How indulging in pizza could help dieters to lose weight (2024)

An occasional pizza can help dieters lose weight a study has suggested.

A deep dish pizza crammed with cheese and pepperoni could be the key to losing weight, according to research from Portugal – but there is a catch.

The pizza can only be enjoyed once a week as a “treat”, and dieters must watch the calories strictly for the remaining six days.

The study was carried out by Rita Coelho do Vale a professor at Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Men’s Health reported.

Dieters were limited to 10,500 calories a week. But one group were allowed a day off and allowed a small indulgence, such as a pizza as long as they did not break the overall limit.

Binge eating is still discouraged on the day off.

It was found that there was no significant difference in the amount of weight lost by the two groups.

However, the group who were allowed to strayfor one daywere found to be more motivated to continue with the diet than their counterparts who were allowed no leeway whatsoever.

This was because those who were not allowed to stray became grumpier and more likely to abandon the diet.

The principle of cheat days has been recognised before, buta 2013 study in Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care said even then dieters should abstain from sugary food.

What kind of fat are you?

Skinny Fat

Characterised by:

  • Poor diet and exercise regime
  • Healthy or low BMI
  • Lack of muscle tone
  • Poor metabolic health(high-blood lipids, high blood glucose, visceral fat). Visceral fat is normally present when there is a large build-up of fat around the abdominal area.
  • In more extreme cases, visceral fat can coat the internal organs, leading to serious cardiovascular health problems and diabetes.

How to tackle it:

  • Identify problem areas by measuring body fat using callipers; a DEXA scan can reveal the presence of visceral fat.
  • Building muscle is key: an exercise programme should stress cardiovascular and muscle resistance.
  • Diet should then support the exercise demands: make sure you are fuelled properly if you’re exercising (carb intake should match exercise demands).

Burnt-out fat

Characterised by:

  • Constant tiredness
  • Interrupted sleep patterns or difficulty dropping off
  • Increased appetite and carbohydrate and sugar cravings
  • Tiredness can negatively affect metabolism by causing shifts in “hunger hormones”.

How to tackle it:

  • Cutting down on alcohol will help to regulate your sleep patterns.
  • Add protein to every meal – this will help to control your body’s insulin levels by slowing down your rate of digestion.
  • Introduce a sleep-inducing wind-down time to the end of the day: banish distractions, sip a caffeine-free herbal tea. Have a relaxing bath, read a book in bed.
  • Supplements that can help with sleep include magnesium, Lactium, taurine and vitamin B.
  • Introducing regular cardio and weight-bearing exercises will promote a healthier sleep pattern, as well as help you build muscle.

Stressed fat

Characterised by:

  • Inability to lose weight, even when dieting; weight accumulation around the tummy.
  • Stress fat is normally related to burnt-out fat, as they have a knock-on effect to one another – all hormones in the body work together as part of the endocrine system.

How to tackle it:

  • Stop dieting: if you deprive yourself, your body will think it’s being starved, which raises stress levels, contributing to fat storage
  • Eat little and often to control blood sugar fluctuations and eliminate refined carbohydrates, sugar and alcohol.
  • Sip herbal tea instead of caffeine (a stimulant makes you more stressed, causing more release of cortisol, thus more fat around the middle).
  • Food also plays an important role in stress relief. Making healthy food choices – balanced protein, fresh fruit such as raspberries, blueberries and cherries, and vegetables – will aid a sense of wellbeing. Avocado, asparagus and nuts are good healthy, stress-relieving foods to include.

© David Millward / Telegraph Media Group Limited 2016

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How indulging in pizza could help dieters to lose weight (2024)

FAQs

How indulging in pizza could help dieters to lose weight? ›

A deep dish pizza crammed with cheese and pepperoni could be the key to losing weight

weight
Average adult human weight varies by continent, from about 60 kg (130 lb) in Asia and Africa to about 80 kg (180 lb) in North America, with men on average weighing more than women.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Human_body_weight
, according to research from Portugal – but there is a catch. The pizza can only be enjoyed once a week as a “treat”, and dieters must watch the calories strictly for the remaining six days.

Can pizza help you lose weight? ›

This may not seem very easy at first, but a lot of people have proven that eating pizza can let you lose weight. You should only choose pizza toppings, which are good for your diet. Make sure that you do not add too much cheese and bread.

How do you burn fat from pizza? ›

2 Slices of Pizza: 600 Calories
  1. Walking: 189 minutes.
  2. Jogging: 84 minutes.
  3. Running: 54 minutes.

Will one slice of pizza affect my diet? ›

One slice of plain cheese pizza has approximately 400 calories. So eating even two or three slices of pizza will add 800 to 1,200 calories in your diet. This will be higher when you add processed toppings like pepperoni.

