When we speak about unhealthy foods, one of those that comes into one's mind is pizza. No one can blame them though, eating pizza excessively is linked to several illnesses including obesity and cardiovascular diseases. But what if I tell you experts are now considering your 'junk food' as a vessel of healthy goodness that your body needs to consume?
"When we think of pizza, we typically think of greasy comfort food. Pizza doesn't deserve to be demonized as junk food, the way it's often portrayed," Chelsey Amer, MS, RDN, CDN, and also the owner of Chelsey Amer Nutrition, shared through Insider.
The expert further explained how pizzas could also be considered as a balanced meal, which is full of nutrients, minerals, and vitamins in it. An average slice of a pizza has protein, lycopene, carbohydrates, calcium, fiber, and fat, perfect for your wellbeing.
PROTEIN
"Protein is an essential nutrient to help you stay satiated and full, plus as the building blocks for many bodily needs," Amer further explained.
Your body needs to consume about 7 grams of protein for every 10 kilograms of your weight. A slice of pizza has about 12 grams of protein in it, making it a huge deal in your daily dose for that nutrient.
Protein is the perfect tool to keep you full throughout the day. Aside from that, as the building block for the regulation, function, and structure of the cells, this nutrient is also responsible for keeping your body in shape, according to the Genetics Home Reference.
LYCOPENE
"Lycopene is more readily absorbed from cooked tomatoes compared to fresh," added Amer.
Considered as the major carotenoid that the body needs, lycopene protects the body from damaged lipids, DNA and proteins. It is also known as the cancer cell-fighter that controls the growth of certain types of cancer.
Every piece of your favorite pizza has about 2,000 mcg of lycopene in it. Other foods that contain this nutrient are tomato juice, guava, grapefruit, ketchup, watermelon, and papaya.
But since pizzas are not usually sliced equally, every piece tend to have a different imbalanced contribution of this goodness. Some have higher protein; others have more carbohydrates.
"Remember, one meal won't make you unhealthy or make you gain weight. It also isn't going to make or break your health," exclaimed Amer. But if your consumption is getting out of control, managing what you eat is a must to do. Remember, everything good is best to ingest only in moderation. Not doing so, can always pose a danger to one's health.
