In the current generation, everyone is worried about what's going into their body and how it's affecting them. Pizza being one of the most eaten fast-casual foods globally, is being questioned about its nutritional value. 

Amid so many available pizza options to choose from, Neapolitan pizza stands alone in the crowd. That's because Neapolitan pizza is the healthiest pizza if you want to look at non-veg and veg options. It's made with simple elements that are filling and good for you rather than being filled with unsaturated fat. 

In the world of keto, gluten has become a massive talk of the town. Studies have consistently reported that ingesting gluten may worsen Celiac disease and cause other issues-but not all of them may be true. 

Now, you may wonder how much gluten is in pizza and how it affects you. Hence, in today's article, we will discuss the overview of Neapolitan pizza calories and gluten levels. Without any further ado, keep reading!

What is Neapolitan Pizza

Let's define a Neapolitan pizza before its nutritional composition. Neapolitan pizza comes from Naples. The term "pizza" has been used since the 10th century, with citizens from worldwide devouring the dish. So Neapolitan pizza has a unique place in the hearts of pizza lovers worldwide.

A Neapolitan pizza is made to order in Naples, Italy. On a leavened bread base, it has tomato sauce, mozzarella, and spinach. An authentic Neapolitan, on the other hand, requires just a few specific components.

Traditionally, tomato sauce is made from San Marzano or Pomodorino Vesuviano (Vesuvian tomatoes) grown on Mount Vesuvius' volcanic plains.

No ordinary cheese will do. The only apparent option is mozzarella. The star of the performance is Mozzarella di Bufala Campana. PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) on this cheese (meaning a cheese can only be called this if it comes from this original area). Cheese made from Campanian and Lazio semi-wild water buffalo milk.

Overall, Neapolitan pizza is a protected food under federal law. This specific pizza has a PDO. 

Hand-made Neapolitan pizza is an "intangible cultural heritage," according to UNESCO. This pizza inspired the New York pizza introduced to America by Italian immigrants in the twentieth century.

Nutritional Value in Neapolitan Pizza

Pizza is hardly the first thing that comes to mind when considering a healthy dinner. Pizza is a fast lunch item nowadays. Therefore the ingredients utilized must be cheap and durable. Most fast-food pizzas are prepared with harmful components and cooked in a way that depletes nutrients.

Can you create a healthy pizza? That is accurate. Pizza, before it became a fast-food staple, was a typical Italian dinner. Pizza Napoletana, or genuine Neapolitan pizza, was invented in Naples in the 1800s.

Unlike modern pizzas, every ingredient in authentic Neapolitan pizza is natural and hand-picked. Authentic pizza requires fresh ingredients like non-processed mozzarella and high-quality tomato sauce in the dough.

These variants offer not only a different taste but also a healthy eating experience. Here's all you need to know about Neapolitan pizza nutrition.

Neapolitan Pizza Ingredients and Number of Calories

A classic Neapolitan pizza contains the following ingredients:

• 00 wheat flour
• Yeast
• Water
• Salt
• Classic pizza tomato sauce
• Mozzarella De Buffala 
• Basil/Spinach 

Overview of Neapolitan Pizza Calories:

On average, when made with the right products that are entirely fresh, an average Neapolitan pizza average should be around 140-150 calories. It contains about 12g of fat and 160g of carbohydrates. The calorie count will undoubtedly decrease if you customize the pizza to have more green and less fat. 

An entire Neapolitan pizza, on average, has about 700-1000 calories which isn't much at all, considering the calorie intake of other pizzas. It will depend on the amount of cheese and the size of the pizza to determine the exact calorie level.

Pizza is comparatively a healthy food. It's not categorized as junk food, and everyone can have it every once in a while. Ordering your pizza from fresh and authentic pizzerias like Pizza Bien can be healthy for you. They use the original Neapolitan pizza recipe, and you can even get a free hazelnut spread calzone with your first order! After all, who doesn't want to enjoy a little sweet treat with their healthy pizza dinner?

Is Pizza Bad For You?

In modern times, people dread carbohydrates more than they dread skipping a meal. They have been the villain of every dish ever, but is it vital to hate on carbs and make pizza one of the worst things you can eat?

In reality, carbohydrate intake is essential for your body. In moderation, carbs are good for providing energy, fueling your brain and muscles, aiding in digestion, and keeping your cholesterol levels in check. Hence, they're not all that bad. 

Neapolitan pizza is a food protected by international clauses to help maintain the recipe for years. Hence, if you make any changes to the recipe - it's not really Neapolitan pizza. Having a Neapolitan pizza slice in moderation isn't bad for your health, and we'll shortly be describing why. 

The Crust

Before the crust is baked, the dough is intricately produced from 00 flour. If you're wondering how much gluten is in pizza, the Caputo 00 flour has a 12% gluten factor and is made from the freshest wheat. It provides a healthy number of carbs without making you bloated. 

There are no extra preservatives added to the dough of a Neapolitan pizza. There's no involvement of excess oil, either. Hence, the crust is overall very healthy, nutritious, and delicious.

The Cheese

Neapolitan pizza has its unique requirements. When we talk about the cheese, we're talking about using a special kind: Mozzarella di Bufala Campana. 

The cheese is made from fresh buffalo milk, and you can't store it for too long. This factor ensures fresh cheese to be used on pizza. It eliminates the risk of cancer and other health issues. It's also an excellent source for having your daily calcium requirement met. No additional preservatives are added, which makes this pizza so great. 

The Toppings

Neapolitan pizza is widely famous for its simplicity. There is sausage, meats, pepperoni, olive oil, mushroom, or any other fancy topping. The pizza dough simply includes marinara pizza sauce and fresh cheese. Hence, there's no way saturated fats can ruin your diet when you eat a Neapolitan slice. 

Gluten-Free and Vegan Pizza: Final Thoughts 

Gluten-free food is an excellent choice for those who have Celiac disease or even gluten intolerance. However, if you have no issues digesting gluten, avoiding it won't help your nutrition. Research suggests that gluten avoidance doesn't boost the metabolism or have any other health benefits. 

In terms of taste, if you're wondering does gluten-free pizza tastes different, it does not! Gluten pizza and vegan pizza have their distinctive flavors, which are also excellent in their ways. 

However, those who want to adapt to a healthier lifestyle can always choose to have vegan pizza. Vegan pizza is much lesser in calories, and they're made from fresh, green, and healthy ingredients. 

It's important to remember that even a vegan pizza can have the same calories as a regular pizza. It's all about how you choose to top it, bake it, and eat it. Reducing your dairy and fat intake is excellent for the environment and your health. Hence, vegan pizzas and low-gluten pizzas can always be beneficial for you. 

If you want to start experiencing an authentic Neapolitan taste with a much healthier alternative to the native non-veg pizza, try Pizza Bien's pizza. You'll realize healthy pizza has never tasted this better before, and your tastebuds will be longing for more. 

Conclusion

If you're looking for the answer to the question "Is Neapolitan pizza healthy?" The answer - when you eat it in moderation, it can be healthy for you. 

However, if you've already had pizza quite a few times in the same week, it may not be healthy for you. The amount of gluten in your pizza may not affect you when you can digest it, however avoiding highly fatty pizza is an excellent option for your overall health. 

Ensure to count your macros and micros before you eat the pizza of your dreams. Now that you're all hungry reading about authentic Neapolitan pizzas, it's time to grab a bite! Therefore, till the next time, happy feasting!

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