Gluten-Free And Keto: Is Papa John's Crust Friendly?

Papa John's offers a gluten-free crust option for its pizzas. However, it is important to note that gluten-free does not necessarily mean keto-friendly. The gluten-free crust option at Papa John's contains carbohydrates, which may not align with a strict ketogenic diet. To determine if the gluten-free crust is suitable for your dietary needs, it is recommended to review the nutritional information provided by Papa John's or consult with a nutritionist for personalized advice.

Crustless pizza bowls

Papa John's Crustless Pizza Bowls are a keto-friendly option for those who want to enjoy pizza without the carbs. The bowls contain all the tasty parts of a pizza—the veggies, meats, cheese, and sauces—minus the crust. They are served in a takeout container, making them convenient for those on the go.

Flavors

Papa John's crustless pizza bowls come in three flavors:

• Italian Meats Trio: This bowl is packed with pepperoni, sausage, and meatballs, along with veggies and cheeses.
• Chicken Alfredo: This option features a generous amount of alfredo and garlic parmesan sauce, along with chicken, spinach, tomatoes, onions, mushrooms, and a blend of cheeses.
• Garden Veggie: This vegetarian option includes spinach, mushrooms, onions, green peppers, tomatoes, signature pizza sauce, garlic parmesan, and melted cheese.

In addition to these signature bowls, Papa John's also offers a create-your-own option, allowing customers to choose their favorite toppings, sauces, and cheese blends.

Nutritional Information

According to Papa John's nutrition facts, the sauces used in the Papa Bowls are relatively low in net carbs (1g net carb for tomato sauce and 0g net carbs for alfredo sauce). However, the amount of sauce used in each bowl may vary, and the final macros are not yet available.

The Italian Meats Trio Papa Bowl contains 880 calories, while the Chicken Alfredo and Garden Veggie bowls are lower in calories, at 570 and 380 calories, respectively.

Customer Reviews

Customer reviews for the Papa John's Crustless Pizza Bowls are mixed. Some customers report that the bowls kicked them out of ketosis, while others found them to be a satisfying and delicious option that helped them stay in ketosis. There are also concerns about the amount of sauce used and added sugars, which may affect ketosis.

Preparation Tips

When ordering Papa John's Crustless Pizza Bowls, customers can consider requesting less sauce or no sauce at all if they are concerned about the carb count. Additionally, splitting the bowl into two servings can help manage calorie and carb intake.

Papa John's gluten-free options

Papa John's offers a variety of gluten-free options for customers who are following a gluten-free or keto diet. Here are some of the gluten-free choices available:

Crustless Pizza Bowls:

Papa John's Crustless Pizza Bowls, also known as Papa Bowls, are a popular choice for those on a gluten-free or keto diet. These bowls include all your favourite pizza toppings, such as veggies, meats, cheese, and sauces, minus the crust. Papa John's offers three varieties:

• Chicken Alfredo: This bowl features chicken, alfredo and garlic parmesan sauces, spinach, mushrooms, onions, tomatoes, and a three-cheese blend.
• Italian Meats Trio: Packed with Italian sausage, pepperoni, meatballs, veggies, and three types of cheese.
• Garden Veggie: A vegetarian option with spinach, mushrooms, onions, green peppers, tomatoes, banana peppers, cheese, and pizza sauce.

The Chicken Alfredo bowl is the lowest in carbs, with 9 grams of net carbs per bowl, while the Garden Veggie bowl has 15 grams, and the Italian Meats Trio has 18 grams. Keep in mind that Papa Bowls are not gluten-free due to the Italian seasoning used, which contains gluten.

Pizza Toppings:

If you're ordering a pizza, here are some gluten-free and keto-friendly toppings you can choose:

• Spicy Italian sausage
• Spinach
• Green peppers
• Mushrooms
• Olives
• Bacon
• Anchovies
• Banana peppers

Other Gluten-Free Options:

In addition to the pizza bowls and toppings, Papa John's offers a variety of other gluten-free options, including:

• Three Cheese Blend - Gluten-Free: This blend has 0g net carbs.
• Steak - Gluten-Free: With 0g net carbs, this is a great gluten-free option.
• Spinach - Original Crust - Small: Enjoy spinach on your pizza with 0g net carbs.
• Coffee: Both the 16 oz and 20 oz coffee options have 0g net carbs.
• Wild Cherry Pepsi - Diet, 2-liter: This drink option has 0g net carbs.
• Pepsi Zero Sugar - 2-liter: Go for this Pepsi option with 0g net carbs.
• Diet Pepsi Max - 20 oz: Another drink choice with 0g net carbs.
• Diet Seven Up - 20 oz: A refreshing option with 0g net carbs.

