Is Vegan Pizza a Healthier Alternative to a Classic Slice of Pepperoni or Cheese? (2024)

FAQs

Is Vegan Pizza a Healthier Alternative to a Classic Slice of Pepperoni or Cheese? ›

Now, vegan pizza isn't perfect — vegan cheese and vegan meat are typically very high in fat and salt, after all — but in many cases, it's a healthier alternative to traditional pizza. Thanks to a vegan pie's lack of meat and dairy, you don't have to worry about consuming cholesterol or carcinogens.

Reduced Cholesterol: Plant-based ingredients can help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol levels, beneficial for cardiovascular health. High Fiber Content: With whole grain crusts and a variety of vegetables, vegan pizza is often higher in fiber, aiding in digestion and gut health.

If you are looking for low calorie food options to help you lose or maintain weight, then a veggie pizza is a much better idea. Meats are higher in fat and protein than veggies, which makes them more calorie dense than vegetables .

Cheese pizza is a big favorite and has less saturated fat than those with sausage or pepperoni. Being a dairy product, cheese is an excellent source of calcium for stronger teeth and bones.

In addition to being relatively easy to make, these pepperoni are considerably healthier than their animal-based counterpart. They're very low in fat – less than 1 gram fat per pepperoni – and relatively high in protein – about 1 gram protein per pepperoni!

Opt for a thin-crust pizza instead of a deep-dish. Skip the stuffed pizza crusts and dipping sauces. Enjoy your slice of pizza with a side salad or cooked vegetables. Top your pizza with lean protein, like chicken strips, instead of processed meat, like pepperoni.

Healthy Pizza Toppings

Turkey sausage and roasted chicken provide a healthy and satisfying alternative to regular pepperoni slices. Bell peppers, mushrooms, and black olives are common pizza toppings, all pleasantly nutritious. Some other nutrient-rich options include butternut squash, tofu, lox, and artichokes.

Lower Saturated Fats: Compared to meat-heavy or extra-cheese pizzas, veggie pizzas generally contain fewer saturated fats, which is beneficial for heart health. Lower Cholesterol: Including vegetables and reduced quantities of high-fat ingredients contribute to maintaining healthy cholesterol levels.

Abundance of Nutrients: Vegan pizza allows you to enjoy the abundance of nutrients found in plant-based ingredients. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and seeds used in vegan pizza are packed with essential vitamins (such as vitamin C, vitamin A, and folate) and minerals (such as potassium, magnesium, and iron).

Can I eat pizza once a week and still lose weight? ›

A deep dish pizza crammed with cheese and pepperoni could be the key to losing weight, according to research from Portugal – but there is a catch. The pizza can only be enjoyed once a week as a “treat”, and dieters must watch the calories strictly for the remaining six days.

While it's okay to eat a piece of frozen, fast-food or pizzeria-style pizza occasionally, it's best to limit consumption to no more than a few times per month. However, for true pizza lovers who want to enjoy this food more frequently, there are ways to make this cheesy dish a whole lot healthier.

Enjoy one slice (about six ounces and 300-400 calories) along with a salad, roasted vegetables, fresh fruit and glass of water or low-fat milk. That's a perfectly sensible plan for almost anyone!

33–37: Vegan Foods You May Want to Limit

Vegan junk food: Vegan ice cream, candy, cookies, chips and sauces generally contain just as much added sugar and fat as their non-vegan counterparts. Plus, they contain almost no vitamins, minerals and beneficial plant compounds.

Now, vegan pizza isn't perfect — vegan cheese and vegan meat are typically very high in fat and salt, after all — but in many cases, it's a healthier alternative to traditional pizza. Thanks to a vegan pie's lack of meat and dairy, you don't have to worry about consuming cholesterol or carcinogens.

“Some of those products, even though they contain high amounts of plant-based protein, may also contain unhealthy ingredients, such as high amounts of sodium or unhealthy fats,” he said. “Being plant-based doesn't necessarily mean it's healthier.”

Whole grain flatbread is high in fiber and can be a healthier base for your pizza. Add a light layer of cheese and plenty of vegetables for a balanced meal. Using a large portobello mushroom as a base provides a meaty texture.

Yes, you heard it here first, folks. Technically speaking, thin-crust pizza is healthier than thick-crust pizza! The thinner a pizza crust is, the fewer calories and carbohydrates it contains. Thin crust pizza also has less salt, less sodium, and less saturated fat.

Good News, Bad News

But many vegan cheeses are made with coconut oil and other saturated fats that do affect cholesterol — and switching up one saturated fat for another isn't likely to result in a healthier lifestyle.

Pizza is high in saturated fats due to cheese and processed meat toppings, which can increase your cholesterol levels as well as risk for heart disease. Eating three-four slices of pizza or more, on a regular basis, can have detrimental health consequences.