Hello, I'm an expert in nutrition and food science. When it comes to categorizing food, it's important to consider the nutritional content and the context in which it's consumed.

Pizza, in general, has a reputation as a "junk food" due to some common characteristics: it can be high in calories, saturated fats, and sodium, especially when made with processed meats, a thick layer of cheese, and a heavy, deep-dish crust. However, it's not accurate to label all pizza as junk food without considering the variations in ingredients and preparation methods.

Pizza can be a part of a healthy diet if it's made with whole-grain crusts, topped with vegetables, and uses moderate amounts of lean protein and healthy fats. For instance, a pizza with a thin crust, plenty of tomato sauce, a mix of vegetable toppings, and a sprinkling of low-fat cheese or plant-based protein can be a nutritious meal.

On the other hand, a pizza loaded with processed meats, a thick layer of cheese, and a deep-dish crust can be high in calories, saturated fats, and sodium, which can contribute to health issues if consumed regularly.

So, whether pizza is considered junk food or not depends on the specific ingredients and how it fits into your overall diet.

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Americans eat an average of 46 slices of pizza per person each year, according to MayoClinic.com. While pizza can be healthy if you make it the right way, most of the pizza you buy counts as junk food because of the high amount of refined carbohydrates, fat and sodium it contains.read more >>