Category — Low calorie

There are dozens if not hundreds of different ways to make quick and easy pizza at home. What you need is a spirit of adventure and a willingness to be creative. Combine that with a selection of healthy ingredients and you have well…healthy pizza.

Here’s a recipe for making pizza for one. A serving that consists of two small pizzas made with two Whole Wheat Arnold Thins sandwich halves, tomato sauce, sweet peppers, sweet corn, diced cooked chicken, and reduced fat shredded Mexican cheese blend is only 300 calories.

If you are making pizza for more than one person increase the ingredient amounts by the total number of people, unless you have a hungry crowd who can afford more calories. This recipe keeps the calorie count low by limiting the amount of cheese. For anyone who can afford the extra calories and a little more saturated fat go ahead and add more cheese. Or make more little pizzas for each person.

This recipe is good for using up leftover cooked chicken as well as whatever fresh or frozen veggies you might have on hand. And it’s nutritious. Two small pizza halves serve up 28.5 grams of protein, 7.8 grams of dietary fiber, 424 mg of calcium, 24 mg of vitamin C, and only 11.8 grams of fat (5.1 grams of sat. fat). (37.3 grams of carbs).

I did not include seasonings here so you can season to taste. Go easy on any salt but do add oregano or other no calorie herbs to your hearts content.

Roasted Chicken Pizza

(serving for one person on a low calorie diet)

Ingredients

1/4 cup tomato sauce

1 roll (2 halves) Whole Wheat Sandwich Thins (Arnold)

1/4 cup chopped or thinly sliced green peppers

1/4 cup whole kernel sweet corn (fresh or frozen, thawed)

1.5 oz. diced cooked chicken breast

3/8 cup reduced fat Mexican cheese (1/4 cup + 2 Tbsp. or 3 tbsp. per pizza)

Season as you might like (a little salt, oregano, etc.)

Spread each sandwich thin with half the tomato sauce. (You may want to very lightly toast the bread first.) Add seasonings. Top with green peppers and sweet corn (pre-cook lightly in a microwave oven if necessary). Add diced chicken breast meat. Top with 1/4 cup cheese + 1 tbsp. of cheese on each sandwich thin half. Bake on a cookie sheet in a 400 degree oven for 10-15 minutes or till cheese is melted.

NOTE: If you cannot find Arnold Whole Wheat Sandwich Thins (100 calories per roll) where you live and shop, you may want to try Thomas Whole Wheat Muffins (130 calories per muffin) or a 6-inch whole wheat pita (about 80 calories per pita).

You can keep the calorie count low with this delicious and easy-to-prepare salad by using low fat plain yogurt along with some olive oil mayonnaise. Traditional mayonnaise has about 100 calories per tablespoon. Hellman’s Olive Oil Mayonnaise has just 50 calories per tablespoon. Some people like to use fat free mayo but I don’t care for the taste. After all, we do need some fat in our diets and when it’s not overdone it contributes to the flavor of a prepared dish!

Additional flavor comes from healthy but tasty ingredients including fresh lemon juice, celery, apple, raisins, and curry powder. If you have some leftover chicken from a previous meal this salad can be prepared in minutes.

Serves 4 (1 cup servings) as a main dish or

Serves 8 (1/2 cup servings) for sandwiches

Ingredients:

1/4 cup plain low fat yogurt
1/4 cup Hellman’s Olive Oil Mayonnaise
1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice (whenever possible fresh is best!)
1 tsp. curry powder
2 cups cubed cooked chicken breast (light meat has less fat and calories than dark)
3/4 cup sliced celery
1/4 cup raisins
1 medium diced apple (leave on the skin for extra fiber and other nutrients)

1. Mix low fat plain yogurt, olive oil mayonnaise, lemon juice, and curry powder in a medium bowl.

2. Add chicken, celery, raisins, and apple. Stir to mix.

3. Serve on a bed of mixed salad greens along with a fruit or vegetable side dish for a satisfying low calorie lunch or dinner or add a scoop to whole grain bread for a quick sandwich.

Variations:
Try using craisins instead of raisins.
Instead of curry powder, season to taste with a little salt and some pepper.

1 cup = 212 calories

1/2 cup = 106 calories

Enjoy!