Most people trying to cut down on carbs think they have to avoid pizza. It's true, most traditional pizzas involve LOTS of bread. But the truth is, you can create a delicious low carb pizza with a little creativity.
While the crust is the foundation for a great pizza, it doesn't necessarily mean that the crust has to be a big, gooey slab of dough. You can get the great taste of pizza, without the carbs, by thinking a bit outside the "pizza box".
\"Low Carb Pizza\"
Homemade low carb pizza
Your best bet for a yummy low carb pizza is to make your pizza at home where you can control the ingredients. If you are on a strict low carb diet, try these ideas for your pizza crust;
- whole wheat tortilla
- Portabello mushroom
- cauliflower (click link below for recipe - you'll be amazed!)
- cheese - yes, as a crust! (not low fat, but definitely low carb)
- low carb English muffin
- thin hamburger patty
Most people don't think of pizza sauce as being high in carbs, but believe it or not, some sauce is high in carbs. If you buy sauce in a jar, pay attention to the label. Try and find sauces with low sugar, such as Ragu's Homestyle Pizza Sauce, Trader Joe's Three Cheese Marinara or even Walmart's Great Value brand pizza sauce.
If you long for a more traditional crust, make a thin, whole wheat crust or use a premade crust such as Boboli's whole wheat crust. Using a wheat crust will help you cut back on carbs.
For example, a Boboli 14 oz. regular pizza crust has 32g of carbs in 1/6 of the pizza. The Boboli whole wheat crust has 22g of carbs in 1/6 of the pizza. Choosing whole wheat knocks off 10g in carbs. Definitely worth going with the whole wheat pizza crust (not to mention it is healthier and slightly lower in fat).
Restaurant pizza
Finding a low carb pizza at restaurants or from your local delivery place is a little more challenging, but still can be done. The key here is to order thin crust or a whole wheat crust, if available. Whole wheat crust is hard to find at most pizza delivery places, so opt for a cracker-thin crust, which will considerably cut down on carbs.
Frozen pizza
There are a few good options out there for low carb frozen pizza. Of course, thin crust is widely available from most brands, but you can also find wheat crusts or even a rice crust from Amy's Kitchen. Kashi offers a great variety of thin and healthy crusts as does Amy's and California Pizza Kitchen. Be sure and look at the labels closely.
Of course, it goes without saying that portion control is the key to keeping the carbs, and the fat, at bay. Keeping your pizza portion to 1 or 2 slices is going to help you stay on track.
Bottom line, you don't have to deny yourself the wonderful taste of pizza when watching carbs. Just use your imagination and enjoy every bite of your low carb pizza!
Low Carb Pizza - Yes, It Is Possible
Susan Osborne is the editor of Completelypizza.com, a website dedicated to pizza lovers.