It turns out you can top pepperoni and sausage as pizza ingredients.
Nichole Andrews, a Washington oncology dietitian and author, revealed five ideas for “tasty, wholesome” pizzas to sub for pies with processed meats like pepperoni or precooked sausage.
The World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer classified processed meat as “carcinogenic to humans” in 2015, noting there is “sufficient evidence from epidemiological studies that eating processed meat causes colorectal cancer.”
Processed meats — which include hot dogs, ham, sausages, corned beef and beef jerky — have been prepared in a way to enhance flavor or improve preservation. The WHO said some of these processes can produce potentially cancer-causing chemicals.
A large-scale study published this year found that people who consume a lot of red or processed meat face a higher risk of colorectal cancer. These odds increase even more for people with certain genetic variants.
Andrews said you can still give pizza a chance by swapping pepperoni for plant foods or chicken.
“There are so many amazing options,” Andrews said recently on Instagram.
Here are five of her knead-to-know recipes.
Veggie delight
“Load up on bell peppers, mushrooms, spinach and tomatoes,” Andrews advised. “Add a sprinkle of fresh herbs for a flavor punch!”
Veggies can lower your risk of cancer because they contain vitamins and minerals that can help prevent the development of cancerous cells, and they boast fiber, which helps to maintain a healthy weight.
Mediterranean
The Mediterranean diet emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains and healthy fats.
The eating plan may reduce the risk of several types of cancer, including colorectal and prostate cancers, because it features foods with anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and antitumor properties.
Andrews recommended topping your pizza with olives, artichoke hearts, cherry tomatoes and a drizzle of olive oil. Sprinkle in some feta crumbles for extra richness.
Margherita makeover
“Keep it classic with fresh tomatoes, basil and mozzarella on a whole-grain crust. Simple but satisfying!” Andrews penned.
Most whole grains are high in fiber, which protects against colon cancer by moving poop through the gut more quickly. The American Institute for Cancer Research recommends consuming at least 30 grams of fiber a day.
White pizza with greens
A diet high in salt has been linked to an increased risk of stomach cancer.
Andrews proposed making a white pizza with a low-sodium ricotta base, kale, garlic and a little mozzarella.
Pesto chicken veggie
Andrews suggested swapping tomato sauce for a low-sodium basil pesto and adding zucchini, rotisserie chicken, roasted red peppers and spinach.
Rich in beta-carotene, vitamin C and fiber, spinach may help protect against colon and breast cancers.
