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Does MOD pizza cauliflower crust have carbs?


MOD pizza is a popular pizza chain that offers customizable personal pizzas. One of their unique crust options is a cauliflower crust, which appeals to people following low-carb or gluten-free diets. However, there seems to be some confusion around whether MOD’s cauliflower crust is actually low in carbs. This article will examine the nutrition information for MOD pizza’s cauliflower crust to determine if it does indeed contain carbs.

Nutrition Facts for MOD Cauliflower Crust

According to the nutrition information on MOD pizza’s website, here are the macronutrients in their 11-inch cauliflower crust:

Calories Total Fat Carbohydrates Fiber Protein
260 8g 36g 18g 20g

As you can see, MOD’s cauliflower crust does contain a significant amount of carbohydrates, with 36g per crust. However, it’s important to note that 18g of those carbs come from dietary fiber. Fiber is a type of carbohydrate that our bodies cannot digest, so it does not impact blood sugar levels like other carbs.

Some people on low-carb diets do not count fiber toward total carb counts, because of its negligible effects on blood sugar. So by that calculation, the MOD cauliflower crust has 18g of “net” digestible carbs. This is still a moderate carb content compared to a traditional flour-based pizza crust.

Carb Content Compared to Regular Crust

To better evaluate the carb content of MOD’s cauliflower crust, let’s compare it to a regular pizza crust.

Here are the nutrition facts for an 11-inch classic pizza crust from MOD:

Calories Total Fat Carbohydrates Fiber Protein
290 3.5g 56g 2g 8g

The classic crust has over 50g total carbs and only 2g of fiber. So if we disregard fiber, the cauliflower crust has about 18g net carbs compared to 54g net carbs in the classic crust.

Clearly, the cauliflower crust is significantly lower in digestible carbs than a standard wheat-based crust. Switching from regular crust to cauliflower crust reduces the net carb content by about 67%.

Ingredients in Cauliflower Crust

To further understand where the carbs are coming from in MOD’s cauliflower crust, let’s look at the ingredients:

– Cauliflower: The main ingredient. Cauliflower is very low in carbohydrates.

– Whole Wheat Flour: This flour contributes some carbohydrates and fiber.

– Enriched Wheat Flour: Refined wheat flour is high in digestible carbs.

– Water

– Soybean Oil

– Sugar: Adds a small amount of carbohydrates.

– Salt

– Yeast: Used for leavening.

– Garlic Powder

– Maltodextrin: Often used as a filler or binder. It is a lightly processed carb.

– Spices

– Soy Lecithin

So in summary, this crust gets some of its carbs from whole wheat flour, enriched wheat flour, sugar, and maltodextrin. The combination of cauliflower, whole wheat flour, and wheat flour allows it to mimic the texture of real bread while lowering the net carb count.

Is This Crust Keto-Friendly?

The ketogenic or “keto” diet recommends keeping net carbs under 50g per day, although some people aim for under 20g. With 18g net carbs per crust, MOD’s cauliflower crust would fit into a 50g/day keto diet with proper portioning. However, it likely contains too many digestible carbs to fit a strict 20g/day keto target.

People following a vegetarian or vegan keto diet may find the cauliflower crust is one of their better options when dining out. But those adhering to a strict keto diet may want to limit themselves to 1-2 slices or opt for a lower-carb alternative.

Is This Crust Gluten-Free?

Despite being marketed as a gluten-free alternative, MOD’s cauliflower crust is not actually 100% gluten-free. It contains both whole wheat flour and enriched wheat flour as main ingredients. Wheat flour contains gluten proteins.

The crust is produced in the same facilities and ovens as MOD’s regular gluten-containing crusts. So there is a high risk of cross-contamination.

MOD does recommend this crust for people with mild gluten sensitivities or those simply looking to reduce gluten intake. But it would not be safe for people with celiac disease or severe gluten intolerances.

Low-Carb Alternative Crusts

If you are following a keto or low-carb diet, here are some alternative low-carb crusts to consider from pizza chains:

Pizza Chain Low-Carb Crust
Blaze Pizza Keto crust
Caulipower Cauliflower crust
California Pizza Kitchen Cauliflower crust
Toppers Pizza Low carb crust

These chains offer pizza crusts with fewer than 10g net carbs per serving. For a stricter keto diet, Caulipower and Blaze Pizza’s keto crusts are the best options.

Making Your Own Low-Carb Cauliflower Crust

Another option is to make your own cauliflower pizza crust at home. Here is a sample recipe:

Ingredients:

– 2 cups riced cauliflower
– 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella
– 1 ounce cream cheese
– 1 egg
– 1/2 cup almond flour
– 1 teaspoon garlic powder
– 1/2 teaspoon oregano
– 1/2 teaspoon basil
– 1/2 teaspoon thyme

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a pizza pan or baking sheet with parchment.

2. In a microwave-safe bowl, microwave riced cauliflower for 5 minutes to soften. Allow to cool slightly.

3. Place cauliflower in a clean kitchen towel and wring out excess moisture.

4. Mix cauliflower rice with remaining ingredients. Knead together until a dough forms.

5. Place dough between two large sheets of parchment. Roll into a flat, round crust about 1/4 inch thick.

6. Transfer crust on parchment to the prepared pan. Bake 15 minutes.

7. Remove parchment. Top crust with sauce and toppings. Bake another 5-10 minutes until crispy.

8. Allow to cool 5 minutes before slicing.

This crust is low-carb, gluten-free, and can be customized to your dietary needs. Make it your new go-to pizza base!

The Bottom Line

MOD pizza’s cauliflower crust does contain a moderate amount of digestible carbs, with about 18g net carbs per 11-inch crust. While lower in carbs than a traditional pizza crust, it may not fit into a strict keto diet plan.

The crust is not 100% gluten-free either, since it contains wheat flour. Those with celiac disease should avoid this crust due to cross-contamination concerns.

People looking for ultra low-carb or gluten-free crusts can explore alternatives like Caulipower, Blaze Pizza, or making their own cauliflower crust at home. With the right toppings and portion control, MOD’s cauliflower crust can be a better option for low-carb diets compared to regular pizza crust.