Pick Up a Piece of Pizza for National Pizza Week

Did you know that the average American eats over 40 slices of pizzas a year? The traditional style of pizza is thought to have originated in Italy; however, it is now enjoyed throughout the world in various styles. Grab a slice of your favorite variety between January 10th to the 17th for National Pizza Week.

A classic pizza consists of pizza dough, tomato sauce, and mozzarella cheese. Without straying from the traditional pizza too much, a great way to spice things up is with the toppings. Each topping that you add enhances not only the flavor profile but also the pizza’s total nutrients.

Of course, you can always pick up pizza from your local pizzeria, however, a more family fun activity is making pizza at home! It’s a process that doesn’t take too long and allows the kids to be involved in making what they’re eating. Children of all ages can lend a hand, from toddlers sprinkling cheese to teenagers making the sauce from scratch, everyone has a job.

It’s All About the Toppings

Pizzerias usually have premade pizzas with an assortment of toppings; however, they also allow you to customize and pick your own. From mushrooms to the fan-favorite pepperoni, toppings are a great way to optimize your nutrient intake. Here are some popular toppings and their nutritional benefits:

Peppers: Bell peppers are full of a variety of micronutrients and each color has a different nutrient profile. They all are rich in the antioxidant Vitamin C which helps to fight off free radicals in the body that can cause disease.

Onions: Although they do not smell the best, onions make a delicious pizza topping. Onions also are a source of fiber, specifically the soluble fiber fructan, which helps feed the healthy bacteria in your colon helping to maintain a healthy gut!

Pepperoni: A pizza party is not complete without at least one pizza topped with pepperoni. Adding a few slices of pepperoni to a pizza is an easy way to add more protein to the meal. However, use in moderation as pepperoni is high in saturated fat.

Mushrooms: If you are looking to add a savory flavor without adding meat, you can always use mushrooms. They are naturally low in sodium and full of B-Vitamins which are essential to the body for the breakdown of the macronutrients: fat, carbohydrates, and protein.

Olives: A popular food in the Mediterranean diet for several reasons, olives are a source of the monounsaturated fat oleate, which can have a beneficial effect on heart disease. Like onions, olives also are a source of fiber.

Making A Pizza

After a long day at work, it may be tempting to just stop on your way home for a pizza. However, it is so much more fun, and not to mention easy, making a pizza at home. You can use all premade ingredients and just assemble the pizza yourself or start from scratch. Here are some at-home pizza making tips:

Going for Convenience: If you are someone with a jam-packed schedule you may not be able to make everything from scratch. However, you don’t have to substitute flavor for convenience. Many pizzerias have at-home kits that just require assembly, or they may allow you to buy their dough and all you have to do is supply the sauce and cheese!

Separate the Jobs: If you have a lot of little helpers, put everyone to work with small tasks. Depending on the children’s age, you can have some shredding cheese while the others are mixing the dough. Breaking up the tasks will save time, which means delicious pizza sooner.

Preheat the Oven: Make sure that the oven is hot, very hot, to ensure proper cooking. If you are using a pizza stone, preheat in the oven before putting the pizza on it for a crisp and yummy pizza.

Picking the Cheese: Although you may be tempted to use fresh mozzarella, this may leave you with a soggy pizza due to its high-water content. Instead, choose a part-skim mozzarella.

At the end of the day, there is no wrong way to eat or even make a pizza. Just don’t forget to celebrate National Pizza Week with a delicious slice between January 10th and 17th.

Your Turn to Action: What is your favorite pizza topping? Let me know in the comments below.