On February 10, 2014, The New York Times editors gave us “Facts & Figures: Pizza
Consumption,” and told us:
On any given day, roughly 13 percent of the U.S. population, or more than 1 in 8 Americans, consumes pizza. Working off a U.S.D.A. report on the role of pizza in American diets, the U.S. Food Policy blog reports that within this population:
Pizza accounted for 25% (among kids) and 29% (among adults) of daily food energy intake. More than a quarter of all calorie intake was pizza.
Pizza accounted for 33% (among kids) and 39% (among adults) of daily saturated fat intake. Compared with foods in general, pizza is much heavier in saturated fat.
Pizza accounted for 33% (among kids) and 38% (among adults) of sodium intake. Compared with foods in general, pizza is much heavier in sodium.
Is this really something that we did not know? Do we care? “Foods in general” are harder to get our grandchildren to eat. When we have the grandchildren, pizza is one meal a day and sometimes breakfast! That was one of the first grandma lessons I received: pizza for breakfast.
In this day and age of two working exhausted parents, dinner may mean picking up a pizza
on the way home. Isn’t every food group included?
This Grandma’s concern is the quality, not quantity, of pizza our grandchildren are consuming. Some retailers seem to make very sweet pizza, such that I wonder how much sugar is added to the dough and whether the pizza then moves into dessert category.
Pizza is a great way to introduce vegetables to a reluctant child. Maybe getting a quarter pie with green pepper on it? But that job of introducing vegetables to a reluctant child belongs to parents. This Grandma knows that pizza is a staple in all homes, including Grandma’s home when the grandchildren visit. The problem for Grandma is not eating the crusts or leftover! Dieting comes after they leave.
Joy,
Mema
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