Pizza that doesn't pile on the pounds

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WeightWatchers has invited its members to Pizza Express to prove that no food is off-limits, even if it is covered in cheese and Italian ham.

From today scores of men and women will visit branches in Mayfair and Teddington to take part in the classes. They will be taught WeightWatchers' points scheme which gives every food a value and sets a daily consumption limit of 18, 21 or 30 points - depending on the size of the weight problem.

As staff prepare for the lunchtime rush, participants will be weighed in and given a pep talk by a slimming leader. But for the first time, each member will be encouraged to stay behind after the morning meeting for a healthy lunch of pizza and salad.

The Italian chain is baking a range of new "leggera" (light) pizzas that contain 500 calories - half the typical calorie count - and score 7.5 points. Low-fat cheese is used and the centre of the pizza is removed and filled with salad, thereby halving the amount of dough.

Antonio Romani, executive development chef at PizzaExpress, said: "I wanted to create a range which tasted great but was lower in calories and fat. They are inspired by fresella from Naples (light granary bread that is baked twice and served with fresh tomatoes and olive oil)."

The three diet pizzas will be available in 11 London restaurants from today (Balham, Holborn, King's Road, Millbank, Blackheath, Aldgate, Romford, Ealing, Bruton Place Mayfair, Teddington and Euston) and in every branch nationwide from next month. Angharad Massie, from WeightWatchers, said: "We wanted to show that what you eat doesn't mean compromising on quality and taste or avoiding your favourite foods. Pizzas are traditionally thought of as being a no-go area for dieters - this is not the case."

Maria McKinless, 51, who attended the first meeting in Mayfair on Friday, said: "It is brilliant that restaurants are giving dieters options.

"I usually go to WeightWatchers meetings in church halls, but going to a nice restaurant is a great change - and we get weighed in a side room so no one can see. It is tempting to be surrounded by food though, but at least now there is something we can eat."