Take any meals you like, make it out of cauliflower, and it’s magically wholesome. Or at the least that’s what most individuals take into consideration pizza. However is cauliflower pizza crust wholesome?
The worry of carb consumption has led to an explosion of inventive carb substitutes, cauliflower pizza crust being one in all many.
“Persons are so anti-carbohydrate and suppose white flour isn’t good for you. In order that they marvel, ‘How can we nonetheless eat pizza?,’” says Keri Gans, RDN, creator of The Small Change Weight-reduction plan. “[Cauliflower pizza crust] additionally has a well being halo as a result of it’s related to a vegetable.”
However look past that halo glow and test the labels. Then you’ll be able to actually see if cauliflower crust is best for you than common crust.
Is Cauliflower Pizza Crust Wholesome?
In comparison with common pizza crust, cauliflower crust does are inclined to have much less sodium. However if you dive into the opposite vitamin information, the outcomes aren’t completely in favor of the veggie substitute.
For comparability sake, we’ll have a look at a number of the best-selling pizza crust manufacturers, like Boboli and CAULIPOWER. The chart under exhibits how a number of the hottest common crust manufacturers stack up in comparison with cauliflower pizza crust manufacturers.
As you’ll be able to see, store-bought cauliflower pizza crust is a bit all over with regards to the vitamin information. Some cauliflower crust manufacturers are decrease in carbohydrates, however not all of them.
So should you don’t test the label, you might find yourself consuming simply as many carbs as a slice of white or entire wheat pizza crust. The identical goes for energy — cauliflower pizza crust isn’t at all times lighter.
And even whether it is, take into consideration how vital is it so that you can save, say, 40 energy (in regards to the quantity of half a small apple), particularly should you won’t benefit from the style as a lot, Gans says.
However what about fiber? Veggies are often brimming with fiber, proper?
Effectively… one cup of uncooked cauliflower has 2 grams of fiber, and a few cauliflower pizza crust has just one gram per serving. So on this case, entire wheat crust really gives extra fiber.
Lastly, protein-wise, entire wheat crust once more tends to be king. Nevertheless, some cauliflower pizza crust has a very good dose of protein if it accommodates eggs (just like the Cali’flower Meals choice within the chart above).
So what’s the primary takeaway right here? Learn the label. There’s a lot variance between manufacturers, you’ll be able to’t simply assume any and all cauliflower pizza crust is identical, and even more healthy than the common or entire wheat choices.
And with regards to particular components, some manufacturers add eggs and/or cheese to assist the cauliflower bind and add taste. So when you have any meals allergic reactions or comply with a specialised weight-reduction plan, you wish to be sure you know what you’re consuming.
Ought to You Purchase Cauliflower Pizza Crust?
“When it comes down it, what’s your purpose for selecting it?” Gans asks. Whether or not you hope to avoid wasting energy or lower carbs, otherwise you’re attempting to eat extra greens, you should definitely learn the vitamin information so you’ll be able to verify you’re attaining what you need.
It’s additionally vital to be be aware of the serving measurement and toppings, she provides, since that’s the opposite a part of the pizza image.
“You possibly can’t eat the entire pie, and you may’t throw all the opposite well being ‘tips’ out the window,” Gans says. “Are you constructing your pizza and making it a wholesome automobile for extra greens, or are you including processed meats like pepperoni and sausage?”
To make the healthiest pizza (no matter crust), she recommends selecting loads of greens, comparable to contemporary tomatoes, spinach, garlic, and artichoke hearts.
