Frozen pizza remains a staple in our freezers. Moreover, the Picard brand is renowned for its quality cooked meals. And one pizza in particular stands out. With a score of 85/100 on the Yuka application, mention “excellent”, it proves that deliciousness and balance can go well together for only €4.99.
A complete pizza rich in vegetables
This pizza is the 4 Seasons Le Bio Pizza. Its recipe focuses on fine dough, a tomato basil sauce and a generous garnish of grilled vegetables (zucchini, eggplant, peppers, artichokes) topped with mozzarella and Emmental. But as a frozen and often ultra-processed product, industrial pizza is not necessarily highly recommended by experts. So should we really ban it?
The answer is clear and it is negative. So rest assured, eating an occasional frozen pizza will not immediately put your health at risk. “The risk lies mainly in the frequency of consumption. For people suffering from hypertension, the salt intake from these products can be problematic if it is daily. explains dietitian Vanessa Bedjaï-Haddad.
The trick to taking advantage of this troubleshooting without feeling guilty? Adopt simple reflexes. As our expert reminds us, “a whole pizza, per person is a lot, in terms of carbohydrates”. The ideal solution is therefore to only eat half a pizza and complete the plate with a generous portion of vegetables.
Sauce, dough, cheese: the ingredients to choose for a balanced meal
Whether purchased or eaten in a restaurant, the quality of a pizza depends on its structure. Choose pasta made from semi-wholemeal or wholemeal flour (spelt, rye) and always prefer a tomato base rather than crème fraîche, which is often more caloric.
For the garnish, dietitian Vanessa Bedjaï-Haddad suggests aiming for a harmonious mix of plants and proteins.
“The idea is then to balance the garnish, by adding vegetables, favoring white ham rather than pepperoni and keeping a light touch with the cheese,” she recommends. Lighter cheeses such as mozzarella, ricotta or fresh goat’s cheese should be favored to limit saturated fats.
“Homemade” pizza: a nutritionist’s secret for the figure
If you have a little time on your hands, the homemade version remains the absolute reference. For the dough, no need to worry: “Homemade pizza dough is ultimately just flour, yeast and water. Nothing too dramatic for your health”, explains the expert.
The major advantage is full control of the ingredients. You can make your own sauce from fresh tomatoes, which is “always healthier and more interesting than tomato paste!”. It’s also an opportunity to boost your meal with nutrients by adding mushrooms or zucchini for vitamins, and proteins like eggs, tuna or chicken.
Good reflexes to prevent cardiovascular risks
Beyond pleasure, certain ingredients can transform your pizza into a health ally. Oily fish like sardines, anchovies or salmon are excellent sources of omega-3. “These ingredients may be interesting to add for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.”reminds the expert again. Likewise, a few olives will provide good unsaturated fatty acids despite their salt content.
Finally, the secret to successful digestion also lies in the support. Our nutritionist strongly recommends serving your pizza with a green salad or arugula to stock up on fiber, while making sure to listen to your satiety.
You have understood: pizza is not the enemy of a healthy diet, provided you choose your product carefully – like the organic reference from Picard – and watch your portions. By accompanying it with raw vegetables and favoring raw ingredients, it remains a balanced pleasure to be enjoyed in moderation.