Dr. Tofuhead apologizes for spelling mistakes in recent posts. I'm new to this blogging thing- it's been awhile since I had to proofread!
Thanks to alan who notes that nuts are cheaper if you belong to a food co-op. In fact, food co-ops and some health food stores offer food in bulk, including nuts. Food in bulk is the way to buy food- you pay for the food, not the packaging. In fact, you can bring your own re-usable packaging! Anecdotally, Dr. Tofuhead has found bulk foods to be fresher AND cheaper than packaged foods. And you would be amazed what you can find in bulk.
Thanks to my brother Randy who is responsible for the images you will now find on this blog.
With no further ado...
FOOD OF THE WEEK: PIZZA
INTRODUCTION:
In theoretical particle physics, the atoms of which the Universe is made are like squirrels in the park- cute, but so common that we tend to be underwhelmed by them. It is the subatomic particles, of which atoms are made, that are more revealing- of no less than the origins of the Universe and the laws and questions that characterize it. Take a dull Hydrogen atom and split it into the more bizarre particles that make it up; and suddenly you are at least 0.5% closer to understanding the Big Bang itself!!!!
A similar thing happens when you split the concept of Pizza into its constituent parts. Take Pizza as a whole- a "fast food" perhaps? Something to be ordered at 3AM when you are "baked?" Greasy, fatty, fattening, filling, and fast...pizza has a bad rap as a food that is not terribly healthy.
So let's dissect the most basic pizza.
1. tomatoes: by weight, tomatoes are sometimes the main constituent of pizza (sometimes it's cheese). Tomatoes are superb sources of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and anti-oxidant nutrients. In fact, in terms of anti-oxidants few fruits or vegetables can compare with tomatoes.
2. cheese: depending on how much cheese is on a pizza, cheese can outweigh the tomatoes. But the cheese is usually mozzarella. Of course, most cheese has fat- but mozzarella has less fat than the majority of cheeses, with plenty of calcium and protein.
3. dough: pizza dough is water, yeast, salt, and wheat flour. Lots of carbs- and lots of zinc, folate, trace minerals, and a few vitamins. Carbs are not actually "bad" anyway- in fact, they are the most energy-efficient fuel for the human body. We simply live in a society that is so awash in carbs that many of us carry around too many carbs in the form of a "spare tire."
Take those 3 relatively healthy ingredients, and you've got pizza. Of course, it's only American to pile a bunch of fatty and unhealthy shit on top of your pizza. But that's not Pizza's fault: that's your fault. Use the lists below to guide yourself into creating Pizza that is GOOD, not BAD, for you.
1. HEALTHY THINGS TO PUT ON YOUR PIZZA
Anchovies
Any vegetable
Feta cheese
Garlic
Pine nuts
Pineapples
Lean grilled chicken
Basil
2. UNHEALTHY THINGS TO PUT ON YOUR PIZZA
Sausage
Ground beef
Pepperoni
Bacon
Salami
Hint: I know it's not fair to tell you not to put meat on your pizza, ever. If you do, choose Canadian Bacon. It's actually lean ham and has MUCH less fat than the other meat choices.
Personal Testimonial: Dr. Tofuhead eats pizza 2-3 times per week. He is not overweight, his blood pressure is perfect, and his cholesterol levels are astoundingly good.
No comments:
Post a Comment