Understanding the Pizza Pizza Keto Crust
The Canadian pizza chain, Pizza Pizza, introduced a keto-friendly crust option to cater to the growing low-carb market. The crust is supplied by Unbun Foods, a company specializing in keto, paleo, and gluten-free bread products. Before diving into whether it's truly keto-friendly, it's essential to look at the foundation.
The Ingredients Behind the Crust
The keto crust's low-carb status is achieved by replacing traditional wheat flour with alternative ingredients. The official Pizza Pizza website (via distributor Pizza 73) lists the core components as:
- Organic coconut flour
- Eggs (egg whites and liquid whole egg)
- Organic pumpkin seed flour
- Psyllium husk
- Flax meal
- Coconut milk
- Ground chia
This combination of high-fiber, low-carb flours and binders is designed to mimic a traditional pizza dough while keeping net carbs low. The use of psyllium husk, flax, and chia is critical, as they are high in dietary fiber, which is subtracted from total carbs to determine net carbs for ketogenic dieters.
Breaking Down the Net Carbs
While the crust itself is impressively low-carb, the final verdict on whether the pizza is 'actually keto' depends on the complete order. Keto dieters often need to stay under a strict daily carbohydrate limit, sometimes as low as 20-50 grams. The small, 10-inch keto crust contains 4g of non-fiber net carbs per crust. However, this is just the base. The macros change significantly once you add sauce and toppings.
The Impact of Toppings and Sauce
The net carb count can increase substantially with the addition of typical pizza ingredients. Standard tomato sauce contains added sugars, adding to the overall carb count. Toppings like certain vegetables and processed meats can also contribute carbs. For example, the Keto Pepperoni pizza was reported to have 2g net carbs per slice (total of 12g for the pizza), while the Keto Pesto Margherita had 3g net carbs per slice (18g total). This highlights the importance of choosing toppings wisely.
Keto Pizza: A Comparison Table
To understand how Pizza Pizza's keto offering stacks up, let's compare it to other low-carb pizza options.
| Feature | Pizza Pizza Keto Crust (With Toppings) | Homemade 'Fathead' Dough | Cauliflower Crust (Store-bought) | Crustless Pizza Bowl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Convenience | High (Ready-to-eat) | Low (Requires preparation) | Medium (Bake at home) | High (Ready to order) |
| Net Carbs (per serving) | Varies, can be 2-3g+ per slice | Varies, typically 1-2g per slice | Often higher than homemade; check labels carefully | Varies, but can be near-zero with smart toppings |
| Ingredients | Unbun blend: coconut flour, eggs, psyllium, etc. | Mozzarella, cream cheese, egg, almond flour | Riced cauliflower, eggs, cheese, flour fillers | Cheese, sauce, toppings; no crust |
| Flavor/Texture | Reported as spongy or omelette-like | Chewy, cheesy, close to traditional | Can be watery or crumbly; quality varies | Intense flavor profile from toppings |
| Customization | Excellent; choose your own toppings | Excellent; full control | Good; add desired toppings | Excellent; choose all ingredients |
| Allergens | Contains eggs | Contains dairy and eggs | Varies; check for dairy/fillers | Varies depending on ingredients |
Best Practices for a Keto-Friendly Pizza Experience
Even with a low-carb crust, the potential for 'keto-cide' from hidden carbs is high. To ensure your Pizza Pizza order stays within your macros, follow these guidelines:
Choose Your Sauce Wisely
Request a low-sugar sauce option if available, or ask for a very light amount of the standard tomato sauce. Alternatively, opt for a different base altogether, like olive oil with garlic and herbs, or pesto, though pesto will have its own carb contribution.
Load Up on Keto-Approved Toppings
Stick to high-fat, low-carb toppings. Some excellent choices include:
- Extra cheese
- Pepperoni, Italian sausage, bacon, ground beef
- Mushrooms
- Green peppers, onions (in moderation)
- Black olives
- Spinach
Limit High-Carb Toppings
Avoid or limit toppings that can secretly add a lot of carbs, such as pineapple, sugary sauces, or a heavy portion of high-carb vegetables.
The Discontinuation of Pizza Pizza's Keto Crust
While the keto crust was an exciting option, recent reports indicate that Pizza Pizza has discontinued this offering in some regions. This highlights the fluctuating availability of keto menu items at fast-food restaurants. Always check with your local branch for the most current menu options before placing an order. This has led many in the keto community to either seek alternatives like those from Red Swan Pizza or master homemade versions.
Conclusion: So, Is It Actually Keto?
Yes, the Pizza Pizza keto crust was actually keto, but with a significant caveat: the entire pizza's nutritional value. The crust itself, with only 4g of non-fiber net carbs, was a legitimately low-carb base, thanks to its special formulation with Unbun Foods. However, the total net carb count increased with the sauce and toppings, requiring careful selection to stay within a strict ketogenic diet's daily limits. For those managing a less-strict low-carb diet, it was an excellent and convenient option. Given the reports of its discontinuation, keto dieters must now turn to other options like making their own 'fathead' or cauliflower crusts, or seeking out other restaurants that still offer low-carb alternatives. The key takeaway remains to always scrutinize the total macros of your meal, not just the base ingredient, to ensure you stay in ketosis.
Note: Due to the discontinuation, this information serves as a guide for historical context and understanding the broader fast-food keto landscape.
Additional Resources
For those interested in exploring alternative keto pizza options or ingredients, a wealth of resources exists online. For instance, the Unbun Foods website details the products they provide to restaurants and sell directly to consumers, which formed the basis for this discontinued offering.
Sources: -: The Hamilton Spectator & Pizza Pizza official information detail the Unbun partnership and ingredients. -: Pizza Pizza press release from January 2020 confirms initial launch and macros. -: Reddit user feedback discusses the crust's discontinuation. -: Details on homemade 'fathead' pizza crust from Reddit.
Author's Note: Always verify the latest nutritional information with the restaurant directly, as menus and ingredients can change, and the availability of specific items like this keto crust is subject to change.
