Few people had a slice of pizza and disliked it. In fact, a lot of people can’t get through a week without a pizza ‘fix.’ The number of takeout pizza outlets we have access to is a testament to this. When you look at a delicious slice of pizza, you want to justify its healthiness. There are plenty of vegetables on it; cheese is good for you, etc. These are just some of the ways people think when they want to believe that pizza is good for you. Unfortunately, this is not the truth of the matter.

Pizza is full of calories, fat, and salt. It’s the food of choice for many. Children and teens eat it at school or when they go out. Parents bring home a pizza after a long day at the office. We’ve all seen the TV shows where dinner was a disaster, so the family orders pizza instead. The other thing about pizza that makes it a dietary problem is that few people can eat it in moderation. We develop the mentality that the box needs to be ‘cleaned out’ as soon as it arrives. This leads to overeating.

The fats and oils in pizza contribute to obesity. The result of obesity is heart disease or Type 2 diabetes. The fats also help high cholesterol levels which are very bad for your heart. The high levels of salt (sodium) in pizza can lead to high blood pressure.

Not all pizzas are the same. Some are unhealthier than others. If you’re buying pizza in a shop, read the labels and compare them. The toppings on pizza can also affect how healthy they are. If you include vegetable toppings and healthy, unprocessed meats like anchovies, your body will get some nutritional benefit from pizza.