A Healthy Alternative to Pepperoni Pizza

Pepperoni Pizza

One slice of pepperoni pizza with a regular crust contains 313 calories and 13 grams of fat. Six of these fat grams are saturated, the unhealthy fats that can raise cholesterol levels and lead to heart disease. The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that adults limit their saturated fat intake to less than 10 percent of total calories, or less than 22 grams a day for an average 2,000 calorie diet. Since pepperoni is a processed meat, it also contains a lot of sodium. A high-sodium diet increases your risk for high blood pressure and heart disease, and the Institute of Medicine recommends that adults limit their sodium intake to 2,300 milligrams a day. Two slices of pepperoni pizza contain 1,520 milligrams of sodium, 66 percent of the daily recommended limit.

Meat Alternatives

Cut the sodium and fat in your pizza slice by topping your pie with chopped chicken breast instead of pepperoni. One ounce of pepperoni contains 138 calories, 12 grams of fat and 493 milligrams of sodium. By contrast, a half-cup of roasted chicken breast provides 133 calories but only 5 grams of fat and 60 milligrams of sodium. If you want a different but flavorful pizza topping, look to the sea. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends that adults eat fish twice a week, because fish provides heart-healthy omega-3 fats. Salmon is one of the best sources of these fats, so make a healthy pizza with strips of smoked salmon, red onion and chopped green peppers.

Vegetarian Pizza

The Produce for Better Health Foundation notes that only 6 percent of adults consume the daily recommended servings of vegetables, so boost your intake by topping your pizza with this healthy food group. A slice of roasted vegetable pizza -- onion, squash, zucchini and eggplant -- contains 205 calories, 2 grams of saturated fat and 244 milligrams of sodium per slice. Or make a harvest pizza with cooked butternut squash as your pizza sauce. Top your pizza with onions, mushrooms and chopped garlic for added flavor.

Tips

Healthy toppings cut the calories in your slice, but you can also make healthier substitutions for the crust and cheese. Choose a whole-grain crust to boost your fiber intake; this important plant carbohydrate maintains the health of your digestive tract and helps control cholesterol levels. Cut saturated fat by using low-fat cheese, or skip the cheese and top your pizza with olive oil and chopped herbs. Olive oil contains unsaturated fats, the heart-healthy fats that might improve blood cholesterol levels. If you need a low-fat, high-fiber protein source, top your pizza with beans. Make a zesty black bean pizza with spinach, tomatoes, onions, roasted red peppers and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.