these foods are designed to bypass our standard fullness mechanisms, you could eat them all day and still not feel complete. Your body becomes less sensitive to these foods over time. As a result, you must eat more to experience the same dopamine rush. You will also experience withdrawal if you do not consume your daily or weekly quota. It’s like a designer drug in a convenient package.
Thick Crust Pizza
As a result, when trying to lose weight, pizza, in particular, can be a challenge. Regarding carbohydrate consumption, all those greasy toppings and thick pizza crust can quickly add up. But pizza can be off-limits when you’re trying to lose weight.
There are ways to enjoy pizza while losing weight as long as you follow some basic guidelines. As previously stated, incorporating pizza into your healthy diet entails keeping a close eye on portion sizes and opting for lower-calorie toppings like vegetables over high-fat ones.
Getting It Delivered
Pizza, of course, is high in calories, fat, and sodium. A typical slice of pizza contains up to 40 grams of carbohydrates and more than 10 grams of fat, not to mention the sodium found in pizza sauce and toppings. If you regularly eat pizza, these high-calorie and unhealthy ingredients can quickly add up, sabotaging your weight-loss efforts.
Break Up With Pizza
Cutting out pizza can be one of the toughest things to do when trying to lose weight. It’s delicious, simple to prepare, and highly addictive. However, if you want to lose weight, you must break up with pizza.
If you are having stomach troubles you may need to break up with pizza too! People who are lactose intolerant may have trouble with digesting pizza. If you need to get a colonoscopy you may need to temporarily break up with pizza too.
Eating Pizza and Still Losing Weight
Limit your pizza nights to one per week at most, and keep reminding yourself that it’s not the pizza that’s the issue; it’s how much you eat. Make it a rule to always go for absolute quality, and leave the large portions to your obese friends.
Carbs Are the Problem
One of the most serious issues with traditional pizza is its high carbohydrate content. This causes blood sugar spikes, leading to increased hunger or sleepiness.
Fat Is OK
However, we are happy to inform you that you can be reassured about the fat content of your pizza as long as it is not combined with excessive carbohydrates. And the best part is that cutting carbs while increasing fat consumption will result in weight loss!
Low-Carb Recipes
Fortunately, numerous “low-carb” recipes are available for making your delicious pizza. You can even involve the entire family in creating delicious, healthier, lower-carb, less processed versions of your favorite flavors. Low-carb bases are simple to make by combining beaten eggs and grated cheese.
FAQ: Can You Eat Pizza on a Diet?
Question 1: Can I Eat Pizza and Still Lose Weight?
Answer: Yes, pizza can be included in a weight-loss diet. Choose lower-fat pizza toppings like vegetables, eat smaller portions, and incorporate pizza into your exercise routine by exercising with pizza in hand to make pizza a healthier choice while on a weight-loss journey. Also, keep in mind that one pizza should suffice.
Question 2: What Is the Best Pizza Topping When on a Diet?
Answer: Vegetables, lean meats, and low-fat cheeses are all excellent pizza toppings for those on a diet. These toppings can help lower the calorie and fat content of pizza, making it a healthier option. Additionally, choose thin-crust pizza to reduce the calorie and fat content further. Also, keep this in mind. Moderation is key when trying to lose weight, so include pizza as part of a healthy diet and exercise routine.
Question 3: Is It Best To Eat Thin Crust Rather Than Thick Crust?
Answer: When it comes to pizza crust and weight loss, there is no definitive answer because the best option will depend on your personal preferences and dietary needs. On the other hand, choosing a pizza with a thin crust may be one way to make pizza a lower-calorie option while on a weight-loss journey.
Final Words
The savory melt-in-your-mouth cheese, the sweet sauce, and the fluffy yet crispy crust are all delicious. Few of us can say “no” to the combination of flavors and textures when assembled on a pizza pan. Every day, approximately 40 million people in the United States sit down to enjoy a slice. While there are numerous reasons why our country has such a high obesity rate, we can’t help but wonder how big a role all that pepperoni and cheese-stuffed crust is playing.
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