Pizza… is there anything bad that one could say about it? Unfortunately, our much-loved pizza treat isn’t always good for us. In fact, there are people out there who make it their business to share the possible disadvantages and drawbacks of eating pizza. While I am a lover of all things pizza, I must admit that it’s a good idea to be fully informed about the food that we eat.
Today, I thought I would share a few of the possible downsides of overeating pizza, that I think you should know about. Whether you continue to eat your pizza treats thereafter is really up to you.
I must say that while I am a huge fan of pizza, I do try to eat it responsibly. This means that I only order it as a treat and make sure that I don’t order it more than a couple of times a month. If I go overboard on the pizza and start to experience the below-mention disadvantages…I will only be cheating and disrespecting myself. Therefore, I truly believe pizza is something that we should do in moderation. If you don’t, you could start to experiences some of the following drawbacks. Learn about them below.
17 disadvantages and drawbacks of eating pizza too often:
1. Over-eating pizza leads to high cholesterol and heart disease.
Pizza is jam-packed with fat and sugar, and we know what that does to the heart… it leads to a higher cholesterol level, which puts the heart under strain and puts you at risk of heart disease.
2. Some pizzas contain more than double the RDA of salt.
According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, It’s recommended for the average person healthy an RDA of 2,300mg of salt (sodium). In cases where there is a pre-existing condition of high blood pressure, diabetes, or kidney disease, it is recommended to reduce the RDA to 1,500mg. Unfortunately, most average fast-food pizza places overload their pizzas with sodium. In fact, one slice of pizza usually has between 600 to 1,500 mg.
3. Eating pizza as a staple food source can lead to skin problems.
Here’s one for the teens (and adults) with greasy or spotty skin. Unfortunately, pizza contains a lot of fat, sugar, and carbs. All that cheese spells trouble for you. Unfortunately, these ingredients can aggravate hormones in the body, leading to overactive sebum production and even sebaceous pore inflammation. If you are eating a lot of pizza and your skin is oily/greasy and spotty…it’s time to cut back on the pizza.
4. Poor quality ingredients can result in poor nutrition or empty calories.
The quality of the ingredients in a pizza can lead to misconceptions. Just because your pizza mentions the inclusion of a vegetable or healthy-sounding food, it doesn’t mean that it is healthy. For instance, “tomato” could refer to fresh nutritional tomato, or it could be referring to a high-preservative sauce that is tomato flavored.
5. High carb content leads to a high glycemic index, increasing blood sugar levels.
The more carbs you consume, the harder your body will be working on converting those carbs to energy. The body converts carbs to glucose, which increases the body’s sugar levels. This can lead to diabetes and other health conditions.
6. Regular pizza-eating can lead to laziness.
The more you eat quick and easy convenience food, the lazier you will get when it comes to your meal and nutrition. Why spend time cooking a nutritious meal when you can eat something that tastes great and takes just a minute to heat up, right? Avoid becoming lazy in the food and nutrition department by eating less pizza.
7. Eating pizza too regularly can become expensive.
Most people in America don’t spend time making their own home-made pizzas. Instead, a pizza is a mere phone call away. When considering delivery fees, tips, and appetizers you might order, this type of convenience can end up costing you in the long run.
8. Saturated fats in the crust can lead to blockages in the arteries.
Let’s talk about saturated fats and what that means for the average person’s “ticker”. The pizza crust is oily – we all know that –, and oily is a tell-tale sign of the presence of saturated fats. That oil has to go somewhere when you consume it. It goes to your arteries, where it solidifies and thickens. This leads to blocked arteries and serious heart problems.
9. Pizza can be addictive.
The carbohydrates and certain elements in the cheese on a pizza can lead to addiction. Cheese especially, followed closely by carbs, signal the release of a feel-good hormone in the brain…and it is that feeling that can leave someone addicted to pizza.
10. High-calorie content leads to weight gain.
The average pizza is nowhere near low calories. If you don’t want to gain weight or become obese, avoiding eating too much pizza is a good step. Pizza eaten on a daily basis will wreak havoc on your waistline.
11. Ingredients can lead to gastrointestinal disorders.
Pizza is made using refined flour, sugars, dairy, among others. Believe it or not, these ingredients are hard for the stomach to digest. This can lead to constipation or obstructions in the long term.
12. Eating pizza can trigger lactose intolerance issues.
Most pizza is smothered in cheese, which isn’t great for people who are lactose intolerant. This means that some people are simply unable to break down and digest cheese or milk. When this happens, it can lead to uncomfortable symptoms such as gas, bloating, and diarrhea.
13. If you eat pizza often, you could experience acid reflux.
Pizza increases the acidity levels in the stomach. If you have a stomach that is sensitive to acidity, this could result in indigestion and acid reflux.
14. Typically, pizza ingredients are highly processed and not fresh.
Some people mistakenly think that they can get their veggie intake by ordering pizzas with vegetables on it. Unfortunately, fast food pizzas very rarely include fresh produce. Instead, a pizza will contain highly processed foods, which really does compromise the nutrient content of the pizza overall.
15. Snacking on pizza regularly can lead to bad breath situations.
Pizzas are notorious for being loaded with garlic and other smelly food types, such as asparagus, onions, and pepperoni. If you have an important work meeting or a date immediately after your lunch break, rather skip on the pizza and have a regular sandwich.
16. The method of eating pizza robs families of quality time.
The entire culture surrounding pizza in the U.S is that of a quick and easy meal. Kids grab a slice and head off to their rooms, leaving moms and dads with half-empty boxes and silence. If you want to enjoy a family meal where quality time and conversation are made paramount, cook a home-cooked meal, and sit down at the dinner table to enjoy it.
17. Eating pizza can lead to sluggishness and sleep problems.
There’s no such thing as eating just one or 2 slices of pizza, is there? Definitely not! (at least for me) Pizza is something that is overeaten nearly every single time. It’s not your fault per se; it’s actually designed to be irresistibly delicious. Unfortunately, eating that extra slice can lead to feeling overfull, which undoubtedly results in sluggishness. Believe it or not, sluggishness actually leads to disturbed sleep. Eating a nutritious, healthy, and light meal before bed is better for your sleep patterns.
Eating pizza is delicious, fun, and convenient – there’s no denying that. While there’s never a reason to quit eating it altogether, you should make sure that you are being responsible and making healthy decisions for your overall wellbeing.
This article was co-authored by our team of writers and editors who share one thing in common: their passion for food and drinks!
JC Franco
JC Franco works as a New York-based editor at Foodrinke, driven by his lifelong love for food. His culinary journey began in childhood, as he eagerly assisted his mother with her local sandwich and bakery business, relishing every opportunity to sample her creations. Known among family and friends as an easy eater, JC has a particular affinity for Chinese, Italian, Mexican, and Peruvian cuisine. At Foodrinke, he channels his passion for food into his work, sharing his enthusiasm and knowledge with readers.