Keto diets have become increasingly popular in recent years as a way to lose weight and improve health. The keto diet emphasizes eating foods that are high in fat and very low in carbs to achieve ketosis, a metabolic state where your body burns fat for fuel instead of carbs.
Many people following a keto diet miss being able to eat pizza, since traditional pizza crust contains lots of carbs. However, some grocery stores and restaurants now offer cauliflower crust pizza that claims to be keto-friendly. One such option is the cauliflower crust pizza sold at Jet’s Pizza. But is Jet’s cauliflower pizza really keto? Let’s take a detailed look at the nutrition info to find out.
Examining the Nutrition Facts of Jet’s Cauliflower Pizza
To determine if a food fits into a keto eating plan, it’s important to examine the amount of net carbs it contains. Net carbs are calculated by subtracting fiber from total carbohydrates, since fiber is not digested and absorbed like other carbs.
The standard keto diet recommends limiting net carbs to 20-50 grams per day. Some people aim for even fewer net carbs, around 15-30 grams daily. So a keto-friendly meal or snack should have no more than around 5-15 grams net carbs per serving.
Here are the nutrition facts for one slice of Jet’s cauliflower crust cheese pizza (1/8 of a 12″ pizza):
| Nutrition Facts | 1 Slice |
|---|---|
| Calories | 180 |
| Fat | 12g |
| Protein | 12g |
| Total Carbohydrates | 8g |
| Dietary Fiber | 4g |
| Total Sugars | 1g |
| Net Carbs | 4g |
As you can see, one slice of Jet’s cauliflower crust pizza contains just 4g net carbs. This is well within keto diet guidelines, even for people aiming for around 15-20g net carbs per day.
Ingredients in Jet’s Cauliflower Pizza Crust
In addition to examining nutrition information, it’s also helpful to look at the ingredients that make up a food when deciding if it fits your keto diet.
Here are the main ingredients in Jet’s cauliflower pizza crust:
– Cauliflower: The main ingredient. Cauliflower is very low in carbs at only 5g net carbs per cup.
– Eggs: Eggs help bind the crust together. They also add protein without extra carbs.
– Cheese: The crust contains both mozzarella and cheddar cheese. Cheese adds fat and flavor.
– Almond flour: Almond flour provides fiber, protein and healthy fats.
– Psyllium husk: A type of soluble fiber that helps hold the crust together. It does not count toward net carbs.
– Seasonings and spices: The crust is flavored with small amounts of garlic powder, salt, black pepper and oregano.
As you can see, the ingredients are all keto-friendly choices. There are no grains or starches used to make Jet’s cauliflower pizza crust. It is primarily composed of vegetables, eggs, cheese, nuts and seeds.
Net Carbs in Other Toppings and Styles
While the cauliflower crust is low carb, you also need to account for the net carbs in any toppings and sauces added on top. Here are some estimates:
– 1/4 cup pizza sauce: around 5g net carbs
– 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese: around 1g net carbs
– 4 slices pepperoni: around 0g net carbs
– 1/4 cup mushrooms: around 1g net carbs
– 1/4 cup onions: around 3g net carbs
– 1/4 cup green peppers: around 2g net carbs
So if you stick with veggie toppings like mushrooms, onions and peppers, you’ll only be adding on a few more grams of net carbs per slice. Meats like pepperoni and pork sausage will add minimal carbs.
Jet’s also offers the cauliflower crust in several styles, including cheese, pepperoni, veggie and “the works”. Based on the nutrition facts available online, all of these styles contain right around 4g net carbs per slice.
So the cauliflower crust remains keto-friendly regardless of what toppings you choose. Just be mindful of avoiding higher carb sauces like barbecue sauce.
Portion Sizes of Jet’s Cauliflower Pizza
Another important consideration is paying attention to portion sizes. Just because a food is low carb doesn’t mean you can eat unlimited quantities of it on a keto diet.
