Pizza is quite possibly the most popular food in the world. It’s something that is enjoyed in a variety of ways. There are so many styles and toppings to choose from. And pizza is also something that you’ll find at a variety of events or celebrations. It’s a food that can easily feed a bunch of people, and can often be eaten without the use of utensils. Whether it’s a birthday party, watching sports, or just a typical Friday night dinner, pizza is a crowd-pleaser. But if you’re watching what you eat, it’s not always the best option. The good news is, there are ways to make a healthier pizza. Check out some ideas below!
History Of Pizza
According to History.com, pizza has a long history dating back to ancient Egyptians, Romans, and Greeks. The original idea was flatbread with toppings. But the pizza as we know it today, originated in Naples, Italy. The area was a waterfront city that was thriving but full of the poor working class. They needed fast, inexpensive food options, pizza was the perfect solution.
The pizzas in Naples were flatbreads with toppings similar to what we see today: tomatoes, cheese, oil, anchovies, and garlic. Surprisingly, pizza didn’t catch on in Italy until the late 1940s but quickly became popular in the United States thanks to Italian immigrants. The first pizzeria was G. Lombardi’s in Manhattan, which was licensed to sell pizza in 1905. From there, the popularity of pizza only grew. And since then, we’ve seen so many people create their own take on the beloved food, from the type of crust, how it’s cooked, and the topping options.
Customizing Your Pizza
There are so many ways to enjoy pizza. It comes in a variety of sizes, whether you’re eating alone or feeding a large party. And you have options when it comes to the type of crust too. There’s deep dish, pan crust, thin crust, gluten-free, and more. Once you decide on your crust, then comes an even tougher decision… Toppings.
Traditionally, pizza comes with marinara sauce, although some places give you other options for the sauce. And most pizza comes with mozzarella cheese. But again, these are things you can choose to include or not. When it comes to what else goes on pizza, the choices are almost limitless. The most popular pizza topping is pepperoni. And there are many other meat options you can add: ham, sausage, bacon, hamburger, etc. Vegetables are another category of toppings, with everything from onions, peppers, spinach, mushrooms, olives, and more. And for some people, you can even add fruit… because there’s nothing like a great Hawaiian pizza with pineapple.
Healthier Pizza Options
Everywhere you turn, there is a wealth of “health” information and a lot of fad diets. There are also people with food allergies, which means they may not be able to enjoy traditional pizza. Thankfully, there are continually more and more options when it comes to enjoying a slice of pizza. More and more restaurants are catching on to the food restrictions of their patrons and offering more options. But if you’re looking for a healthier pizza option when you’re at home, check out these unique ways to make pizza!
