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Pizza’s Carbohydrate Content is a Plus

in The Too Busy to Diet Blog on October 4, 2016

Many people fear carbs and gluten because they are afraid of weight gain. But carbohydrates can de a healthy part of your daily diet. Gluten-free diets are also unnecessary for most people without celiac disease or gluten insensitivity.
People who follow strict diets do not realize that pizza can be a healthy and tasty option. Carbohydrates are healthy and beneficial, especially for those who are physically active.
Cereal, bread, pasta are not the only carbohydrates you can find in the grocery store. Carbohydrates are more all-encompassing than you think, and many other foods fall under the carb umbrella than many people realize. Natural sugars found in fruits and vegetables represent the simplest form of carbohydrates, and it may be obtained in these forms: lactose, fructose, and sucrose. Starches are those sugar units that are bonded together, and naturally occurring starch can be found in rice, beans, peas, and other grains. Fiber is also made of this bonded sugar, and fiber occurs in vegetables, whole grains, peas, dry beans and bran.
Why are Carbs Beneficial?
Carbs make people happy. It is believed that the intake of carbohydrate-rich foods can increase the amount of serotonin produced by the brain, because carbs can help increase the tryptophan ratio over other amino acids. Tryptophan is an amino acid that is important for serotonin level rise. People who follow a low carb diet may experience more depression, anxiety, and anger than those eating a low-fat, high carb diet that focuses on low-fat dairy, whole grains, fruits, and beans.
Carbs are your body’s main source of energy-. They fuel your life and especially physical activity. The main energy source required comes from glucose coming from the starches and sugars you eat. The reason carbs get such a bad rap is that extra sugar available from glucose formation gets stored in muscles, the liver, or other parts of your body and can be converted into fat if the body does not need it for energy. Carbs main use is to fuel your body and brain.
Complex carbs such as whole wheat bread, brown rice, oatmeal, high fiber cereals, lentils and whole beans keep you on your mental game and help with memory. Research has shown that people eating whole grain-rich diets have a 20%-30% reduced risk in developing type 2 diabetes. Carbs are also not your heart’s enemy. Research has found that cutting carbohydrates does not protect against coronary heart disease. People who avoid carbs tend to replace them with animal based protein, rather than plants and fiber that reduce coronary incidents.
How can you make a Pizza Healthy?
Whole grain crusts will provide extra fiber. It is much healthier to choose lighter cheeses, such as a combination of part-skim mozzarella, sharp provolone, goat cheese, and naturally low fat Parmesan. Pizza night is a great way to use whatever veggies you have in the fridge; there are no rules, just can toss it on. Pizza is one of those foods that folks mindlessly shovel, so it’s worth paying attention to portions. Opt for hearty, healthy pizza toppers like roasted squash and meaty mushrooms. Swap out fatty meats like pepperoni and pork sausage for thinly sliced cuts of low-fat salami, turkey bacon and chicken sausage.
Homemade pizza can help increase its healthiness because you have control over the ingredients and you can also creative touches that ordered pizza generally do not allow. Making your own sauce can instantly improve the quality of a pizza recipe. It would be great to think beyond red sauce and try pesto or some good olive oil and fresh garlic. Fresh chilies and red pepper flakes are a good match for more subtle flavors like fresh tomatoes and herbs. Adding a salad with lots of veggies can add healthy fiber, vitamins, and minerals. They can help reduce pizza portions by filling you up.
Carbohydrates and gluten can actually be healthy additions to the American diet despite unfounded fears. Carbohydrates can help athletes and average people to increase energy intake to improve athletic skills and strength. Pizza can be a healthy choice especially if you watch your portions and make your own pizza at home.
Written By:
Tracy Williams
Nutrition Graduate at Dominican University
Speaker, Writer, Blogger