Pizza Is a Healthier Breakfast Than Cereal, According to a Nutritionist
Updated: May 28, 2020One dietitian explains why pizza can be a healthier breakfast than cereal. Pizza lovers, rejoice!
A nutritionist just called pizza a healthier breakfast than cereal—a win for those of us who love a good slice. It turns out that all kinds of delicious pizza recipes could be a better choice than a bowl of America’s favorite breakfast food.
“You may be surprised to find out that an average slice of pizza and a bowl of cereal with whole milk contain nearly the same amount of calories,” registered dietitian Chelsey Amer told The Daily Meal. “However, pizza packs a much larger protein punch, which will keep you full and boost satiety throughout the morning.”
That may seem counterintuitive when you consider that pizza isn’t exactly a health food. But according to Amer, “A slice of pizza contains more fat and much less sugar than most cold cereals, so you will not experience a quick sugar crash.” Basically, it’s a more balanced way to start the day than with a bowl of sugary flakes.
To put things in perspective, a single serving of the very popular morning treat Frosted Flakes contains 110 calories, less than a gram of fiber, 10 grams of sugar and only 1 gram of protein. Still, there are even worse offenders: Honey Smacks is made up of nearly 56% sugar by weight, which translates to 16 grams of sugar per serving (about the same as a Twinkie!). That’s nearly two-thirds of the amount of added sugar an average woman should consume in a day according to the American Heart Association. Of course, there are cereals on the market that are healthier than a slice of pizza, but most any with a cartoon character on the front of the box falls short of a being part of a balanced breakfast.
Just keep in mind that while pizza may be lower in sugar and higher in protein than your favorite morning cereal, it can be very high in fat and salt. So, it’s probably best to save this breakfast-of-champions for when you have limited options and choose a better-for-you breakfast most mornings. If you’re looking for a go-to morning meal, our easy breakfast ideas are made with 5 ingredients.
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What makes this recipe unique is the slow overnight fermentation of the pizza dough. The flour has time to hydrate and relax, which makes the dough so much easier to roll out! —Josh Rink, Taste of Home Food Stylist
Artichoke Chicken Pesto Pizza
Make pizza night an upscale affair with this fun twist on the traditional pie. A prebaked crust and prepared pesto keep things quick and easy. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho P.S. Check out this genius pizza storage container and never deal with soggy, dry, or inedible leftovers ever again!
Barbecued Chicken Pizzas
So fast and so easy with refrigerated pizza crust, these saucy, smoky pizzas make quick fans with their rustic, hot-off-the-grill flavor. They're perfect for impromptu cookouts and summer dinners on the patio. —Alicia Trevithick, Temecula, California
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This recipe is a hearty, zesty main dish with a crisp, golden crust. Feel free to add your favorite toppings. —Marianne Edwards, Lake Stevens, Washington
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I've spent years trying to come up with the perfect pizza crust and sauce, and they're paired up in this recipe. I fix this crispy, savory pizza for my family often, and it really satisfies my husband and sons. —Susan Lindahl, Alford, Florida
Bacon-Chicken Club Pizza
A chicken club pizza topped with lettuce, tomatoes and dressing? You’re in for a treat! Vegetables give the cheesy crust a cool crunch. —Debbie Reid, Clearwater, Florida
Grilled Tomato Pizzas
My husband and I make grilled pizza with a tangy balsamic glaze, and it tastes as if we used a wood-burning oven. —Michele Tungett, Rochester, Illinois
Deep-Dish Sausage Pizza
My grandma made the tastiest snacks for us when we stayed the night at her farm. Her wonderful pizza, hot from the oven, was covered with cheese and had fragrant herbs in the crust. Now this pizza is frequently a meal for my husband, our family and me. —Michele Madden, Washington Court House, Ohio If you like this recipe, we think you'll love this crazy crust pizza just as much (if not more)!
Garden-Fresh Grilled Veggie Pizza
I have four gardens, including one just for herbs, so I always have a pretty good spread of produce. I created this loaded-up pizza as a fun summer appetizer using some of my best garden goodies. —Dianna Wara, Washington, Illinois
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Fans of spicy chicken wings will love this rendition that turns it into pizza. Serve it up with blue cheese dressing and crisp celery, just like the tasty original. —Shari DiGirolamo, Newton, Pennsylvania
