San Diego Experts Weigh In - Pizza, Health and the Economy

In recent years, an increasing number of studies haveside for extra vegetables and fiber to avoid overeating
emerged offering evidence that some pizza mayon the pizza. It wouldn't hurt to add some lean protein
actually provide a number of health benefits. Betweento the salad or pizza to help you feel more satisfied at
the cheese, crust, toppings, and oils, pizza fulfillsyour meal while eating less. As a general rule of thumb,
servings in each of the recommended six categoriesstick to two slices with a nice salad on the side."
that make up the food pyramid, created by the USDAJanc also recommends that you compare nutritional
Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion. Theseinformation of different pizzerias and pizza types
studies may come as a pleasant surprise for many, asbefore ordering. "The top three areas to pay attention
pizza is not only an economical food, but the Americanto when considering nutritional information are serving
Dairy Association also reports that the pies aresize in relation to calories, fat grams and sugar count."
America's fourth most craved food behind cheese,For pizzerias like FLIPPIN' PIZZA, New York Style, that
chocolate and ice cream.don't add extra sugar and oil to the dough or sauce,
Pizza and HealthJanc notes, "For sugars, you want to consume right
According to a Men's Health article in 2005, scientistsaround 1-2 teaspoons per serving, which is the
contributing to the European Journal of Clinical Nutritionequivalent of 4-8 grams. The sugar count in an
found that eating pizza can reduce your risk of a heartaverage slice of FLIPPIN' PIZZA falls well within this
attack. In a four-year study of nearly 1,000 Italians,range."
those who ate pizza at least once a week were 30%Pizza and the Economy
less likely to experience a heart attack than those whoThe media have said it, "SD Economic Forecast Looks
did not consume pizza. This is contributed, in part, toPretty Bad" (San Diego Union-Tribune, Sept. 2007),
pizza's cardio protective ingredients, including natural"San Diego Economic Prosperity Falls Behind Rest of
olive oil and tomato sauce.Nation" (KPBS, Mar. 2008), but what does it mean for
Further elaborating on the health benefits of tomatothe food and beverage industry? According to the
sauce, Lisa Mozing, MS, RD, FADA reported in a 2005Bureau of Labor Statistics, food costs have increased
article in LifeScript, that lycopene, a natural antioxidantover 4.5 percent, partly due to higher fuel costs.
chemical found in tomatoes and tomato sauce, is"The increase in food costs for providers typically
thought to reduce the risk of certain types of cancer.translates to increased food prices for consumers,"
Dr. Mozing reports that Italian scientists also discoveredsays Farley. "In the food service industry, rising food
that in a study of 8,000 people, those who ate pizzacosts also affects labor and utilities costs. To stay in
as a healthy snack one or more times per week werebusiness, full-service restaurants have no choice but to
several times less likely to get mouth and colon cancer.raise their prices and fast food establishments have no
The tomato, she reported, is suspected to be behindchoice but to cut corners on quality ingredients or lose
the results that pizza lowered esophageal cancer bytheir budget-conscious customers."
59%, colon cancer by 26% and mouth cancer by 34%.To feed a family of four a nutritious, plentiful meal,
With more than 69,000 pizza restaurants in the Unitedprices typically start in the low twenty-dollar range. To
States as of July 2006, as reported by Pizzafeed a family of four with pizza, salad and beverages
Marketing Quarterly, Americans have a variety ofat FLIPPIN' PIZZA, New York Style, Farley notes the
options when it comes to choosing pizza. But mostprice is right around $25.
experts agree that healthier pizza options are not"Pizzeria establishments should feel secure, despite the
found in the frozen food section or at major fast foodslowing market," notes Farley. "We offer a food with a
chains. Patrick Farley, owner of Knockout Pizzeria oflot of health benefits for an extremely reasonable
Carlsbad and Oceanside and FLIPPIN' PIZZA, Newprice. Fast food restaurants can't compete with the
York Style, of La Costa, Vista and Encinitas notes,nutritional benefits and full-service restaurants can't
"While these studies offer an interesting perspectivecompete with the prices."
on pizza, it's important to be selective about what kindsJanc adds, "Some people have the misconception that
of pizza you choose and where you purchase pizzaimproving eating habits means doubling the expense.
from. If you choose to eat out, look for pizzerias thatFamilies that don't want to spend as much on food
use all fresh, whole food ingredients and don't addtypically go to fast food restaurants, but if you shop
extra sugars and oils to the dough or sauce. Thesearound, look for specials and make better, more
additives may taste good, but they don't provide anyhealthy choices in general, you're already making steps
nutritional benefits. Also, consider adding fruit, vegetablein the right direction without spending more. Plus, what
or meat toppings to ensure you're touching upon eachyou'll save on doctors' bills will make it worth the
of the recommended food groups."effort."
Jessica Janc, owner of Body & Soul Nutrition,With approximately three billion pizzas sold every year
agrees. "A lot of my clients don't want to give up pizzain the U.S., according to the National Association of
because it's a Friday night family tradition, and theyPizza Operators, and evidence continuing to emerge
don't need to. If you're going to eat pizza, make itabout the health benefits of certain types of pizza,
healthier by ordering it in a certain fashion. Choose thinconsumers can feel financially and economically sound
crust pizzas that are lighter on the cheese and heavierenjoying their Friday night pizza traditions for a long
on the vegetables. And always have a salad on thetime to come.