Heart healthy pizza ideas?

[TallisHay]

I would like to create a healthy pizza, open to making own base or purchasing a decent one with no naff ingredients. Am happy with wheat so not looking for alternatives to that.

DH is keeping an eye on cholesterol at the moment, so would likely use lower fat mozzarella or feta (sparingly), olives, tomato, courgette. Thought we could also top with garlic, herbs, pine nuts, a bit of homemade pesto?

Is this worth trying out? I imagine it is similar to a healthy sandwich, just baked instead of cold. Or is it better to just avoid cheese altogether here?

Just fancy something tasty with a crunch as a bit tired of simple, hot meals at the moment. So, can a homemade pizza be healthy in your opinion? They seem to get a lot of bad press in general, but I am hoping that's due to fast food versions swimming in trans fats.

I make my own pizza bases that are really healthy and don't require yeast or any proving. To make 2 large pizzas I use 300g natural yoghurt, 300g self raising flour and 1 tsp baking powder. Just chuck it all in a bowl and mix. Extra flour for rolling. Super easy, and full of protein.

Of course it can be healthy. Even when you watch your cholesterol you can eat bit of cheese. Use lower fat version and enjoy!

https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/products/317297975/?icid=ghsandapp_ghs_pdp_share
This brand doesn't have any UPF ingredients, you could add extra veg to the top or serve it with a salad.

That's great, thank you!
I did try a similar base last year and it tasted like a sofa cushion I am not the world's greatest pastry chef.

I have heard people suggest pita but it doesn't appeal somehow.

Love C&M!
I also like the look of the M&S base, what do you think?
https://www.ocado.com/products/m-s-collection-woodfired-pizza-base/637488011

I think either of those bases would be fine. Topping with grilled chicken, a range of veggies and a strong cheese used sparingly would be good. The mutti pizza sauce is pretty good. Serve it with a really decent salad or a couple of salads so that the pizza is a part of the meal and not the whole meal?

Not sure specifically about pizza but if you sign up to the British Heart Foundation magazine they send you a magazine every month that has 'heart healthy' recipes in it, as well as different articles etc. Their website may have recipes as well tbf. Some are really good and give ideas of what to substitute to make things healthier without losing flavour.

I’d use full fat cheese and less of it. As a treat. Low fat cheese doesn’t melt well and can be disappointing.

to prevent you using all of it, freeze the spare.

I make homemade pizza and for the base I make my own base using the bread mix powder (ciabatta or white bread mix) that you can get from the home baking section of the supermarket.
It works well as long as you roll it until thin (otherwise the middle of the base doesn't cook enough before the toppings overcook) and leave it for a hour to rise before adding the toppings and baking

You can make tasty pizzas without cheese : ) Pesto adds a good flavour, as do olives, caramelised onions, charred red peppers, etc etc.

There are lots of heart healthy plant-based pizza recipes (there’s nothing to stop you adding low fat meat if you wish), eg:

https://www.forksoverknives.com/recipes/vegan-baked-stuffed/individual-grilled-pesto-pizzas/

Google Forks Over Knives, Plantstrong, The Engine House Diet, Rip Esselstyn, etc, and you’ll find lots of ideas to add flavour while keeping fat very low.