Pizza gets a bad rap from the food police, but the truth is that when it’s prepared the right way, it can be a better choice than burgers or fried chicken fingers.

Central to pizza’s health benefits is, of course, the tomato. Whether you put tomatoes on top of your pie or in the sauce, they pack a nutritional punch because of their high levels of lycopene, an antioxidant that has been shown to ward off many types of cancer, according to Buzzle.com.

Your pizza’s crust won’t necessarily help your figure, but dough does happen to contain antioxidants, too, Buzzle.com says, which tend to multiply depending on how the pizza is baked.

Plus, you can increase your pizza’s health profile by picking the right toppings. Avoid adding tons of meat and cheese and instead opt for red peppers, which Buzzle.com notes are chock-full of vitamins.

Or drop a few onions on your pie, which contain fiber and can “lower your blood sugar, cholesterol as well as blood pressure,” the site says. And while black olives aren’t for everyone, Buzzle.com claims they’re good for your cardiovascular health.

So don’t feel guilty the next time you bite into a tasty slice. Step into The Pizza Joint on Forest Drive in Columbia and order with confidence. With food that’s fresh, as well as a vibe that’s casual and family-friendly, The Pizza Joint is destined to become your new neighborhood hangout.

Contact The Pizza Joint at (803) 454-1743 for more information.