The Salty Truth Behind Pizzas

We all try to make sure our kids eat healthily but it’s not always easy and we resort to something quick and easy.

However, a recent study reveals a concerning fact about pizzas:

Half of the pizzas consumed in the UK contain the entire recommended daily intake of salt.

In this article, read the findings of the study, understand the impact of excessive salt consumption on your family, and get Jamie Oliver’s recipe for a delicious and healthier pizza.

The Study’s Findings 

A study examining 1,387 pizzas identified takeaway pizzas as the main culprits, containing over double the amount of salt compared to their supermarket counterparts. 

The Saltiest Offender

The saltiest pizza in the UK is the Domino’s Sizzler Stuffed Crust medium pizza which contains 21.4 grams of salt, which makes it saltier than seawater. The saltiest supermarket pizza, The Pizza Company’s The Pepperoni Party, contains 9.2 grams of salt – the same as 27 bags of ready salted crisps.

Health Implications and the Need for Action

Action on Salt, the organization behind the study, says that even though the Government has a plan to reduce salt consumption, many pizzas now contain more salt than they did in 2014. The group says this is putting people’s health at risk because too much salt raises our blood pressure – a leading cause of strokes and heart disease.

Taking Control of Our Health

The advice is that people over the age of 11 should eat no more than 6g of salt a day – that’s about a teaspoon. Younger children should eat even less. Surprisingly, only 10% of the salt we eat comes from the salt we add ourselves while cooking or at the table. A staggering 75% of our salt intake is already present in the processed foods we purchase, with the remaining 15% occurring naturally in food.

A Healthier Alternative: Jamie Oliver’s Nutritious Pizza Recipe

When we told TV chef Jamie Oliver about our front-page story, he gave us this healthy mini-pizza recipe that his son, Buddy, makes. It contains just 1g of salt! With half-term around the corner, why not try this recipe at home with the family?

Quick Pizzetta Recipe – Makes 8 mini-pizzas

Ingredients:

Dough:

• 350g self-raising flour, plus extra for dusting
• Olive oil
• 250g natural yogurt
• A pinch of salt

Simple Tomato Base (Margherita):

• 2 cloves of garlic
• 1 x 400g tin of quality plum tomatoes
• ½ a bunch of fresh basil (15g)

Three-Cheese Topping:

• 1 fresh red chili
• 50g Cheddar cheese
• 30g Parmesan cheese
• 150g mozzarella cheese

Ham & Mushroom Topping:

• 4 chestnut mushrooms
• 2 slices of higher-welfare cooked ham

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 240°C/475°F/Gas 9 or as hot as it will go. Place two large baking trays in the oven to heat up.
2. In a large bowl, combine the self-raising flour, a small pinch of salt, a tablespoon of olive oil, and the natural yogurt. Mix well with a spatula until you can’t move it any further, then use your clean hands to form it into a dough.
3. Transfer the dough onto a board and knead it for a few minutes until smooth.
4. Place the dough back into the bowl, cover it with a cloth, and set it aside while you prepare the sauce.
5. Peel and finely slice the garlic. In a medium pan over medium heat, add a tablespoon of olive oil and the sliced garlic. Cook for one minute, then pour in the plum tomatoes.
6. Use a potato masher to squash the tomatoes, creating a smooth sauce. Cook for ten minutes or until thickened. Tear up most of the basil, add it to the sauce, season to perfection, and set it aside.
7. Now, let’s have some fun! Place the dough on a flour-dusted surface and divide it into eight pieces.
8. Prepare your toppings: finely chop the red chili, grate the Cheddar and Parmesan cheeses, pick the remaining basil leaves, thinly slice the mushrooms, and tear the ham into small pieces.
9. Roll each piece of dough into thin rounds and stack them between sheets of greaseproof paper to prevent sticking.
10. Carefully remove the hot baking trays from the oven (ask an adult for assistance). Transfer the pizza bases to the trays and, working quickly, spoon the tomato sauce onto each base, spreading it out with a spoon. Tear the mozzarella cheese and sprinkle it over the sauce. Add your favourite toppings.
11. Place the trays back in the oven and cook for ten minutes or until the bases are crispy, and the cheese is bubbling. Slice the pizzas into triangles and serve them with a delicious side salad, including a green salad.

Had fun making this pizza? Don’t forget to tag us on either Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn in your social posts! We would love to see your yummy, healthy creations!

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