Jet’s cauliflower pizzas come in three sizes:
– 10″: 4 slices
– 12″: 6 slices
– 14″: 8 slices
One or two slices of a 10″ or 12″ cauliflower crust Jet’s pizza would make a good keto meal. But eating a whole 14″ pizza at 8 slices would add up to around 32g net carbs, which may be too high for some people’s daily carb target.
The largest recommended portion is one quarter of a 14″ pizza, or 2 slices. This provides an abundance of fat and protein at around 10g net carbs.
It’s best to stick with 1-2 slices to stay within keto macro goals for the day. Leftovers can be refrigerated for later or frozen.
Tips for Staying in Ketosis with Cauliflower Pizza
Here are some tips to make the most of Jet’s cauliflower pizza while staying in ketosis:
– Choose veggie toppings over higher carb options like pineapple or barbecue chicken
– Ask for extra cheese and pepperoni to amp up the fat content
– Skip the garlic sauce, honey mustard or other high carb dipping sauces
– Enjoy your 1-2 slices alongside a big keto-friendly salad with olive oil dressing for a balanced meal
– Be mindful of your portions and stop at 1-2 slices to avoid overdoing carbs
– Order the 10″ or 12″ size instead of 14″ to keep portions in check
– Skip the breadsticks, cinnamon rolls or other carb-heavy sides
– Consider making pizza at home using the same (or less) amount of cauliflower crust to control portions
– Balance your pizza meal with very low carb foods the rest of the day
– Test your blood ketones after eating pizza to ensure you stay in optimal ketosis
The Verdict on Jet’s Cauliflower Pizza
Based on the nutrition information and ingredients list, Jet’s cauliflower crust pizza can absolutely be part of a keto diet. A slice or two fits comfortably within keto carb limits.
Just pay attention to portion size, choose low carb toppings, and avoid higher carb sauces and sides. Pair your pizza with a leafy green salad and avoid overdoing it on the crust.
When enjoyed occasionally in moderate portions, Jet’s cauliflower pizza can be a tasty keto-friendly alternative to regular pizza. It lets you participate in pizza night or enjoy a slice of the pie without getting knocked out of ketosis.
For the best chance of success with keto, be sure to accurately track your macros and carbs from all foods each day. This will help ensure you get adequate nutrition while keeping net carbs low enough to stay in ketosis.
With smart choices to create balance, products like Jet’s cauliflower pizza can definitely complement an effective ketogenic diet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a big difference in taste between cauliflower and regular pizza crust?
Most people find the taste and texture of cauliflower pizza crust to be quite similar to regular pizza crust, especially once topped with sauce and toppings. The cauliflower flavor is mild. The biggest difference is that the cauliflower crust lacks the chewiness of gluten-based crust. But it provides a crisp, sturdy base for all your favorite toppings.
Can you order Jet’s cauliflower pizza without cheese?
Yes, you can request any of their cauliflower pizza varieties without cheese. The crust will likely be more delicate, so take care slicing it. But this is a good option to further reduce carbs and calories if needed.
Does Jet’s offer a smaller cauliflower pizza size for children?
Unfortunately Jet’s does not offer the cauliflower crust in their kids pizza size, which is 6″. Your best option is to order a 10″ cauliflower crust pizza and cut it into smaller portions to share with children. The crust may also be more fragile and difficult for little hands to manage.
Can you order Jet’s cauliflower pizza online?
Yes, you can order online for both takeout and delivery from Jet’s Pizza locations. Simply choose your crust as cauliflower, then pick your size and other preferences when building your pizza online for pickup or delivery.
This is a convenient option for enjoying Jet’s cauliflower pizza while sticking to your keto meal plan.
Conclusion
Jet’s cauliflower crust pizza is a tasty keto-friendly alternative to regular pizza. One or two slices can fit into a daily low-carb keto eating plan.
Stick with veggie toppings, moderate portions, and avoid unnecessary carbs from sides and sauces. Enjoy Jet’s cauliflower pizza occasionally along with other fresh low-carb foods for best results with keto dieting. This lets you participate in pizza night or satisfy an occasional pizza craving without kicking yourself out of ketosis.