Is Original thin crust supreme pizza Keto?

The Ingredient Breakdown

As a food scientist, I look past the marketing claims and dive straight into the formulation. The Keto diet relies on keeping carbohydrate intake extremely low, typically under 20-50 grams per day, to maintain a state of fat burning. Unfortunately, the Original thin crust supreme pizza is formulated with ingredients that are the antithesis of this goal.

The primary offender is the crust itself. It is made from enriched wheat and malted barley flour. Wheat is a grain that is almost pure starch (carbohydrate). Malted barley is often used in baking to speed up fermentation and add flavor, but it contributes to the overall glycemic load. There is no way to make a traditional wheat crust low enough in carbs to fit a Keto lifestyle.

Furthermore, the ingredient list reveals sugar and dextrose. Sugar is a simple carbohydrate that causes an immediate insulin response. Dextrose is a form of glucose derived from corn or wheat and is often used as a yeast food or flavor enhancer in processed meats and sauces. Even small amounts of added sugar can be enough to disrupt the metabolic state of ketosis.

We also see modified cornstarch in the sauce or toppings. Cornstarch is a thickening agent derived from corn, which is a high-carb vegetable. While used in small quantities, it adds to the cumulative carbohydrate count. Additionally, the presence of textured soy protein concentrate indicates a highly processed meat topping, which often contains fillers that can include hidden carbs.

Finally, the l-cysteine listed is typically derived from duck feathers or human hair and is used as a dough conditioner. While biologically insignificant in terms of carbs, its presence highlights the highly processed nature of the crust, which is generally something Keto dieters try to avoid.

Nutritional Value

From a nutritional standpoint, this pizza is a calorie-dense, high-glycemic food. Even though it is a 'thin crust,' the combination of enriched wheat flour and sugar ensures that the net carbohydrate count per slice is likely too high for a Keto diet. A standard serving of a supreme pizza usually contains anywhere from 25 to 40 grams of carbohydrates. When you consider that a strict Keto diet limits you to roughly 20 grams of carbs for the entire day, eating just two slices of this pizza would immediately exceed your limit.

The fat content comes from the mozzarella cheese and the cooked pork fat and beef fat in the meat toppings. While Keto is a high-fat diet, the source of fat matters. The fats here are combined with high carbohydrates, which creates an insulin-spiking combination that promotes fat storage rather than fat burning. Therefore, despite the high fat content, the nutritional profile is incompatible with the metabolic goals of ketosis.