Munchies Monday: Like a Big Pizza Pie

I can remember way too many weekend nights Freshmen year where my friends and I would come home from a fun night out to find ourselves picking up a cell phone and dialing Dominoes. A common college-student craving is that soft dough dripping with hot tomato sauce, melted cheesiness, and layers of other perfectly picked toppings: PIZZA.

Today’s Munchies Monday post examines this favorite food of college kids. Whether grabbing a slice from the dining hall or sharing a to-go order with friends, pizza makes for a delicious, fast, and filling eat. However, students aren’t the only ones enjoying this dish; According to the National Association of Pizza Operators (yes, apparently such a group exists), 93% of Americans eat it at least once a month, translating to 350 slices of pizza eaten across the country every second!

Pizza does not have to be deemed an unhealthy indulgence, but often excessive amounts of toppings and way-too-big proportions turn this food into a fattening treat.

Here are some tips for making your pizza healthier:

• Choose a leaner meat topping, like turkey sausage, Canadian Bacon, or reduced fat pepperoni.
• Pick a low fat cheese topping, like mozarella made with 2% milk.
• Load up on nutrition-packed veggies, like bell peppers, onions, and tomatoes, taking it easy on calorie-rich options like olives.
• Go for thin crust over thick crust, and pick whole wheat.
• Pair your pizza with a healthy salad so you don’t go crazy with proportion sizes.

Some hot pizza spots in Boston include Upper Crust Pizzeria, Regina Pizzeria in the North End, Angora Café (known for their flatbread pizzas), and Crazy Dough’s. Of course, there are the old standbys of Dominos and Papa John’s.

An easy, inexpensive, and healthier way to enjoy pizza is to make one at home. Most grocery stores sell ready-to-bake pizza dough. In the past, I’ve used regular slices of wheat bread, English muffins, and tortillas (hello flat bread!) to create my pizza base. Then all you need is some grated cheese, marinara sauce, and veggies like spinach, grape tomatoes, or broccoli to spruce up your pies. Pop you creation in the toaster, and soon you'll be saying Papa Who's?

Buon appétit!

What’s your favorite or most creative pizza topping? Bonus point for naming the song used in this post's title!

Today's Recommended Read: What's in that Slice? (NYTimes)