Grabbing that cold, leftover slice of pizza in the morning might not be such a bad decision after all. It turns out, there are tons of pizzas out there that could be better for you than your favorite breakfast cereal.
Registered dietician Chelsey Amer told The Daily Meal, “You may be surprised to find out that an average slice of pizza and a bowl of cereal with whole milk contain nearly the same amount of calories. However, pizza packs a much larger protein punch, which will keep you full and boost satiety throughout the morning.”
Sure, pizza isn’t exactly a health food. But when you compare it to the nutritional profiles of most common store-bought cereals, it is a more balanced way to start a day. Amer said, “A slice of pizza contains more fat and much less sugar than most cold cereals, so you will not experience a quick sugar crash.”
For comparison, look at nearly any one of America’s cereal options. Most are nutritionally bleak. Where’s the protein, healthy fats, or anything other than sugar? At least pizza has carbs, protein, and maybe even some veggies in its corner. The popular cereal option Frost Flakes contain 110 calories per serving, less than 1 gram of fiber, only 1 gram of protein, but 10 grams of sugar. Raisin Bran has 190 calories, 4 grams of fiber, 4 grams of protein, but 19 grams of sugar. The American Heart Association recommends no more than 25 grams per day for women and 36 grams per day for men.
Keep in mind that while pizza may keep you fuller, save you some sugar, and even add a little protein to you morning, it’s also typically high in fat and salt. And under no circumstances is eating pepperoni and sausage good for you. But don’t sweat it if you start a rushed day with leftover pizza once in a while. Just try to opt for healthy breakfasts whenever possible.
(h/t The Daily Meal)
Also see, 7 great alternatives to milk for dairy-free diets.