What does pizza do for your body? ›

Improved Digestion

Surprisingly, certain types of pizza can actually promote better digestion. When you opt for pizzas with whole-grain crusts, you're incorporating dietary fiber into your meal. Fiber, found in abundance in whole grains and some vegetable toppings, plays a crucial role in maintaining digestive health.

Can you eat pizza on a no sugar diet? ›

Pizza is one of those foods like tomato sauce that should be naturally sugar free, but often isn't, depending on where you're getting it. If you're at the type of restaurant that uses all homemade ingredients you could ask your server if they would mind inquiring about any added sugar in the tomato sauce or crust.

How many calories are in 2 large slices of pizza? ›

The number of calories in two slices of pizza can vary depending on the size, type of crust, toppings, and the specific brand or restaurant. On average, two slices of pizza can contain anywhere from 300 to 600 calories.

How many slices of pizza should I eat to lose weight? ›

If you're really concerned about pizza night messing up your weight loss goals, you should know that if you can stick to just one slice (probably two at the most), you'll likely be able to stay 100% on track.

How to burn 1000 calories a day? ›

Run at a pace of 8 mph for 60 minutes during your cardio workout. Running for a whole hour at a speed of 8 mph burns around 1,000 calories if you weigh 200 pounds (91 kg). If you weigh less but still want to keep your time at the gym around an hour long, you may need to run a bit faster.

Is 4 slices of pizza too much? ›

Four slices equals 1,136 calories. Based on the recommended calorie intake for adults in the United States, it is less than that of daily intake: women 1,600 to 2,400, men 2,000 to 3,000. If four slices of pizza is all you eat on a particular day, the, it's highly unlikely you will get fat.

What is the healthiest pizza? ›

Opt for a thin-crust pizza instead of a deep-dish. Skip the stuffed pizza crusts and dipping sauces. Enjoy your slice of pizza with a side salad or cooked vegetables. Top your pizza with lean protein, like chicken strips, instead of processed meat, like pepperoni.

How long does it take for pizza to leave your body? ›

Due to the amount of starches in traditional pizza, it takes about 6-8 hours to digest. So if you eat pizza for lunch, that heaviness can linger in your stomach for the rest of the day, often leading to gas and pain. Pizza is supposed to be comfort food, but it tends to do the opposite.

What to do after eating pizza at night? ›

What to Do After You Overeat
  1. Relax. 1/12. Don't beat yourself up. ...
  2. Take a Walk. 2/12. An easy stroll will help stimulate your digestion and even out your blood sugar levels. ...
  3. Drink Water. 3/12. ...
  4. Don't Lie Down. 4/12. ...
  5. Skip the Bubbles. 5/12. ...
  6. Give Away Leftovers. 6/12. ...
  7. Work Out. 7/12. ...
  8. Plan Your Next Meal. 8/12.
Feb 21, 2023

What does pizza do to your gut? ›

Saturated fats: Oils used in pizza can contain greasy saturated fats that can affect nerve cells in the colon involved in muscle contractions. Saturated fats can cause these cells to die or not function properly, slowing down muscle movements that push food through your colon.

What does pizza do to the brain? ›

Pizza, in particular, has been found to activate the brain's reward centers, which release feel-good chemicals like dopamine. But that's not all. Pizza also contains certain nutrients that can affect brain function and mood.

What to put on healthy pizza? ›

Instead of gobs of cheese, opt for hearty, healthy pizza toppers like roasted squash and meaty mushrooms. Meat lovers don't have to lose out. Swap out fatty meats like pepperoni and pork sausage for thinly sliced (leaner) cuts of salami, turkey bacon and chicken sausage.

What to do after eating pizza? ›

What can I eat after pizza for digestion?
  1. Drink plenty of water.
  2. Eat ginger.
  3. Eat a light, healthy dessert that's rich in high-fiber fruits and fermented dairy.
  4. Eat citrus or drink lime juice.
  5. Try a hot lemon ginger tea.
Dec 14, 2023

Is cheese good for weight loss? ›

Cheese can be part of a healthy weight-loss diet as long as you consume it in moderation. Feta, ricotta, cottage cheese, reduced-fat swiss, or parmesan cheese are all good options. Cheese can also benefit those on a ketogenic diet, as it is low-carb and high-fat.

What's healthier, a burger or a pizza? ›

A pizza with just two slices contains 18 grams of fat and 8 grams of harmful saturated fat. Then the burger contains 19.8 grams of total fat and 9.2 grams of saturated fat. Despite the lower levels of calories and carbohydrates, burgers contain fat which is not healthy for your body.

Is thin crust pizza good for weight loss? ›

Thin crust pizza is a healthier option than conventional thick crust pizza since it has less fat, carbohydrates, and salt. Thin crust pizza has certain vitamin and mineral advantages, but you should restrict your intake to avoid surpassing the recommended saturated fat and calorie requirements.

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