MACRO-FRIENDLY PIZZA NIGHT
Family pizza night is often a beloved tradition that we look forward to. It’s a time to relax, enjoy each other’s company, and dig into a delicious meal. For many it signifies the end of a structured week and the beginning of a relaxing weekend. And, for many who are tracking macros or working toward various nutrition goals, it becomes a night that becomes “off limits,” as may feel like pizza and goals aren’t able to co-exist.
But what if you could enjoy your favorite pizza, still stay on track with your nutrition goals, and make it a fun, family-friendly experience? Yes, it’s possible to find balance between your goals and family time, and pizza can definitely fit into that equation.
We often think of food as something that either supports our goals or distracts us from them, but the truth is, your goals, favorite foods, and family time can (and more importantly, should) all co-exist. The key to balance is finding ways to make the foods you love work for your body and your health — and pizza night is the perfect opportunity to do just that!
HOW TO MAKE YOUR PIZZA NIGHT MACRO-FRIENDLY
The good news is, you don’t have to give up pizza (or any other favorite foods) to stay on track with your nutrition goals – you might need to think about making some adjustments and look at the experience through a lens of balance. One way to do this is to make pizza at home, which gives you an opportunity to allow more control over the ingredients, portion sizes, and toppings. Plus, cooking together is a great way to involve the whole family in the process!
Here’s a simple and macro-friendly pizza recipe that you can customize based on your family’s preferences. It uses store-bought dough, which makes it quick and easy to throw together, but still delicious and satisfying.
MACRO-FRIENDLY HOMEMADE PIZZA
WHAT YOU NEED:
1 package of store-bought pizza dough (or gluten-free if preferred)
1/2 cup pizza sauce (looking for low-sugar can help if macro-conscious)
1 cup part-skim shredded mozzarella cheese (or a dairy-free option if needed)
1 tbsp olive oil (for brushing)
Topping Ideas (choose 3-4 for a balanced pizza):
Lean protein: Grilled chicken, turkey sausage, or lean ground beef
Veggies: Mushrooms, bell peppers, spinach, onions, zucchini, cherry tomatoes
WHAT TO DO:
Preheat your oven to 475°F. (Here at the Stapleton house, we like to throw our pizza stone in the oven to heat up, too; usually for about 10-15 minutes. We highly recommend this method, but please note if doing so: the pan/stone will be very hot when taking it out of the oven and adding the floured dough onto the surface – please do so with caution!)
Roll out the pizza dough on a floured surface to your desired thickness.
Transfer the dough to a baking sheet or pizza stone. Brush the crust with olive oil.
Spread a thin layer of pizza sauce over the dough. Then sprinkle the mozzarella cheese evenly across the pizza, and then add your toppings.
Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Remove from the oven and garnish with fresh herbs for an extra burst of flavor.
Wait about 5 minutes for the pizza to cool slightly (trust me here!). Slice, serve, and enjoy!
SOME TIPS WITH BALANCE IN MIND
Portion control: It can be easy to feel like you have a little less control when there’s a whole pizza in front of you. If you are making pizza at home, you are in control of how large the slices are. Maybe you want one large slice, cut less total slices (maybe 4 or 6); if you’d like a couple slices, 8-10 pieces might be better.
Load up on veggies: The more veggies you add, the more fiber you’ll get, which will help keep you full and satisfied.
Protein: Including lean protein toppings helps balance the pizza and adds some staying power to your meal. Chicken, turkey sausage, turkey pepperoni, lean ground beef, or even a sprinkle of parmesan can give you that extra protein boost.
These tips above work well for ordering pizza out or for delivery, too! Additionally, ordering a thin crust pizza will typically contain fewer calories, too.
Make it fun: Get the whole family involved in the process! Have a mini pizza-building station where everyone can choose their own toppings. This way, each family member can personalize their pizza to their tastes, and you’ll make pizza night more interactive.
A diet that you can stick to forever can and should include your favorite foods. It’s about balance — allowing yourself to enjoy these types of meals while still making choices that support your overall health goals. When you take control of the ingredients and portion sizes, you get the best of both worlds: a delicious, enjoyable meal with your family, and a meal that aligns with your goals.
By making small adjustments like loading up on veggies, balancing with lean proteins, and being conscious of crust selection, you can create a healthier version of pizza that works for your lifestyle. And the best part? You don’t have to sacrifice family time or fun to make it happen.
So, next time you’re looking for a way to enjoy pizza without guilt, try this macro-friendly homemade version and remember — balance is key. Your goals, your favorite foods, and your family time can absolutely co-exist.
Wondering how to fit your favorite foods into your life while feeling good about it? 1:1 coaching is a personalized to you to do just that – click here to see what support could look like for you!
