Can Pizza Be a Healthier Breakfast Option Than Cereal?
A few years back, one nutritionist was quoted as saying that eating a slice of pizza would make for a healthier breakfast than cereal — and the Internet world took that sound bite and ran with it. But is there any merit to what that nutritionist said? Can pizza really be healthier than cereal? Let’s find out.
Cereal Can Be High in Sugar
Although cereal has often been touted as a low-fat and healthy breakfast option, many kinds of cereal are actually loaded with sugar and refined carbohydrates. In fact, some cereals (typically any that contain marshmallows, mini-cookies, or dozens of artificial colors) can be up to 50% sugar! However, not all cereals are high in sugar — look for less than 5-7 grams of added sugar per serving.
Pizza May Have More Protein
The cheese on pizza will pack in a protein and calcium punch in the morning — but so would the milk doused atop your bowl of cereal. However, pizza will win in the protein department if it has any type of meat on it.
Pizza Might Have Vegetables
You definitely won’t be finding vegetables in a bowl of cereal anytime soon, but it’s possible that a slice of pizza could have some veggies on there, which would up the nutritional value and add in some fiber.
Cereal Vs. Pizza: Who Wins?
It’s hard to thoroughly compare cereal to pizza, as there are hundreds of different cereal brands and probably as many ways to top a pizza. However, when it comes down to it, there’s nothing wrong with sometimes having sugary cereal for breakfast or, other times, grabbing a slice of cold pizza from the fridge. But, if you’re looking toward pizza for a savory breakfast, eggs and lean protein (try turkey bacon) can be a healthier option.
Cereal Can Be High in Sugar
Although cereal has often been touted as a low-fat and healthy breakfast option, many kinds of cereal are actually loaded with sugar and refined carbohydrates. In fact, some cereals (typically any that contain marshmallows, mini-cookies, or dozens of artificial colors) can be up to 50% sugar! However, not all cereals are high in sugar — look for less than 5-7 grams of added sugar per serving.
Pizza May Have More Protein
The cheese on pizza will pack in a protein and calcium punch in the morning — but so would the milk doused atop your bowl of cereal. However, pizza will win in the protein department if it has any type of meat on it.
Pizza Might Have Vegetables
You definitely won’t be finding vegetables in a bowl of cereal anytime soon, but it’s possible that a slice of pizza could have some veggies on there, which would up the nutritional value and add in some fiber.
Cereal Vs. Pizza: Who Wins?
It’s hard to thoroughly compare cereal to pizza, as there are hundreds of different cereal brands and probably as many ways to top a pizza. However, when it comes down to it, there’s nothing wrong with sometimes having sugary cereal for breakfast or, other times, grabbing a slice of cold pizza from the fridge. But, if you’re looking toward pizza for a savory breakfast, eggs and lean protein (try turkey bacon) can be a healthier option.
