Make pizza night a little more healthful

Pizza is a favorite on many Friday dinner menus. Here are ways to make this old favorite healthier:

GO FOR THIN CRUST. It has fewer calories and carbohydrates than hand-tossed and deep dish crusts; stuffed crusts are the worst offenders. Some businesses and frozen brands offer whole wheat crusts.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT MEAT. Pepperoni, sausage and bacon are three of the fattiest foods around. Try grilled chicken, shrimp, turkey, Canadian bacon or ham.

LOAD UP ON VEGGIES. Some of the best options are olives, bell peppers, mushrooms, broccoli, spinach and sun-dried tomatoes. All are low in calories and high in vitamins and fiber. Pineapple, a fruit, is also a great choice.

GO HEAVY ON SAUCE. Tomato sauce is a rich source of antioxidants that may guard against heart disease and other health problems. It also is likely to include nutritious herbs and chopped garlic, which may help control cholesterol and protect against certain types of cancer.

GO LIGHT ON CHEESE. Many of the calories and fat in pizza come from cheese. Order half the cheese or, as an alternative to cheddar, ask for a sprinkling of feta cheese.

BLOT OFF THE OIL. Patting a slice of pizza with a clean napkin will soak up some excess fat.

EAT SOMETHING HEALTHY FIRST. Snack on fresh fruit, vegetables or nuts before the pizza arrives so you're less likely to pig out. Don't order a side. Just one cheese breadstick, for example, may pack 200 calories and 10 grams of fat.