Super Pizza

Pizza may have Italian origins, but it is as American as apple pie. I’m frankly tired of people thinking of pizza as junk food. Sure it can be-- if your pizza is dripping with fatty cheese, greasy meat and devoid of vegetables. But just as Clark Kent, a mild-mannered reporter for a great metropolitan newspaper is really Superman; the kid-pleasing favorite pizza can be a superhero in disguise if you make good choices.

Superman's outfit starts with his blue suit and pizza starts with the crust. As everyone knows this is a serving of grain, but making your pizza with whole wheat flour makes this a serving of whole grain. Go for it; you might just like it. Maybe try half white flour or and half whole wheat if your family is not ready for the total switch. The crust provides carbohydrates for energy, fiber and is a good source of B vitamins.

Just as Superman has his red cape, pizza has deep red tomato sauce. Rich in vitamin C, tangy tomato sauce is a surprising health promoter. It is kind of like when Clark Kent found out that he could lift a car off a trapped child. Tomato sauce contains the plant chemical nutrient lycopene which may help prevent some kinds of cancer.  

Superman has strong muscles so he can leap over tall buildings in a single bound. Well, pizza has protein to help kids strive to do the same. A child aged 7 to 10 needs 28 grams of protein per day and a child age 11 to 14 years old should get at least 45 grams of protein each day. Choose your protein source. Cheese has protein, and if you use that please choose lower fat varieties. Sadly the meats most people use on pizza are very high in saturated fat. Try something different—I like tofu and veggie pepperoni on my pizza.

Now my favorite part—the vegetables. The photo is from a pizza I picked up from Spatola’s in Paoli, the newest pizza place near me. Look at all of those wonderful vegetables. This gourmet pizza was loaded with spinach, broccoli and fresh tomatoes.

To most kids telling them a food is good for them does to meal time what placing Superman in a room with kryptonite does. While most of us may think of pizza as just a fun food, it is sure nice to know that pizza can help parents overcome the problem of getting kids to eat food that is good for them. Kids like pizza and pizza is healthy food. How cool is that!

What is your favorite pizza?