Dining at a classic Italian restaurant or pizzeria makes for a memorable night out, full of satisfying pizza and quality time with people you love. With all the bread, cheese, and meat, though, it’s difficult to choose a pie that will fulfill your craving without making you feel like you have to compensate on your next workout. Below are four easy ways to order a pizza that’s both healthy and delicious.

How To Choose a Pizza That Tastes Better & Is Better for You

1. Go Lean

Red meats like beef and pork can provide necessary nutrients, but eat them in moderation because of their fat content. Instead of loading up on pepperoni, sausage, beef, and bacon, choose lean meat for your pizzas. Chicken is one of the most popular lean meats, and it pairs well with virtually any sauce, cheese, or topping.

2. Embrace Veggies

If you can, always add at least one vegetable to your pizza — the more, the merrier. Green veggies like artichoke hearts, green peppers, and spinach are packed with dietary fiber and essential nutrients. Other options, such as mushrooms and olives, have benefits like vitamins and antioxidants. Vegetables make your pizza more filling without adding unwanted calories or fats, so you’ll eat a little less and feel better for it.

3. Change the Crust

Hand-tossed, cheese-stuffed crusts may be mouthwatering, but they’re full of starches, fats, and carbohydrates that turn to sugars in your body. Avoid options that pile toppings on your crust — instead, get a thin crust. It uses less dough and provides a nice crunch, too. A quality pizzeria will also have gluten-free options for those with dietary sensitivities.

4. Indulge a Little

To change things up and add more flavor, order a specialty sauce on your pizza. Unique options like mustard, white Alfredo, cheddar, or Buffalo will add zest to each slice. Since they’re more flavorful than traditional tomato sauces, you can request a smaller helping of sauce without sacrificing flavor. This lets you live it up while still cutting calories on specialty pizzas.

For unforgettable pizzas made with in-house dough, visit Ozark Mountain Pizza in Branson, MO. An authentic, one-of-a-kind Italian restaurant, they serve high-quality pizza, pasta, calzones, wings, salads, sandwiches, and more. Their extensive menu includes everything from bacon-cheeseburger toppings to specialty Bavarian dessert pizza, plus gluten-free and health-conscious options. With delivery available and online ordering coming soon, you can enjoy a delicious mom and pop meal right in your home. Check out their online menu and call (417) 386-4210 to place your order.