Everything You Need to Know About Making Healthy & Satisfying Low-Carb Pizza
Nothing beats a delicious, piping hot pizza. For many, it’s an iconic food – a greasy guilty pleasure lovingly consumed on special occasions or simple weeknight dinners. Even those of us who aim to maintain a healthy lifestyle can appreciate the occasional indulgence.
However, traditional pizza can contain some of the less nutritious ingredients out there. Flour-based crusts, refined sugar, high-fat meats and cheeses, and heavy sauce can add up to an astronomical calorie and carbohydrate count. For those who want to enjoy the flavor and experience of pizza while still sticking to a low-carb lifestyle, the game has to be changed a bit.
Creating a Delicious Low-Carb Pizza Crust
Lucky for us, there are plenty of amazing low-carb pizza crust recipes out there for us to try. Creating a low-carb crust involving substitutions, such as using cauliflower instead of wheat flour, sweet potato instead of regular potato, and almond meal rather than white flour. The key to success is to find the right recipe is to find one that is easy to make and still delivers on the flavor and texture for which we know and love pizza.
Here are some top low-carb pizza crust recipes to try:
• Cauliflower-based Crust – Blitz cauliflower florets in a food processor to form a “rice”. Mix up with egg, mozzarella, and some seasonings, spread out into the shape of the pizza crust and bake in the oven.
• Eggplant-based Crust – Slice eggplant into thin discs, layer them on top of one another, and top with egg, cheese, and herbs. Bake until the crust is golden brown.
• Almond Flour-based Crust – Make your own almond flour by blending blanched almonds in a food processor until very fine. Combine with egg, mozzarella, and some seasonings, spread it out into the shape of the pizza crust, and bake it.
• Sweet Potato-based Crust – Combine grated sweet potatoes with egg, cheese, and seasonings and spread out into the shape of the pizza crust. Bake until golden brown.
Healthy & Satisfying Low-Carb Toppings
Just as important as the crust, is the topping of the pizza. Here are some ideas for tasty, healthy, low-carb topping for your next homemade pizzas:
• Spinach Artichoke – Spread a thin layer of hummus instead of tomato sauce, and load it with artichokes, spinach, olives, mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese.
• BBQ Chicken – Skip the classic pizza sauce and opt for a smear of low-sugar BBQ sauce instead. Top with grilled chicken, red onion, green pepper, and a blend of mozzarella and goat cheese.
• Margherita – Spread a thin layer of tomato sauce, scatter some slices of fresh mozzarella, and top with halved plum tomatoes, sea salt, and fresh basil leaves.
• Mediterranean – Spread a thin layer of hummus instead of tomato sauce and top with artichokes, red onion, roasted red peppers, olives, feta cheese, and fresh oregano.
• Pepperoni – Top with slices of pepperoni, mushrooms, green onions, red pepper flakes, mozzarella, and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
• Portobello Mushroom – Spread a thin layer of tomato sauce, top with slices of portobello mushroom, fresh baby spinach, and a blend of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
• Buffalo Chicken – Skip the pizza sauce and opt for a smear of low-sugar buffalo sauce, top with grilled chicken, diced celery and carrots, red onion, and a blend of mozzarella and goat cheese.
Maintaining a Low-Carb Lifestyle While Enjoying Pizza
Eating pizza while sticking to a low-carb diet is possible as long as you practice mindful eating. Eating low-carb pizza doesn’t have to be a source of guilt – it can be a source of nutritious sustenance with the right ingredients, toppings, and portion sizes. Here are a few ways to stick to your healthy goals while still enjoying some pizza:
• Try a thin crust pizza – thin-crust pizzas tend to be lower in carbs than thicker crusts. Plus, you get more toppings and have the opportunity to get creative with your ingredients, like adding veggies for a nutrition-packed pizza, or opting for leaner meats.
• Make your own pizza – Making your own pizza gives you greater control over the ingredients that go into it. Opt for lower-carb toppings like mushrooms, spinach, onion, bell pepper, and leaner meats, and choose healthier alternatives to making the crust, like using almond flour or cauliflower.
• Watch your portion size – A pizza slice can be a satisfying meal when paired with a salad. When indulging in pizza, be mindful of how many slices you eat and try to stick to one or two slices.
• Plan for treats – For special occasions and cheat days, indulge in a pizza without compromising your lifestyle. Just remember to practice mindful eating and avoid overeating.
The Bottom Line
Making healthy and satisfying low-carb pizzas is possible. With the right ingredients, toppings, and portion sizes, pizza can be a healthful and enjoyable part of a low-carb diet. There are loads of delicious and creative options out there with recipes to fit any lifestyle. So don’t be afraid to enjoy a slice of pizza every now and then. As long as you’re eating mindfully and indulging in moderation, there’s nothing wrong with a small treat.
With these strategies and strategies, you’re ready to make tasty and healthy low-carb pizzas at home, or find the best pizza places near you. So get creative with your toppings, experiment with different crusts, and enjoy eating pizza with friends and family without sacrificing your style of eating.
