10 reasons why pizza can actually be good for you

The average slice of pizza has 12 grams of protein, according to Chelsey Amer, a registered dietitian. Pizza can help you absorb Lycopene, an antioxidant found in brightly-colored fruits and vegetables, that may lower blood pressure rates.Fresh vegetables are one of the healthiest pizza toppings, according to Amer.Pizzaa beloved food made with dough, tomato sauce, cheese, and various toppingsgot its start in Italy in the late 1700s, according to History.com. Since then, pizza has become loved by millions all over the world. It's estimated that Americans spent $45.1 billion dollars on the greasy goodness in 2018, per PMQ Pizza Magazine.Pizza may seem like an indulgent treat, but the greasy pies really do provide certain nutritional benefits. Here are 10 reasons that pizza is actually good for you, according to the experts.Pizza toppings can be surprisingly healthy.Ordering a pizza that's loaded up with vegetables and lean proteins can provide ample nutrients that a person needs in his or her daily diet. Chelsey Amer, MS, RDN, CDN, and owner of Chelsey Amer Nutrition, told INSIDER that it is all about making smart choices when ordering up your next slice."When we think of pizza, we typically think of greasy comfort food. Pizza doesn't deserve to be demonized as junk food, the way it's often portrayed," Amer says. "Pizza can be a balanced meal and there are plenty of ways to boost the nutrition of your average slice of pizza too. Not all slices are created equally. For example, a greasy slice with extra pepperoni or a deep-dish meat lovers pie may not be your best bets."Pizza can have a lot of protein.The body uses protein to help with daily body functions. According to Amer, the average slice of pizza has about 12 grams of protein, largely coming from the cheese. An adult should consume 7 grams of protein for every 20 pounds of his or her body weight, according to the National Academy of Medicine."Protein is an essential nutrient to help you stay satiated and full, plus as the building blocks for many bodily needs," says Amer. "Everyone has different protein needs. To find out the amount of protein that's right for you, I suggest working with a qualified dietitian."Pizza can help your body absorb lycopene ' an antioxidant found in tomatoes.Lycopene is an antioxidant that can be round in brightly-colored fruits like strawberries, raspberries, and tomatoes. Tomatoes are the base of most pizza sauces. People consume Lycopene to help lower blood pressure and bring down high cholesterol rates, according to the US National Library of Medicine."Lycopene is more readily absorbed from cooked tomatoes compared to fresh," said Amer. One tablespoon of pizza sauce, the approximate amount in one average slice, contains almost 2,000 mcg of lycopene. According to the USDA, that's the equivalent of eating one-half cup cherry tomatoes.See the rest of the story at Business Insider
Click here to read full news..