# Help me make a semi-healthy pizza **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 11, 2010, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-make-a-semi-healthy-pizza/524546 "2010-01-11T19:40:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2010, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-make-a-semi-healthy-pizza/524546/1 "2010-01-11T19:40:33Z")
I saw some random Food Network show that made me want to have pizza, but in a more healthy way. So I bought some Boboli pre-made dough (I can’t make dough, I have issues with yeast, no not what you think!! ;)) Anyway, I’m kind of stuck on what to put on it. I have pizza sauce and cheese of course, and thinking back to pizzas I’ve eaten, I’m going to stick to bell peppers (orange or yellow because they’re not as bitter), some jalapenos, onions, mushrooms, and fresh spinach. I wanted olives, but I only need a handful, not a whole jar, so that’s out of the question. No pineapples though, nor any fruit. I’m trying to think of what other vegetables I can put on my home-made pizza but am kind of stuck on what tastes good and what I can put on pizza without it sucking. I want to mix it up with some more veggies but don’t know what would taste good on a pizza. ---
**Author:** ![misling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3ab097/32.png) [@misling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/misling)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2010, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-make-a-semi-healthy-pizza/524546/2 "2010-01-11T19:45:43Z")
I’ve also had sun-dried tomatos, plum tomatoes, eggplant, sliced zucchini, and chopped garlic. Not all on the same pizza. ---
**Author:** ![Simmerdown](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simmerdown/32/14859_2.png) [@Simmerdown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simmerdown)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2010, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-make-a-semi-healthy-pizza/524546/3 "2010-01-11T19:50:44Z")
Artichoke. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2010, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-make-a-semi-healthy-pizza/524546/4 "2010-01-11T20:04:54Z")
When I was in Sicily, I had a pizza with green peas on it. It was surprisingly yummy. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2010, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-make-a-semi-healthy-pizza/524546/5 "2010-01-11T20:07:18Z")
Pillsbury makes a perfectly fine pizza crust. You’ll find it in a tube next to the biscuits at your local grocery store. The thin crust is the best. You can also find small cans of sliced olives if you look. Try a basic Margherita pizza - sauce, fresh basil, mozzerella. Random hint - Aleppo pepper sprinkled over the pizza gives it some zing. ---
**Author:** ![ascensions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@ascensions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ascensions)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2010, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-make-a-semi-healthy-pizza/524546/6 "2010-01-12T21:09:26Z")
If you want healthy and like thin crust, try a baked tortilla (6 min @ 450) with some provolone and turkey peporroni… Super healty! ---
**Author:** ![freckafree](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/freckafree/32/3050_2.png) [@freckafree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freckafree)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2010, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-make-a-semi-healthy-pizza/524546/7 "2010-01-12T21:19:35Z")
Turkey sausage (especially if made with all white meat) is a healthy option for a meat topping, if you were avoiding meat under the assumption that all choices out there are fat-laden. Turkey pepperoni has more fat than white-meat sausage, but it has far less fat than regular pepperoni. Roasted asparagus is yummy on a pizza. A bit of advice about cheese, too – the stronger the cheese, the less you need to get a good cheese flavor. ---
**Author:** ![myskepticsight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cc9497/32.png) [@myskepticsight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/myskepticsight)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2010, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-make-a-semi-healthy-pizza/524546/8 "2010-01-12T21:58:21Z")
Turkey pepperoni/turkey sausage and veggies you like or fresh spinach, artichoke, and chicken I made a spinach and chicken one recently and it was yummy, and I had one with those toppings and artichokes at a pizza joint in town a few months ago and it was fantastic. ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2010, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-make-a-semi-healthy-pizza/524546/9 "2010-01-12T22:11:46Z")
I like chopped broccoli on pizza. Either finely chopped, or larger pieces that are pre-steamed to soften them. I usually chop them really small and put them on raw, though. ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2010, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-make-a-semi-healthy-pizza/524546/10 "2010-01-12T22:57:53Z")
I’m thinking of using some small chunks of chicken breast or turkey, that meat is usually the “good” kind. I think I’ll have a bit of diced tomato on it too, lots of people have suggested that to compliment the sauce. Add to that some minced garlic, and the asparagus idea sounds really great. Not too sure about broccoli. I’ve heard that broccoli has a slight bitter taste that doesn’t go well with other foods and I don’t want it to ruin my pizza. Also, I have no idea what an artichoke tastes like so I’m afraid of using it. Never cooked with it, probably have only eaten it a few times in my life. ---
**Author:** ![JKilez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e5b9ba/32.png) [@JKilez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKilez)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2010, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-make-a-semi-healthy-pizza/524546/11 "2010-01-12T23:03:41Z")
> [@Skammer](#): > > I like chopped broccoli on pizza. Either finely chopped, or larger pieces that are pre-steamed to soften them. I usually chop them really small and put them on raw, though. In some circles, broccoli is a pizza staple–it is the other ingredients that are up to debate (but broccoli and spinach work especially well together). Artichoke _hearts_ are also tasty on pizza. They provide a good complement to the tomato/cheese base (and work with olives and a sprinkling of feta). ---
