Is Against the grain pepperoni pizza Keto?

The Ingredient Breakdown

As a food scientist, looking at the label of Against the grain pepperoni pizza reveals a specific strategy: removing wheat gluten and replacing it with other binders. The primary ingredient in the crust is Tapioca Starch. While this creates a chewy texture similar to gluten, it is a pure carbohydrate. On a Keto diet, tapioca starch is a major red flag because it digests quickly into glucose, raising insulin levels and knocking the body out of ketosis.

The Uncured Pepperoni is another area of concern for strict Keto followers. The ingredient list explicitly states it contains sugar. In processed meats, sugar is often used to feed the curing bacteria or balance the saltiness. Even small amounts of added sugar contribute to your daily net carb limit, and in Keto, every gram counts.

Finally, the cheese blend (Cheddar, Mozzarella, Parmesan) and the tomato puree are generally acceptable on Keto. However, the Tomato Puree naturally contains natural sugars (fructose). While tomatoes are allowed in moderation, concentrated puree adds up quickly. When you combine the concentrated starch of the crust with the sugar in the pepperoni and the natural sugars in the sauce, the total carbohydrate load is simply too high for a ketogenic macro profile.

Nutritional Value

From a nutritional standpoint, this pizza is a paradox. It is certainly lower in carbohydrates than a standard Domino's or Pizza Hut slice, but Keto requires a very low threshold—usually under 20g to 30g of net carbs per day. A single serving of this pizza can easily consume a significant portion of that allowance.

The fat content is moderate, largely derived from the olive oil and cheeses. However, Keto is not just about eating fat; it is about maintaining a specific ratio of fat to protein and carbohydrates. Because the carb count is elevated due to the crust base, the macronutrient profile does not align with the metabolic requirements of ketosis. If you are tracking macros, you will likely see a spike in your glucose levels after consuming this, which is the exact opposite of what you want on this diet.