When you’re trying to live a healthier lifestyle, it often seems that television commercials for fast food and family requests for Chinese take-out multiply like mice. That Whopper looks delicious, even though you know you’ll regret it soon after it takes the trip down your esophagus, and that new pizza at Dominos is calling your name. Thankfully, there are plenty of healthy substitutes for your favorite carry-out splurges.

For those powerful pizza cravings, give the following variations on the family favorite a try. Light on fat and calories, but full of flavor, you’re sure to be a hit on Friday nights when you pull any of these pizzas out of the oven.

Perfect Pita Pizzas

Serves 4

For all pizza variations, start with 4 whole-wheat pitas. Then layer on the toppings for whichever version you choose in the order listed, dividing the ingredients evenly among the four crusts. Bake at 375 degrees for about 10-12 minutes, until cheese is melted and pita is crisp.

Hawaiian BBQ

8 Tbsp BBQ sauce
4 oz Canadian bacon, torn into bite-sized pieces
1 cup canned pineapple, crushed or chunks, drained
1 cup reduced-fat Mexican blend shredded cheese

Spinach & Feta

8 Tbsp tomato paste or sauce
4 Tbsp Italian seasoning
1 package frozen chopped spinach (10 oz), thawed, drained and squeezed as dry as possible
2 cups crumbled, reduced-fat feta cheese
Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

Veggie Pile

8 Tbsp tomato paste or sauce
4 Tbsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp garlic powder
2 medium tomatoes, thinly sliced
1 medium red pepper, thinly sliced crosswise (in rounds)
¼ medium red onion, thinly sliced
4 Tbsp sliced black olives
1 cup part-skim shredded mozzarella cheese

Light White

8 tsp olive oil (brush 2 tsp on each pita to lightly cover)
8 Tbsp Italian seasoning
2 tsp garlic powder
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 ½ cups part-skim shredded mozzarella cheese
4 Tbsp reduced-fat grated parmesan

(Perfect Pita Pizza recipes from the kitchen of Ami Spencer. Copyright 2006)

"Eat well. Live well. Be well."