**Author:** ![LVBoPeep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/858c86/32.png) [@LVBoPeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LVBoPeep)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2010, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-make-a-semi-healthy-pizza/524546/12 "2010-01-12T23:24:53Z")
I use the Boboli’s, they can be quite tasty. Here is what I do, any of these things can be left out but this pizza (maybe not the crust 😉 could be “served in a restaurant” according to my SO. I cut up chicken very small and dice 2-4 strips of proscuitto (I get these in the minimum amount at the deli counter) as well. In olive oil, I sweat some minced garlic for a minute, then add the chicken and proscuitto. I salt lightly and use either pepper or both pepper/red pepper flakes (hot!) to taste. I drain it well and set aside. I make two because I love onions and mushrooms too, which I saute separately but my SO doesn’t. I make up the crusts/sauce, put the chicken mixture directly on the sauce along with any heavier veggies (like the mushrooms/onions mixture). I cover with cheese and then add olives, mild pepperocini rings and a sprinkling of pine nuts. The proscuitto doesn’t add to much fat, think of it as seasoning the chicken, but it really adds a layer of flavor that, coupled with the pine nuts, is just awesome IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2010, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-make-a-semi-healthy-pizza/524546/13 "2010-01-12T23:36:17Z")
You might want to try those tangy pickled sliced yellow bananna peppers that usually come in a jar. Very little heat, but a nice tang that compliments a simple pizza with say cheese, onions, and mushrooms IMO. Put enough on to taste, but not enough to overwhelm everthing else. Thats my favorite pizza order, except I also have pepperoni on it as well, which probably isnt healthy. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2010, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-make-a-semi-healthy-pizza/524546/14 "2010-01-12T23:37:28Z")
> [@ascensions](#): > > If you want healthy and like thin crust, try a baked tortilla (6 min @ 450) with some provolone and turkey peporroni… Super healty! I was going to suggest flour tortillas, too. If you like cracker crust pizza, flour tortillas do a surprisingly good job of mimicking a cracker crust. (Boboli is too thick for my tastes.) Plus you save a lot on calories (as well as carbs, if you’re watching that.) As for healthy toppings, I like roasted eggplant, roasted red bell peppers, zucchini, and mushrooms on my pizza (though not necessarily all of those at the same time.) If I’m keeping calories down, some thinly sliced chicken breast (cooked separately, before topping the pizza) goes well with the above ingredients. ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2010, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-make-a-semi-healthy-pizza/524546/15 "2010-01-13T01:26:52Z")
My favorite, favorite, favorite pizza is: spinach, caramelized red onions, goat cheese, canadian bacon, olive oil, garlic. Sooooo Yum. ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2010, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-make-a-semi-healthy-pizza/524546/16 "2010-01-13T02:56:43Z")
I’d try the proscuitto, but it’s so expensive! And what does it mean to “sweat” the garlic? I think enough people have suggested eggplant that I’m going to put some on. Maybe just a little bit in one corner to test it out. I’ll be daring later 😃 ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2010, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-make-a-semi-healthy-pizza/524546/17 "2010-01-13T03:01:21Z")
For healthy, cut back on the cheese. Use as little as you can get by with. You’ll have reduced the grease content considerably. ---
**Author:** ![Anna\_Nimity](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Anna\_Nimity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anna_Nimity)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2010, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-make-a-semi-healthy-pizza/524546/18 "2010-01-13T03:07:30Z")
I buy the fresh pizza dough from Trader Joe’s or Fresh & Easy. It comes in a bag, enough for one medium pizza, and its inexpensive…about $1.25. I like it much better than Boboli, which is too “bready” for me. I make homemade pizza all the time but I’ve never tried the artichokes, sounds yummy. Some good ideas here, I can’t wait to try carmelized red onions. I make my own pizza sauce in the blender, comes out better than the stuff in a jar. I use tomatoe sauce, fresh basil, oregano and fresh garlic. ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2010, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-make-a-semi-healthy-pizza/524546/19 "2010-01-13T03:23:14Z")
> [@YogSosoth](#): > > I have pizza sauce and cheese of course. Why not ditch the pizza sauce and just use some fresh sliced tomato?. Add a little crumbled feta cheese and drizzle on some olive oil. That’s it. I’ve recently started making pizza with pre cooked [naan](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naan) bread. Since it’s pre-cooked, I frreze it before cooking. It cooks in around 8 minutes at 375deg. ---
**Author:** ![LVBoPeep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/858c86/32.png) [@LVBoPeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LVBoPeep)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2010, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-make-a-semi-healthy-pizza/524546/20 "2010-01-13T03:35:44Z")
> [@YogSosoth](#): > > I’d try the proscuitto, but it’s so expensive! > > And what does it mean to “sweat” the garlic? > > I think enough people have suggested eggplant that I’m going to put some on. Maybe just a little bit in one corner to test it out. I’ll be daring later 😃 Just saute it for a minute, not too long or it will burn. I think (not a chef) it just helps flavor the the oil and softens the garlic a little. I agree the proscuitto is expensive, that’s why I go to the deli counter and just get a couple of thin-cut slices. You don’t need much, I can usually get enough for about $1.50. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-make-a-semi-healthy-pizza/524546.md?page=2)