Summer is upon us, which means it’s time to fire up the backyard BBQ for some delicious pizza. But before you start slapping toppings on your favorite dough, you may be wondering: what is a gluten-free pizza?
Sure, you’ve probably heard of gluten-free diets, but is there such a thing as a gluten-free pizza? The short answer is yes, there is no reason to miss out on pizza night if you’re on a gluten-free diet.
What is Gluten?
Before we dive into gluten-free pizza, let’s talk a little bit about gluten. Gluten is a type of protein found in grains like wheat, rye, and barley. It’s also found in a lot of processed foods and even in some beers and ales. For those with an intolerance or allergy to gluten, it’s important to avoid wheat and other gluten-containing ingredients.
What Is A Gluten Free Pizza?
A gluten-free pizza is a pizza that is made without any wheat or other gluten-containing ingredients. This includes crust, sauce, cheese, and toppings. While traditional pizzas are made with wheat flour, gluten-free pizzas are made with other gluten-free flour like rice, potato, or sorghum. The toppings are usually things like veggies, meat, or dairy products, as long as they don’t have any gluten-containing ingredients in them.
Can You Make A Gluten-Free Pizza At Home?
Making a gluten-free pizza at home is actually quite easy. All you need is the right ingredients and a little bit of time. Most gluten-free flours can easily be swapped for wheat flour in any pizza recipe. Additionally, you can use store-bought gluten-free pizza dough or crusts to save some time.
There’s no reason to miss out on pizza night if you’re on a gluten-free diet. With a little bit of experimentation and tweaking, you can easily make a delicious gluten-free pizza at home. Whether you’re a pro or just getting started, you can enjoy the same delicious pizza as everyone else. All it takes is a little creativity and the right ingredients.
Photo by Shourav Sheikh on Unsplash
Is gluten free pizza less calories than regular?
Well, it turns out the answer is yes and no. It really depends on what type of pizza style you’re talking about. If you’re comparing a traditional deep dish pizza with a gluten-free crust, then yes there are likely to be fewer calories. This is mainly because gluten-free pizza crusts are generally much thinner than their more traditional counterparts, making them lower in calories.
It also depends on the toppings. Gluten-free pizzas usually don’t come loaded with extra cheese, pepperoni, and sausage-like regular pizzas, so they will likely be lower in calories overall.
However, if you start loading up your gluten-free pizza, you’ll find that it can get just as caloric as regular pizza. No matter the type you choose, if you’re really watching your caloric intake, opt for thinner crusts and fresh veggies as toppings.
Gluten-free pizza may also be lower in carbohydrates and fats. Again, this all depends on what type and how much you’re eating. Generally speaking, gluten-free pizza is generally lower in these ingredients due to the thinner and lighter ingredients used for the crust.
Also, most gluten-free pizzas are still going to have a relatively high amount of fat due to the fact that they commonly contain a lot of cheese.
Overall, eating gluten-free pizza is not a guarantee of a healthier diet. While it’s true that it may contain fewer calories, carbohydrates, and fat than regular pizza, it still has to be eaten in moderation. If you’re really watching your health, the best thing to do is to opt for the thinner crusts and top them with fresh vegetables instead of all the high-calorie additives.
So if you want to still enjoy a slice of pizza without blowing your diet, go ahead and give gluten-free pizza a try. Just be sure to watch what types of crust and toppings you’re putting on your pizza to make sure it’s still a healthier choice than regular pizza.
