How to Make Pizza Low Fat

If you are trying to watch your fat intake, you do not have to choose between fat and flavor when you make a pizza. Many low-fat products are available that make a pizza taste good, including vegetarian “meat” options that taste great with little fat. Here is how to make a low fat pizza.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1 low-fat pizza crust
• 1 8 oz. can of low-fat pizza sauce or tomato sauce
• 1 8 oz. package of 2 percent mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup vegetables and/or vegetarian toppings
• Spices to taste (Italian seasoning, oregano and basil)

1. Familiarize yourself with the nutritional information that is included on most food labels. Look for the part of the label that says, “Total Fat.” You want this number to be as low as possible, as a low-fat diet is under 40 g of fat in a day. Below “Total Fat” is “Saturated Fat.” This is the “bad fat,” so you want this number to be as close to zero as possible.

2. Find a low-fat pizza crust. Flour, which is the main ingredient in a pizza crust, is low in fat. Look for a pizza crust that does not have butter or heavy oil added.

3. Purchase a low-fat pizza sauce or tomato sauce. Tomatoes do not have fat in them, so it is easy to find a tomato sauce that is low in fat. Look for a tomato sauce that does not have a lot of additives, such as oil, that add fat. Using the back of a spoon, spread the pizza or tomato sauce onto the pizza crust, up to an inch from the edge of the crust.

4. Buy low-fat mozzarella cheese. While fat-free cheese provides the least amount of fat, it does not always melt well or taste as good. Instead, select one of the 2-percent options, which are low in fat but still melt like regular cheese. Sprinkle the cheese on top of the pizza or tomato sauce.

5. Select low-fat toppings. Most fresh vegetables are going to be low in fat. If you prefer meat toppings, consider trying some of the many vegetarian options that are available. Most vegetarian meats are low in fat, and many taste like the real thing, especially on a pizza. Vegetarian Italian sausage crumbles are particularly good and can often fool non-vegetarians. Place the low-fat toppings on top of the cheese.

6. Liberally apply spices. Spices are fat-free, so use all you want. A sprinkling of Italian seasoning, oregano or basil can add flavor to your low fat pizza without adding fat. Sprinkle the spices on top of the cheese and toppings.

7. Cook your pizza at 350 degrees F for 7 to 9 minutes (or follow the instructions that came with the pizza crust). Then, enjoy a tasty, low-fat meal.

Tips & Warnings

• Try different brands of vegetarian “meats.” Some brands taste more like the real thing than others do.

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[ursaminor]

on 5/16/2008 This sounds like just what I've been looking for! And I agree about some of the vegetarian meat substitutes. You have to look around a little for the really delicious ones, but they're there. I love Boca products, and Morningstar Farms foods are excellent, too. 5 stars.