You want to lose weight, but you love pizza. Or maybe you love pizza and want to lose weight too. How about someone loves tacos and wants to shed off some extra pounds. You’d say no to that right? You’d probably think twice about eating that taco truck food if you knew it would bloat you up. Well you’d be wrong. We’re about to show you how you can eat pizza and still lose weight.
Pizza Is A Healthy Option
For years, the conventional wisdom was that you shouldn’t eat pizza because it’s bad for you. However, in 2017 the American Institute of Stress suggested that pizza may be helpful in reducing stress. They analyzed 19 studies involving over 15,000 participants and concluded that those who ate pizza frequently had lower blood pressure and heart rates. The study authors noted that “stress-related neuro-endocrine and immune systems are among the physiological targets of the potential cardioprotective effects of dietary pizza.” So it appears that pizza, at least in small quantities, may be good for your heart.
A 2018 study from North Carolina State University also provides some evidence that pizza may help with weight loss. The study’s authors asserted that “increased dietary fiber and decreased fat content of pizza, as well as the potential of pre-biotics to modulate the gut microbiota, may account for the reported beneficial effect on overweight and obese participants.” They continued, “although further research is needed to confirm these findings, our results indicate that pizza may be a useful addition to an unhealthy diet.”
Pizza Is A Nutrient-Dense Meal
Another reason that people avoid eating pizza is due to the misconception that it’s low in nutrients. This couldn’t be further from the truth. As noted, pizza frequently contains lots of healthy foods such as vegetables and fruit. What’s more, it also has high levels of dietary fiber. According to the American Institute of Stress, high fiber diets can help to reduce stress and maintain good health.
As for the nutrition facts, a medium (28 inch) pizza contains around 495 calories. That’s not including the optional vegetables and fruit or the soda the person eating the pizza may have. Add another 100 calories for the regular (18 inch) pizza. So, in total, around 600 calories. Few foods provide you with such a large number of nutrients in such small quantities. You can easily consume the recommended daily value (RDA) of vitamin C, potassium, and folate (vitamin B9). Furthermore, like fiber, these nutrients are essential for good health. You can also get vitamin A and vitamin E from the vegetables and fruit that typically come with a pizza.
Pizza Increases Appetite
If you’re looking to lose weight, you don’t want to eat anything that might make you hungrier later on. The last thing you want to do is eat something and then feel the need to go and eat something else to make up for it. This is why pizza increases appetite. It is a frequent mistake to assume that because food is nutritious, it will automatically satisfy you. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Food that is high in fiber can remain in your stomach for a relatively long time. This means that it will keep you feeling hungry for more which explains why pizza frequently increases weight gain.
Pizza Improves Sleep
We all know that food can affect how we feel. It can make us happier or it can make us feel worse. The same is generally true of pizza. It just depends on the individual. Those who eat pizza often report getting sleepy after meals. This is because foods containing starch (like pizza) can promote sleep. According to the Mayo Clinic, foods high in starch cause the release of glucose into the bloodstream. The hormone insulin released in response to the spike in blood sugar then triggers sleepiness.
While this is a common side effect of pizza, it’s certainly not a negative one. In fact, it can be a positive effect. When you wake up feeling refreshed and rejuvenated, it’s usually because your body needs more time to process all the food you ingested during digestion. This is why pizza improves sleep and vice versa.
Pizza Is An Easy Way To Get Family And Friends Together
Last but not least, pizza is a quick and easy way to get family and friends together. You could cook it and share it with those you love. Or, you could order it and have it delivered. No matter what, everyone loves pizza. So, if you’re looking for an easy way to get closer to your family and friends, pizza could be the perfect choice. It’s good for you, it’s good for them, and it’s something you and they can all enjoy.
Before you say no to pizza due to concerns about your health, consider all the positives. It’s good for your heart, it’s good for your sleep, and it’s an easy way to get closer to your loved ones. Not to mention that pizza is yummy! If you’re still worried about consuming the food, then go for smaller sizes or have them delivered. If you’re not, then indulge. After all, it’s good for your health.