Healthy Naan Pizza Recipe - Pizza Just Got Even Better! (2024)

FAQs

Is naan bread pizza healthier? ›

Naan is lighter than a regular pizza base. So, when you load it up with delicious healthy toppings, you've got yourself an EPIC healthy weeknight dinner.

Opt for a thin-crust pizza instead of a deep-dish. Skip the stuffed pizza crusts and dipping sauces. Enjoy your slice of pizza with a side salad or cooked vegetables. Top your pizza with lean protein, like chicken strips, instead of processed meat, like pepperoni.

In fact, the only real key difference between pizza and naan lies in the dough. While pizza dough is lean—that is, it's made of just flour, yeast, salt, and water—naan dough is an enriched dough—that is, it's got dairy in it.

Every food, including pita bread and naan, can have a place in a healthy diet when trying to lose weight, as long as they're enjoyed in moderation. The higher protein content in naan will allow you to feel fuller for longer, curbing cravings that cause excess snacking.

Opt for whole wheat naan if you're looking to maximize your health benefits, and try to serve it alongside other nutritious foods.

Fast-Food Pizza

Pizza sold in fast-food restaurants and convenience stores is among the unhealthiest of choices. It tends to be the highest in calories, unhealthy fats, carbs and sodium.

Yes, you can use pizza dough for naan bread. It won't be “authentic” naan but it will be a tasty flat bread.

Focaccia bread is a popular Italian flatbread that makes an ideal base for pizza. Thick, hearty focaccia stands up well to heavy toppings and has lots of holes and dimples to trap melted cheese and sauce. Focaccia dough is made from bread flour, olive oil, salt, yeast, and warm water.

Higher protein content means higher gluten content, as we now know, so using bread flour in your pizza dough will result in a stretchy dough that's less likely to tear. You get a very chewier, more bread-like pizza crust when you make your dough with bread flour.

Problems with naan: naan is calorically dense due to the refined flour. 100 grams of naan contains 310 calories, compared to 100 grams of steamed brown rice, which contains 125 calories.

Is naan bread healthier than regular bread? ›

Is Naan Bread Healthy? Naan bread can be part of a healthy diet, especially if you choose whole grain varieties. Naan bread contains vitamins and minerals like niacin, fiber, and iron, as well as fiber. It also is a good source of carbohydrates, which provide energy.

Opt for a Thin Crust Pizza

If you are counting carbs or trying to cut back on calories, a thinner crust can help you keep on track. You'll consume less bread with the thin crust variety, reducing carbs and overall calorie count.

Not all Indian food will beat out the others, though simple vegetarian fare likely will. A heavy hand with the oils can make them surprisingly heavy and less-than-optimally healthy. I'd say a simple pizza -- crust and modest amounts of sauce and cheese -- is likely the healthiest.

Probably the biggest thing to be aware of even if it's a healthier pizza is simply the calories.."It's not unhealthy, but it's not that much better for you," Skolnick said. "This really comes down to flavor.