Would you guess that the #1 food people have trouble giving up when they transition to a healthy lifestyle is pizza?
Yep. It’s the biggest complaint we receive as Coaches.
“Gotta have my Friday night pizza!”
Or, “So I can’t have my pizza, huh?”
We’re here to tell you… You CAN have your pizza, and enjoy it, too! In fact, there are multiple ways to enjoy your favorite splurge meal without the regrets.
1. Cheeseless Pizza
Yes, you heard that right. As much as it might sound crazy, we dare you to try it. Our guess is you’ll actually enjoy the flavor! Here’s our favorite recipe for cheeseless pizza:
Ingredients:
- whole wheat pizza crust
- olive oil
- oregano
- Himalayan sea salt
- Trader Joe’s pizza sauce (or any pizza sauce that has no sugar added); Fixate marinara works as well
- spinach
- mushrooms
- turkey pepperoni
- one large diced tomato
Directions:
Pre-bake whole wheat pizza crust per instructions. Drizzle crust lightly with olive oil and sprinkle with oregano and Himalayan sea salt. Use a spoon to spread pizza sauce evenly. Top first with spinach (use more than what covers the crust, as it shrinks with heat!), and then mushrooms, pepperoni, and tomato. Continue baking and serve with crushed red pepper flakes.
2. Veggie Flatbread
Colorful nearly always means healthy (unless we’re talking Skittles).
Ingredients:
- 1 6½-inch whole wheat pita (or whole wheat flatbread)
- ¼ cup marinara sauce, no sugar added (Fixate marinara works great!)
- ¼ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup halved cherry tomatoes
- ¼ cup chopped orange bell pepper
- ¼ cup chopped yellow bell pepper
- 3 Tbsp. chopped green bell pepper
- 3 Tbsp. chopped broccoli florets
- 2 Tbsp. chopped red onion
Directions: Preheat oven to 350º F. Place pita on a large baking sheet. Spread marinara sauce evenly on pita. Top evenly with cheese. Starting at the edge of the pita, place an approximately 1½-inch circle of tomatoes around the edge of the whole pita. Continue with a 1-inch circle each orange bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, green bell pepper, and broccoli. Make sure each vegetable is touching the previous one. Place onions in the middle. Bake for 5 to 8 minutes, or until cheese is melted. Slice each pita into 4 slices. Serve immediately.
3. Cauliflower Crust Pizza (21 Day Fix Style)
You’ve likely asked, “Is cauliflower crust REALLY that good?” To which we say, “This one is.”
Ingredients:
- 1 medium cauliflower head, cut into florets
- cheesecloth
- Himalayan sea salt and ground black pepper (to taste; optional)
- 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1/4 tsp. oregano
- 1 dash onion powder
- 1 dash crushed red pepper
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
- 2 large eggs
- Nonstick cooking spray (we prefer olive oil spray)
- 3/4 cup pizza sauce, no sugar added
- 4 oz. mozzarella, sliced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, cut in half
- fresh basil
Directions: Preheat oven to 350° F. Place half of cauliflower in food processor; pulse until cauliflower forms a paste. Add remaining cauliflower; pulse until cauliflower is smooth and the consistency of mashed potatoes. Place doubled cheesecloth over a medium bowl. Strain cauliflower by placing it in cheesecloth, in two or more batches, and squeezing water out. Cauliflower will be the consistency of baked potato. Season with salt and pepper, if desired. Combine cauliflower, garlic, oregano, onion powder, red pepper, shredded mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, and eggs in a medium bowl; mix well. Place cauliflower mixture on a 12-inch pizza pan (or baking sheet) that is lightly coated with spray. Press down mixture until it’s very thin. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until golden brown. Top crust evenly with pizza sauce, sliced mozzarella cheese and tomatoes. Bake for 5 to 8 minutes, or until pizza sauce is bubbly. Top with basil and serve sliced.
Click here to watch the video!
4. Pizza Salad
Who’s to say you can’t have pizza flavor in a healthy salad? Here’s our favorite Italian-inspired serving of greens.
Ingredients:
- 1 tsp. olive oil
- Tbsp. red wine vinegar
- Tbsp. tomato sauce, no sugar added
- ½ tsp. dried oregano
- Himalayan sea salt and ground black pepper (to taste; optional)
- 1 cup fresh arugula
- 1 cup romaine lettuce
- 10 fresh basil leaves, torn into pieces
- ½ cup halved cherry tomatoes
- ¼ medium green bell pepper, sliced
- ¼ medium onion, sliced
- ¼ cup sliced mushrooms
- 5 black olives, sliced
- 2 bocconcini (small mozzarella balls) (about 1 oz.)
- 1 pinch crushed red pepper (optional)
Directions: To make dressing, combine oil, vinegar, tomato sauce, and oregano in a small bowl; whisk to blend. Season with salt and pepper if desired. Set aside. Combine arugula, romaine, basil, tomatoes, bell pepper, onion, mushrooms, and dressing in a large serving bowl; toss gently to blend. Top with bocconcini and crushed red pepper (if desired); serve immediately.
We hope you truly enjoy!
Yours in Health & Fitness,
The Body Electric Team