Embarking on a keto diet doesn't mean you have to give up all your favorite foods. Thanks to restaurants like Blaze Pizza offering low-carb options, sticking to your diet while enjoying a night out is easier than ever. Blaze Pizza has become one of the first nationwide chains to offer a menu item specifically for keto dieters. This article dives into everything you need to know about Blaze Pizza's keto crust, its ingredients, taste, nutritional information, and how it fits into a ketogenic lifestyle.
What is the Blaze Keto Crust Made Of?
The keto crust at Blaze is crafted with a blend of ingredients designed to minimize carbs while maintaining a pizza-like experience. The primary components include:
- Cauliflower Rice
- Low-Moisture Mozzarella Cheese (Pasteurized Milk, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Enzymes)
- Casein Protein
- Flaxseed
- Eggs
- Whey Protein
- Yeast
- Spices
- Cultured Brown Rice
Many keto dieters might be wary of "rice flour" or "brown rice" in the ingredient list. It’s important to remember that all carbs, whether from spinach or brown rice, affect ketosis in the same way. The key is to count the carbs from the Blaze keto crust just as you would with any other meal.
A pro tip for analyzing ingredient lists: the order of ingredients indicates the quantity used. In the keto crust, brown rice is listed after yeast and spices, suggesting it's used in a relatively small amount.
Ordering and Customization
Ordering at Blaze Pizza is straightforward, whether you're doing it in person or online. The process starts with choosing a crust, and the keto crust is readily available. When ordering online and selecting the keto pizza, it automatically populates with specific topping options. However, don't feel limited by these suggestions. You can customize your pizza to your liking by adding or removing toppings.
Read also: Low-Carb Pizza Options
The Keto Pizza automatically comes with Spicy Red Sauce, Mozzarella, Bacon, Cherry Tomatoes, Mushrooms, and Spinach. If you plan on getting creative with your order, customization is always an option.
Taste and Texture
The taste of the Blaze Keto Crust is a significant factor for those considering it as a low-carb alternative. While it may not perfectly replicate a traditional high-carb pizza, it offers a satisfying experience. One reviewer rated it a 7 out of 10, noting that the flavors were milder than a regular pizza, largely due to the crust's blandness.
The crust is very thin, with a milder flavor. Does it make a solid low-carb carrier for those delicious toppings? Yes it does!
To enhance the flavor, consider these modifications:
- Cheese: Opt for stronger-tasting cheeses to compensate for the crust's mildness.
- Sauce: The garlic pesto is a recommended choice for added flavor.
Despite its differences from a traditional crust, many find the Blaze Keto Crust to be a great low-carb carrier for toppings.
Read also: Low-carb taco pizza: a must-try!
Nutritional Information
Understanding the nutritional content is crucial for anyone following a ketogenic diet. For an entire 11-inch Keto Pizza, the approximate values are:
- Calories: 910
- Fat: 50g
- Protein: 83g
- Total Carbs: 25g
- Fiber: 10g
This leaves you with 15g net carbs for the entire pizza.
Blaze Pizza also provides an online nutritional calculator that allows you to add your selected crust, toppings, and finishes to calculate the precise nutritional information for your custom pizza. This tool is invaluable for making informed decisions about your toppings.
Gluten-Free Considerations
The Blaze Keto Crust is gluten-friendly, but it's essential to understand the nuances of gluten-free options. While the keto crust is a gluten-free option, gluten-free does not automatically mean carb-free! Blaze Pizza offers several gluten-free crust options, including a cauliflower crust and a gluten-free dough crust.
- Cauliflower Crust Ingredients: Starch, Water, Egg Whites, Rice Starch, Modified Food Starch, Yeast, Sugar, Salt, Cultured Brown Rice, Garlic Powder, Italian Seasoning, Xanthan Gum. This crust is gluten-free but contains dairy and eggs, making it unsuitable for vegans or those on a strict keto diet.
- Gluten-Free Dough Crust Ingredients: Gluten-Free Blend: Brown Rice Flour, Tapioca Flour, Sea Salt, Xanthan Gum, Guar Gum, Water, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and Yeast. This option is very allergen-free and relatively low in calories and carbs. The texture is similar to regular wheat-based dough.
Blaze Pizza’s goal in offering gluten-free options is to help pizza lovers minimize gluten consumption.
Read also: Low-Carb Pizza Guide
Keto vs. Other Dietary Options
Blaze Pizza caters to various dietary needs with its "Life Mode" line of pizzas, available through the app and online. These include Keto, Protein, Vegan, and Vegetarian options.
- Keto Pizza: Features spicy red sauce, mozzarella, bacon, cherry tomatoes, mushrooms, and spinach.
- Vegan Pizza: Plant-based, with vegan cheese and vegan chorizo, along with assorted vegetables.
- Vegetarian Pizza: Plant-forward, with a cauliflower crust and veggie toppings, but also includes mozzarella and ricotta.
- Protein Pizza: Topped with meatballs, ham, grilled chicken, and cheese.
Potential Drawbacks
Despite its appeal, there are a few potential drawbacks to consider:
- Availability: The keto Blaze pizza only comes in the personal size. If you plan on feeding the whole family, you’ll have to buy several pizzas or consider making homemade.
- Cross-Contamination: The chances of cross-contact with other ingredients are high. If you have severe allergies or dietary restrictions, don't hesitate to ask the staff about their preparation procedures.
- Macro Count: One reviewer noted that the macro percentages of their custom keto pizza did not align perfectly with strict keto formulas, although it didn't knock them out of ketosis.
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