Frederic Melton
Pizza is a beloved dish for many children, and it is no surprise that cheese pizza is a common favorite. While pizza can be a fun and tasty treat, it is important for parents to be mindful of their children's pizza consumption, as it can be a significant source of extra calories, saturated fat, and salt. Preparing pizza at home is a great way to make this dish healthier, as you can control the ingredients and portions. This article will explore tips and tricks for making healthier pizzas for kids, as well as fun ideas for getting creative with toppings!
Characteristics of Cheese Pizza for Kids
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ease of Making | Easy to make |
| Time | Quick |
| Ingredients | Pizza dough, sauce, garlic powder, parmesan cheese, colby jack, mozzarella, etc. |
| Baking Instructions | Bake at 425 degrees for 19-23 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted |
| Health | High in saturated fat, salt, and calories |
| Serving Recommendations | One or two slices paired with salad |
| Allergens | Sesame, milk, eggs, fish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, and soybeans |
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What You'll Learn
Pizza toppings: vegetables, lean proteins, and less cheese
While kids love plain cheese pizza, you can add some extra toppings to make it more nutritious. Adding vegetables, lean proteins, and reducing the cheese can make pizza a healthier option for kids.
Vegetables
Vegetables are a great way to add extra nutrients to a pizza. Try adding spinach, zucchini, mushrooms, tomatoes, roasted garlic, or bell peppers. If you're feeling adventurous, you can also add red onions, cherry tomatoes, Kalamata olives, or even sliced almonds for a crunchy texture.
Lean Proteins
Lean proteins like ground chicken or turkey sausage are a great way to add flavour and substance to a pizza. You can also add pepperoni, bacon, turkey bacon, meatballs, or shrimp for extra protein. If you're making the pizza dough from scratch, you can even add protein to the crust by using Greek yogurt.
Less Cheese
While cheese is a good source of calcium for growing children, it's also high in fat. Consider using a smaller amount of part-skim mozzarella, which turns more golden and bubbly than fresh mozzarella.
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Portion control: one or two slices with a salad
Pizza is a convenient and tasty meal for kids, especially when they can help make it! However, it is important to be mindful of portion control when serving pizza to children. On average, children consume 136 calories per day from pizza, and on the days they eat pizza, they consume more saturated fat, salt, and overall calories. Pizza is a large source of calories, saturated fat, and salt in kids' diets, so it is recommended that they eat no more than one or two slices for a meal.
To make pizza a more balanced meal for kids, serve it with a salad. This way, they can still enjoy their favourite food while getting some extra nutrients. When making pizza at home, you can also add healthier toppings and increase the vegetable content. For example, roasted Brussels sprouts with caramelized onions and goat cheese, or grilled BBQ chicken.
If you're short on time, there are quick and easy ways to make cheese pizza. All you need is pizza dough, sauce, and cheese. Simply oil a cast-iron skillet, press the dough into the pan, add sauce, sprinkle with garlic powder and parmesan cheese, and top with mozzarella. Bake at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for 19-23 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
However, it's important to remember that pizza should not be a daily staple in children's diets. It should be enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced and varied diet.
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Allergens: sesame, milk, eggs, fish, nuts, and more
Cheese pizza is a popular meal for kids, and it can be a fun activity for them to make their own. However, it's important to be aware of potential allergens when preparing this dish for children. Common allergens found in cheese pizza include sesame, milk, eggs, fish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, and soybeans. These allergens may be present in the dough, sauce, or toppings.
Sesame seeds or sesame oil may be used as a topping or ingredient in the dough, so it's essential to check all components of the pizza if sesame is a concern. Milk is a prevalent ingredient, as cheese is the star of the show, and eggs may be used in the dough or as an additional topping. Fish is not a typical ingredient in cheese pizza, but it could be present in the form of anchovies, so be sure to check the labels of any pre-made sauces or toppings.
Tree nuts and peanuts can be more challenging to identify, as they are not always listed as ingredients. They may be used in the manufacturing process or be present in the form of cross-contamination. It's crucial to read labels and, if in doubt, contact the restaurant or manufacturer directly to inquire about specific allergens. Wheat is a common ingredient in the dough, and soybean oil may be used in various pizza components.
To make pizza safer for children with allergies, prepare it at home, where you can control the ingredients. Choose alternative plant-based cheeses and milk products, and opt for egg-free dough. You can also get creative with toppings, adding vegetables and lean proteins while reducing the amount of cheese. Making pizza at home ensures you know exactly what goes into it and allows you to cater to any dietary restrictions or allergies.
