Healthy Tortilla Pizza (gluten-free, dairy-free)

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THE TORTILLA PIZZA THAT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE

An easy healthy pizza made with a simple tortilla

When you’re feeling tired and hungry after a long work day, and you need a slice of life for that much needed pick-me-up, what better than a quick, healthy pizza?

I know what it’s like to come home after a long day at work completely exhausted and not have enough energy to cook a healthy meal. I get it. It’s easy and oh-so-tempting to throw all of your hard work and health goals out the window and reach for the take-out menu. I’ve been there.

This is my favorite kind of pizza – a healthier alternative to pizza (and take-out) that’s both gluten-free and dairy-free, as well as low in calories (it’s cheese-free but still delicious). It doesn’t leave me feeling gross the next day and doesn’t destroy my energy or give me bloat. It’s also the perfect quick and easy lunch or dinner!

This tortilla pizza is also ideal as a weight-loss meal, or as part of a weight-loss meal – as it only contains about 360 calories (for the entire pizza), or even less without the chicken (the chicken-less version will be roughly 280 calories).

LIVING THE HEALTHY PIZZA DREAM

I just love pizza, but I’ve always hated how I feel after eating pizza because of the oil, dairy, gluten and excessive calories. I wanted to create something quick and easy, but also low in calories, dairy-free and gluten-free.

So I decided to use a brown rice tortilla wrap (you can also use other gluten-free tortillas) with tomato paste to give the taste and look of a pizza without the extravagant amount of calories. Brown rice tortillas offer a much lower calorie count to regular pizza bases, and more fibre – making it better for digestion.

The nutritional yeast, dried basil or oregano, olives, onion salt and black pepper also add to the distinct ‘pizza flavor’ that we all know and love. Nutritional yeast is often used as a parmesan cheese substitute because it has a distinct cheesy taste – perfect as a vegan alternative to cheese (don’t expect it to be melty like cheese, it’s not magic – but it does taste really good). It’s also a highly nutritious food and may help protect against oxidative damage, lower cholesterol and boost immunity. Like cheese, it can be used to add extra protein, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants to meals. Personally, I like to throw on a bit of cooked chicken for some protein. As a vegan option, you can leave out the chicken as it will taste just as good without!

For the finishing touches, I top it off with some fresh spinach, arugula or fresh basil. These fresh leaves add so many amazing vitamins and minerals, and add a gourmet touch to a quick meal. Spinach is high in iron and contains vitamin K, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B2, folate, manganese and magnesium. Arugula also contains many vitamins, but is especially high in calcium which may help the blood to clot normally, while basil contains powerful antioxidants, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.

This tortilla pizza is so quick and easy to make, and tastes delicious! It’s the perfect end to a long day, or an easy meal to make during your lunch break. It genuinely tastes like pizza but without the guilt (and without all the calories).

HEALTHY TORTILLA PIZZA

Ingredients:

-1  brown  rice  tortilla  wrap  (or  gluten-free  tortilla)

-1  Tablespoon  pure  tomato  paste

-50g  grilled  chicken  breast  meat

-2  Tablespoons  nutritional  yeast

-1/3  cup  cherry  tomatoes  (halved)

-1/2  small  red  bell  pepper

-5  kalamata  olives  (pitted  and  halved)

-onion  salt

-black  pepper

-dried  basil  (or  oregano)

-(optional  as  topping)  fresh  baby  spinach,  arugula or fresh  basil

Method:

-Preheat  oven  to  400  degrees  Fahrenheit  /  200  degrees  Celsius 

-Line  a  baking  tray  with  baking  paper

-Place  tortilla  wrap  on  baking  paper  and  spread  tomato  paste  on  top

-Top  tortilla  with  thinly  sliced  bell  pepper,  halved  cherry  tomatoes  and  halved  olives

-Then  add  the  nutritional  yeast,  onion  salt,  black  pepper  and  dried  basil

-Bake  for  15  minutes

-Serve  hot  and  top  with  fresh  baby  spinach,  arugula  or  fresh  basil  (optional)

Calories:

-Roughly 360 calories (including all toppings, roughly 280 cal without chicken)

MADE WITH LOVE BY LIEZL JAYNE XO

FREE 3 DAY EATING PLAN

To give you an example of what a balanced weight-loss diet can look like, I’m currently giving my 3 day eating plan away for FREE – But won’t always be. Make sure you grab a copy!

Photos and recipe by Liezl Jayne Strydom – for liezljayne.com