The Perfect Slice to Make at Home
During the summer you don’t need to feel guilty about stocking the freezer with pizza-like snacks. Just make sure your picks compare nutritionally to an average sandwich, says Vancouver-based registered dietitian Ramona Josephson. Ideally, each portion should fall between 270 and 360 calories, contain at least 9 grams of protein (opt for chicken over fatty sausage toppings, where possible), have less than 550 mg of sodium (generous because it is a processed food), and have 5 grams of fat or less. Using these suggestions, we found a family from Loretto, Ont. with three boys—aged eight, 10 and 11—to munch away. Here’s how some of the national brands stacked up.
A+ - TOP PICK
McCain Deep ‘N Delicious (3 Cheese: mozzarella, Parmesan and cheddar)
230 calories, 7 g fat (3 g saturated fat, 0.2 g trans fat), 12 g protein, 30 g carbohydrates (5 g fibre;
8 g sugars), 460 mg sodium per one 96 g pizza. $6 for eight.
This mini pizza gets top marks for packing a 20% punch of calcium thanks to the heaps of cheese. And it was also the only one of the few options to offer a decent amount of fibre. All three boys in our taste-testing family said it was their favourite. Why? The big cheese factor, of course. The verdict: A winner. Add some veggies for extra nutrition, such as sliced red peppers or tomatoes.
B+ - GOOD CHOICE
Heinz Hot Bites Stuffed Bagel Bites (pepperoni & cheese and pizza sauce)
210 calories, 7 g fat (2.5 g saturated fat, 0.2 g trans fat), 8 g protein, 28 g carbohydrates (2 g fibre, 8 g sugars), 580 mg sodium per six pieces (85 g). $3 for 15.
These tasty nuggets struck a delicious balance between crust, cheese and spiciness, managing to please all three boys, although they may be too spicy for sensitive eaters. The verdict: Perfect for eating on the go, too. If you have time, cook them in the oven. The microwave made the dough pretty tough, according to our taste-testing mom.
B - SALT MINES
Pillsbury Pizza Pops (Three cheese: mozarella, provolone, romano)
250 calories, 10 g fat (3.5 g saturated fat, 0.3 g trans fat), 10 g protein, 30 g carbohydrates (1 g fibre, 3 g sugars), 720 mg sodium per one pizza snack (100 g). $4 for four.
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