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Homemade vs. store-bought: healthier when made at home
When it comes to feeding kids, it's essential to consider their nutritional needs and preferences. Cheese pizza is a favourite among many children, and it can be a quick and easy meal option. While store-bought pizzas offer convenience, making pizza at home allows for customization and potentially healthier ingredients. So, let's delve into the comparison of homemade vs. store-bought cheese pizza and determine which option is healthier for your little ones.
Homemade Cheese Pizza:
Making pizza from scratch can be a fun and rewarding experience for both kids and adults. It allows you to choose fresh, high-quality ingredients and customize the recipe to your family's preferences. When making homemade cheese pizza, you can opt for whole-wheat flour, which is more nutritious than refined flour. Additionally, you can control the amount and type of cheese used, ensuring it is not overly processed. Preparing the dough and letting it rise takes time and effort, but it can be a fun activity to do with your kids, teaching them about food and healthy eating habits.
The real advantage of homemade pizza lies in the toppings. You can boost the nutritional value by adding nutrient-dense toppings such as grilled chicken, fresh vegetables, or herbs. By involving your kids in the topping selection process, you can encourage them to eat healthier options and develop their palates. Making pizza at home also allows you to control the portion size, ensuring your children consume an appropriate amount for their age and activity level.
Store-Bought Cheese Pizza:
Store-bought pizzas, whether frozen or from a local pizzeria, offer unparalleled convenience. On busy days when time is of the essence, popping a frozen pizza into the oven or ordering takeout can be a lifesaver. However, the trade-off is that you have less control over the ingredients and their quality. While some pizzerias use fresh, simple ingredients like olive oil and wheat flour for their dough, others may include additives and preservatives to extend shelf life.
The downside of store-bought pizzas is the potential for higher processing and less nutritional value. They tend to be higher in calories, unhealthy fats, carbs, and sodium. Additionally, the cost per pie can quickly add up, especially if you're feeding a larger family or opting for delivery fees. However, store-bought pizzas offer a wide range of styles and flavours that may be challenging to replicate at home without specialized equipment.
In terms of health, homemade cheese pizza takes the lead. It allows for more control over ingredients, enabling you to choose fresh, nutritious options and customize toppings to boost their nutritional value. However, store-bought pizzas offer convenience and a diverse range of options. As a busy parent, finding a balance between health and convenience is essential. Preparing homemade pizzas when time permits and opting for store-bought on busier days can be a practical approach. Ultimately, whether you choose homemade or store-bought, portion control and mindful consumption are crucial for maintaining a healthy relationship with food.
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Pizza alternatives: grilled cheese, tacos, or BBQ chicken pizza
If your child likes cheese pizza, they may enjoy other savoury, cheese-based dishes such as grilled cheese, tacos, or BBQ chicken pizza.
Grilled Cheese
A grilled cheese sandwich is a classic, kid-friendly option. You can use any type of bread, from mini brioche dinner rolls to hamburger buns, and fill it with a variety of cheeses such as cheddar, gouda, colby jack, muenster, or a combination of these. For the best flavour, be sure to butter the outside of the bread before grilling. You can also add seasonings like garlic powder and Italian seasoning to the butter.
Tacos
Tacos are another fun option that can be easily customised to suit your child's taste. Start with hard taco shells and fill them with ground beef, rotisserie chicken, or seasoned black beans. Top with shredded cheese, fresh salsa, guacamole, sour cream, and shredded lettuce. If you want to ensure that the tacos are warm when served, you can bake them in the oven for about 10 minutes before adding the toppings.
BBQ Chicken Pizza
For a slightly different take on cheese pizza, try a BBQ chicken pizza. This involves spreading a layer of barbecue sauce (perhaps with a kick of Sriracha or Worcestershire sauce) on a pizza base, then adding diced chicken, red onion, and peppers. Top with a combination of mozzarella and Colby-Jack cheese, and perhaps some spinach and cilantro, before baking in the oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
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Frequently asked questions
Kids can help make an easy cheese pizza by sprinkling garlic powder and parmesan cheese on a sauced pizza crust and topping it off with colby jack and mozzarella cheese. Another option is to top a pizza crust with grated mozzarella cheese and bake it at 425 degrees for 19-23 minutes.
To make pizza healthier for kids, parents can make pizza at home with healthier toppings, more vegetables, lean proteins, and less cheese. Pizza should be consumed in smaller portions, and parents should encourage kids to eat pizza with a salad rather than another high-calorie food.
There are many alternatives to plain cheese pizza, including grilled BBQ chicken pizza, roasted brussel sprout and caramelized onion pizza with goat cheese, and pizza grilled cheese.
Common allergens in cheese pizza include sesame, milk, eggs, fish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, and soybeans.
