It’s Worth the Trip! Chicken, Cheese & Spinach Pizza

Although a vast amount of research shows that cooking and preparing more meals at home is a key habit for successful weight management and optimal health, prior to the COVID pandemic Americans spent, on average 42% of their food dollar away from home. This is because we were leading fast paced lives. COVID changed that, as options for meals became more limited and required the action of preparing more meals at home. For many that adopted this behavior, as a result, there is a likelihood that their waistlines benefited. Hopefully, this benefit will result in this continued practice because, unfortunately, studies also show that eating out just one time a week may lead to a 2 pound weight gain per year.

Foods cooked away from home tend to contain higher amounts of fat and calories while being lower in nutritional quality than foods cooked at home; however, with a little planning, your favorite go-to take-out or restaurant foods can be made at home for a fraction of the cost. In addition, because you are able to control the quality and variety of ingredients, your home cooked versions can be made more nutritious. Believe it or not for many recipes, using whole grains, low sodium, and no added sugar products/ingredients still results in very tasty products.

Cooking more meals at home can even be a family goal. If you have kids, include them in menu planning and meal preparation. Depending on their ages, they can assist with a wide range of tasks, such as assembling lunches for the next day or washing fruits and vegetables. Research shows that children who help with cooking and meal preparation are more likely to consume fruits and vegetables, and they are more aware of the importance of making healthier food choices. Make meals and memories together. Aim to decrease the number of meals that you eat away from home by 1/4th and then 1/3rd to improve overall health and manage weight.

For about the same amount of time and effort it takes to order carry-out or delivery, you can make tasty, less expensive, and more nutritious pizzas at home. This meal solution features a cheese, spinach or vegetable thin crust frozen pizza, served alongside a piece of your favorite fruit. Kick your feet up while your pizza is baking and relax. You don’t even have to worry about why the pizza delivery person is late. You are in control.

Chicken Cheese and Spinach Pizza