Order thin crust.

Thick pizza crusts are loaded with carbohydrates and calories. You can save as many as 110 calories per slice simply by ordering a thin crust instead of a traditional crust.

Try the whole grain crust.

Whole grains pizza crusts contain more dietary fiber than those made with refined white flour. This will keep you feeling full longer.

Stick with red sauce.

Traditional marinara is the healthiest choice of sauce on most menus. Creamy white sauces are often loaded with fat and calories, barbecue sauces can be high in sugar, and buffalo sauce can be full of sodium.

Split it.

Some single-serving pizzas contain more than 1500 calories. Split the pizza with a friend. If you are still hungry, add a side salad with olive oil and balsamic vinegar dressing.

Build your own.

Take advantage of build-your-own options so you have the control to put together a healthier meal.

Ask for half the cheese.

Cheese is loaded with calories and saturated fat. Most restaurants add much more than you need to feel satisfied.

Try Parmesan cheese.

Aged hard cheeses, like Parmesan and Asiago, are flavorful and allow you to use less cheese to reduce calories and fat.

The simpler, the better.

Stick with classic, simple flavors. A margherita pizza with marinara, basil, and cheese is satisfying without being loaded with the calories, fat, and sodium that come with supreme and meat pizzas.

Choose lean meats.

If you prefer meat on your pizza, choose something lean. Canadian bacon, lean ground beef, and chicken will help keep the calories under control.

Make it half and half.

If your favorite pizza toppings aren’t the healthiest, order your pizza half and half. Get one side with a few of your favorites, and stick with something healthy on the other half. By simply eating half the amount of meat or cheese, you can cut calories and unhealthy fat.

Lori Rice, M.S., is a nutritional scientist and author with a passion for healthy cooking, exercise physiology, and food photography.