While Papa John's offers these gluten-free choices, it's always a good idea to check the ingredients and nutritional information to ensure they fit your dietary needs.

Keto-friendly drinks at Papa John's

While Papa John's does not offer a wide range of keto-friendly drinks, there are a few options available. Here are some suggestions for keto-friendly drinks to pair with your low-carb meal:

• Diet Mountain Dew
• Diet Wild Cherry Pepsi
• Pepsi Zero Sugar
• Rockstar Sugar-free
• Lipton Pureleaf Unsweet Tea
• Lipton Purleaf Diet Peach Tea
• Lipton Pureleaf Diet Lemon Tea
• Montellier Sparkling Water
• Aquafina Raspberry

These drinks are good choices if you are on a keto diet as they contain zero or very few carbohydrates. However, it is important to note that some of these drinks may contain artificial sweeteners, which some people choose to limit or avoid while on a keto diet.

In addition to these drink options, Papa John's also offers a variety of keto-friendly food options, such as crustless pizzas, chicken wings, and pizza bowls. These options allow you to enjoy your favourite flavours while adhering to your dietary restrictions.

Low-carb pizza toppings

If you're craving pizza but want to stick to a low-carb diet, there are plenty of tasty toppings you can choose that won't blow your carb count. Here are some ideas to get you inspired:

Meats

Meats are a great source of protein and can be a delicious addition to your pizza. Here are some options:

• Pepperoni
• Ham
• Sausage
• Bacon
• Shredded chicken
• Ground beef
• Anchovies
• Grilled chicken
• Rotisserie chicken
• Spicy Italian sausage

Vegetables

Veggies add a nutritious and colourful kick to your pizza. Go for options like:

• Olives
• Mushrooms
• Onions
• Artichokes
• Green bell peppers
• Cherry tomatoes
• Pickled jalapeños
• Broccoli
• Spinach
• Green peppers
• Banana peppers

Cheese

Who doesn't love extra cheese? Pile on these cheesy options:

• Shredded cheddar
• Mozzarella
• Goat cheese
• Blue cheese
• Feta cheese
• Parmesan
• Mexican-blend cheese
• Sharp or medium cheddar cheese

Sauces

No pizza is complete without a tasty sauce. Try these low-carb options:

• Tomato paste
• Sour cream
• Crème fraîche
• Sun-dried tomato pesto
• Green pesto
• Salsa sauce
• Spinach Alfredo sauce

Herbs

Add a flavour boost with some fresh or dried herbs:

• Oregano
• Rosemary
• Basil
• Thyme

With these toppings, you can create delicious low-carb pizzas that won't leave you feeling like you're missing out. Enjoy experimenting with different combinations and remember to keep an eye on your total carb intake, especially when adding sauces and higher-carb veggies.

Papa John's keto-friendly salads

Salads are a great option for those on a keto diet, and Papa John's offers a few ways to get your fix. While the pizza chain doesn't have any premade salads on its menu, it does offer a range of ingredients that can be used to make a salad. Ask for a bed of lettuce, and top it with meat, cheese, and bacon. You could also add avocado if they have it, and squeeze some lemon over the top. If you're ordering online, you can add a side salad to your basket and then add extra toppings to it. Get two side salads and pile on the toppings to make a more filling meal.

If you're dining in, ask the staff to leave off the croutons and dressing, and add oil and vinegar or lemon juice instead. If you're ordering for delivery, it's probably best to go for a crustless pizza or unsauced wings and scrape the toppings off the pizza to add to your salad.

Papa John's has a nutrition calculator on its website, so you can work out the exact macros of your meal.

Frequently asked questions