After a strenuous workout, it’s always helpful to have a nutritious meal in mind that does not take long to make. Risotto’s made with Chicken and Turkey are useful to eat after a workout, but they take time to prepare. An even quicker way to fuel those muscles is to make use of whole meal pitta breads. They are so versatile. They are an alternative to bread and can be stuffed with ham and cheese as a lunchtime snack, or perhaps to dip into soup. Each whole meal pitta bread is around 160 calories. The white pitta bread variety is less nutritious.
These healthy pitta bread pizzas are quick to make, healthy, low fat and are a tasty, highly nutritious meal after an intensive workout. If you love pizza, they are a healthier alternative, but taste just as good. Rather than use a whole pitta bread, cut them in half, which halves the calories instantly, and have four pitta pizzas instead from two pitta breads. Try to have whole meal pitta breads, which contain more fiber and help to keep the body fuller for longer.
The more vegetables added to the pitta bread pizzas, the better. You do not have to use peppers and mushrooms either, you could add sweet corn, carrots, and cherry tomatoes or all five.
Ingredients:
- 2 wholemeal pitta breads
- 1 red pepper
- 5-6 mushrooms
- 2 tbsp tomato puree
- 50 g cheese
- Chili flakes (optional but adds a kick)
- 2 slices of ham
- black pepper (optional)
Method:
- Pre-heat the grill.
- You can either make two thick pitta pizzas or cut them into half and make four healthy pitta pizzas. This way, if you get full off two or three, you can always heat up the last one for the next day.
- Place the pitta breads in a toaster and gently brown.
- Slice the pitta breads open (your choice).
- Add the tomato puree and spread evenly.
- Slice your mushrooms, red pepper, and ham and place generously over each pitta bread.
- Add a sprinkling of cheese over each.
- Sprinkle the chilli flakes and black pepper, if you wish.
- Toast under the grill until the cheese starts to gently bubble.
Voila! A healthy meal that contains protein, carbohydrates, and three of your portions of fruit and vegetables per day. The more vegetables added, the fuller you will feel and the more vitamins and minerals are absorbed by the body.
Mushrooms contain B vitamins which are great for the nerves, health of the skin, and mental health of the brain.
Red peppers contain the antioxident, vitamin C which helps to boost the immune system and heal the skin.
Cheese contains calcium, which helps to prevent age related degenerative diseases, such as osteoporosis. Cheese is a dairy product, which also contains a good amount of protein. Although high in fat, there are lower fat varieties, such as Edam. Cheese in moderation is fine and a great source of protein to fuel those muscles.
Pitta bread, especially the wholemeal variety contains fiber, which keeps you fuller for longer. They are also crunchy, tasty, and versatile with meals. Pizza dough can get soggy when ingredients are added. Pitta breads, especially when halved, keep their crunch consistency.
Tomato puree contains the antioxidant lycopene, rich in any tomato based product. Tomatoes are also a great source of vitamin C and lycopene helps to prevent prostate cancer.
Ham is low in fat, tasty, and a great source of protein, which helps to fuel the muscles after a workout and help them build back stronger. I always find that chillis add flavour to meals, same with black pepper. They are great alternatives to salt, which are added pretty much to all convenience foods.
This meal is low fat, tasty and most of all, quick to make.