Sometimes pizza can be a meal all by itself, especially when you're eating alone. But when you're throwing a party or just having a big family meal, you probably want some side dishes to even out the meal. However, many of the common side dishes that go with pizza are fried or bread-based. You may be looking for a lighter side dish to help balance out your meal. Take a look at some lighter, low-carb side dishes that taste terrific next to a slice of pizza:

Citrus Salad

Any salad makes a good light side dish that pairs well with pizza, but the bright notes found in a citrus salad have the benefit of balancing out the rich cheese and heavy fat content in a pizza. It acts as something of a palate cleanser, which can heighten and enhance the flavor of the pizza.

It's easy to make a simple citrus salad. Simply toss shredded lettuce, thin peeled orange slices, roasted pecans, and crumbled gorgonzola cheese in a large bowl. Whisk together white vinegar, olive oil, diced shallots, and salt and pepper in a separate container. Pour the vinegar and olive oil mixture over the salad, toss until it's coated, and serve alongside your pizza.

Carrot Slaw

Did you decide at the last minute that your pizza order needed a side dish? If you're in a hurry, carrot slaw is an easy dish to put together on short notice, and it provides a crunchy, tangy counterpart to your pizza. Plus, it looks pretty on the table.

To make carrot slaw, all you need is shredded carrots, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, sugar, walnuts, raisins or dried cranberries, and salt and pepper. Whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, and sugar, and pour the mixture over the shredded carrots. Stir in the walnuts and dried cranberries or raisins, and season with salt and pepper. Pop the slaw in the refrigerator and serve chilled when your pizza arrives.

Italian-Style Zucchini Sticks

Looking for something that reminds you of cheesy breadsticks, but without all the extra carbs? These zucchini sticks are an easy, healthy, and tasty solution.

Just slice several zucchinis into sticks or fry shapes and brush them in a mixture of egg beaten into a small bowl of water. Toss garlic powder, salt, pepper, and parmesan in a bowl, and sprinkle it over the fries. Put the sticks in the oven and bake until the sticks are brown and crunchy. Serve them with warm marinara sauce.

With these side dishes, your pizza meal doesn't have to leave you feeling bloated or overly full. These light, low-carb dishes give you a complete meal that's not excessively heavy. Contact a pizza delivery service near you for more information and assistance.