TYPE: Lunch, Dinner            PREP TIME: < 15 mins (< 30 mins if making own hummus)

Goodies Needed

• Whole Wheat, Greek Pocketless Pita Bread
• Roasted red pepper hummus or original (store bought or homemade)
• Eggplant (preferably organic)
• Green Bell Peppers (preferably organic)
• Mixed Olives (not canned)
• Skim or low-fat Feta cheese (crumbled)

* Quantities depend on number of people you are serving and portion sizes

Preparation Steps

• Spread a layer of hummus over each pita bread
• Rinse and peel the eggplant
• Cut the eggplant first into thin slices and secondly cut the slices into quarters
• Rinse and dice the green peppers
• Slice up the olives
• Layer the veggies on the pizza starting with the eggplant
• Sprinkle some of the Feta cheese on top
• Cook in a toaster oven or regular oven at about 250F until golden or crispy (about 10 minutes)
• This makes a delicious, healthy and unique home made pizza in great personal portion sizes that the whole family can enjoy!
• Come back and let me know how you liked it

Meal Nutritional Benefits

Whole Wheat Pita

• offers healthy source of complex carbohydrates, which help to regulate healthy blood-sugar levels
• good source of (in descending order): manganese, fiber, tryptophan and magnesium
• helps to maintain a healthy weight, reduces risk of metabolic syndrome, lowers risk of diabetes type 2, helps prevent gallstones
• enhances intestinal health by keeping you regular, protects against breast cancer, helps prevent childhood asthma, enhances cardiovascular health and contains an excellent dose of phytochemicals to promote overall health
• for more information, visit the whole wheat detailed overview from World’s Healthiest Foods

Hummus:

• acts as a great substitute for the traditional tomato sauce and adds a unique flavor to the pizza
• the homemade version is healthiest especially if made with freshly cooked chickpeas as it greatly reduces the sodium levels
• since it is chickpea based it is a good source of: vitamin A, vitamin C, molybdenum, manganese, fiber and folate

Eggplant:

• provides the pizza with a subtle hint of flavor and is a great way to incorporate eggplant into your diet
• good source of (in descending order): fiber, potassium, manganese, copper, vitamin B1, vitamin B6, folate, magnesium, tryptophan and vitamin B3
• source of highly beneficial phytonutrients, including flavonoids and antioxidants
• protects against free radical damage, promotes cholesterol reduction and promotes cardiovascular health
• for more information, visit the eggplant detailed overview from World’s Healthiest Foods

Bell Peppers:

• Great source of antioxidants while it adds an  appetizing, colorful touch to the pizza, especially if you mix of all 3 colors of peppers

• good source of (in descending order): vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin B6, fiber, molybdenum, vitamin K, manganese, folate, potassium, vitamin B1, vitamin E, tryptophan and copper

• helps reduce risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease, protects against rheumatoid arthritis, promotes healthy eyesight and lungs, and enhances overall good health 
• for more information, visit the bell peppers detailed overview from World’s Healthiest Foods

Olives:

• great source of monounsaturated fats
• good source of (in descending order): iron, vitamin E, fiber and copper
• have anti-inflammatory compounds, have antioxidant properties for fighting cancers and offer protection from heart disease
• for more information, visit the olives detailed overview from World’s Healthiest Foods

Cheese (low-fat):

• provides a serving of dairy
• good source of (in descending order): tryptophan, calcium, protein, phosphorus, iodine and selenium
• dairy products in general help prevent colon cancer, osteoporosis, migraine and PMS as well protect against gout, breast cancer, metabolic syndrome and help maintain a healthy weight
• for more information, visit the cheese detailed overview from World’s Healthiest Foods

About the author:
Evita Ochel, B.Sc., B.Ed., CHN - is a certified holistic nutritionist, biologist, educator, writer, researcher and speaker in the areas of health, science and holistic wellness. She is a nutritional science expert and her teaching and writing focus on natural, wholesome, plant-based and organic nutrition to achieve optimal health and longevity. Learn more about Evita Ochel or Follow Evita Ochel on Twitter.