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Ask Fitz! Your Fitness Questions Answered -- Pizza that's good for you

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Have fitness questions? Fitz has your answer. Our ThatsFit.com fitness expert -- and now your own virtual personal trainer -- will help you get fit, increase your overall health and do it in a fun way. Drop your questions here in the Comments section below and we'll choose one per week to publish on That's Fit! Learn more about Fitz here.

Q. Hi Fitz. My husband and I totally disagree on the topic of pizza. He's says it's "unhealthy garbage," and I say it's not so bad. What do you think? Stacia

A. I think it can be both ... depending on how you make it. Let's just start with the main ingredients: flour, marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese. Flour if it's white, is not perfect, but not the worst thing in the world either. Marinara sauce which is tomato based is pretty great; full of lycopenes. Cheese is high in fat which is bad, but also high in calcium which is great. So! Our dilemma is choosing the right ingredients which will make pizza more good than bad.

Pizza that's good for you!(click thumbnails to view gallery)

Thin Crust PizzaWhole Wheat Rules!Marinara Sauce for you?Lean ProteinVeggie Veggie

It's really not a complicated solution, and once you've learned the basics you can make or order the best pizza available.

Crust: Choose whole wheat every time and go for the thin crust. Flour is very high in calories, so even with whole wheat crust ... you'll be better off avoiding the Sicilian.

Sauce: Choose tomato sauce. Period. Alfredo, ranch, and barbecue sauces are popular on pizza now. Faggetaboutem!

Cheese: Keep it light! Your pizza needn't be drenched in white goo! Half or less of what is normally used to top pizza is more than sufficient. Also, if you have the ability to choose it ... go with reduced fat cheese.

Toppings: This is where you get to have fun. Douse your pie with as much raw or grilled vegetables and/or fruit as you'd like. Lean, grilled meats are also a great choice. Pepperoni, unfortunately, does not fit into that category.

Stacia, I'm glad to know that the biggest thing you and your husband have to argue about is the healthiness of pizza. And since you've now been given my blessing, make him an Italian meal he'll never forget. Start with a majestic salad and end with some smooching for dessert!

Punches & Kicks,

Fitz

Fitzness.com

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Note: The content presented in this Q. & A section is for informational purposes only and should not be viewed as medical advice or substitute for professional medical care.

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