Marco’s Pizza is a popular pizza chain that offers a variety of crust options, including a lower carb “Cauliflower crust” for people looking to reduce their carb intake. For those monitoring their carbohydrate consumption, it’s important to know how many carbs are in Marco’s crustless pizza.
In this article, we will provide a detailed breakdown of the carb count in Marco’s cauliflower crust pizza. We will look at the nutrition information for different crustless pizza varieties on their menu and summarize the average carb content. Whether you are on a low-carb, keto, or diabetic diet, this guide will help you determine if Marco’s crustless pizza can fit into your meal plan.
Nutrition Info for Marco’s Cauliflower Crust
All of Marco’s cauliflower crust pizzas are made using the same cauliflower-based dough. Here are the basic nutrition facts for their cauliflower pizza crust:
| Serving Size | Calories | Total Fat | Carbs | Fiber | Net Carbs | Protein |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/6 crust (71g) | 80 | 3g | 10g | 2g | 8g | 3g |
For 1/6 of a cauliflower pizza crust (71g), there are:
– 80 calories
– 3g fat
– 10g total carbs
– 2g fiber
– 8g net carbs
– 3g protein
The key number to look at is the net carbs, which account for the fiber content. Since fiber does not impact blood sugar, we can subtract it from the total carbs to get 8g net carbs per pizza slice.
Carb Counts for Marco’s Crustless Pizza Varieties
Marco’s offers cauliflower crust as an option for most pizzas on their regular menu. Here is the carb count for some of their most popular crustless pizza varieties:
Pepperoni Magnifico
| Serving Size | Total Carbs | Net Carbs |
|---|---|---|
| 1 slice (107g) | 13g | 9g |
| 1/2 pizza (214g) | 27g | 19g |
| 1 whole pizza (428g) | 53g | 37g |
Pepperoni Magnifico with cauliflower crust has 9g net carbs per slice, 19g in half a pizza, and 37g in a whole 12-inch pizza.
The White Cheezy
| Serving Size | Total Carbs | Net Carbs |
|---|---|---|
| 1 slice (112g) | 14g | 10g |
| 1/2 pizza (224g) | 29g | 21g |
| 1 whole pizza (448g) | 57g | 41g |
The White Cheezy crustless pizza has 10g net carbs in one slice, 21g in half a pizza, and 41g net carbs in a whole pizza.
BBQ Chickzilla
| Serving Size | Total Carbs | Net Carbs |
|---|---|---|
| 1 slice (114g) | 15g | 11g |
| 1/2 pizza (227g) | 29g | 21g |
| 1 whole pizza (454g) | 58g | 42g |
The BBQ Chickzilla contains 11g net carbs per slice, 21g in half a pizza, and 42g in a full pizza with cauliflower crust.
Garden Veggie
| Serving Size | Total Carbs | Net Carbs |
|---|---|---|
| 1 slice (116g) | 16g | 12g |
| 1/2 pizza (232g) | 32g | 24g |
| 1 whole pizza (464g) | 65g | 49g |
The vegetable-loaded Garden Veggie pizza has 12g net carbs per slice, 24g in half a pizza, and 49g in a whole cauliflower crust pizza.
Lowest Carb Marco’s Crustless Pizza Options
Based on the nutrition data, these Marco’s cauliflower crust pizzas have the lowest net carb counts:
| Pizza Variety | Net Carbs (1 slice) |
|---|---|
| Pepperoni Magnifico | 9g |
| The White Cheezy | 10g |
| BBQ Chickzilla | 11g |
The Pepperoni Magnifico has the lowest carb count per slice at 9g net carbs. The White Cheezy and BBQ Chickzilla are close behind with 10g and 11g net carbs respectively.
These can fit into a keto diet plan, which typically allows 20-50g net carbs per day. Those limiting carbs to 50-130g daily, like in a diabetic or low-carb diet, can also work these crustless pizza options into their meal plan.
Highest Carb Marco’s Cauliflower Crust Pizzas
On the higher end of the carb range, these crustless pizzas from Marco’s have the most net carbs per slice:
| Pizza Variety | Net Carbs (1 slice) |
|---|---|
| Garden Veggie | 12g |
| Margherita | 13g |
| Spicy Giardiniera | 13g |
The veggie-based Garden Veggie has 12g net carbs, while the Margherita and Spicy Giardiniera have 13g per slice.
Those following a stricter ketogenic diet under 20g daily carbs or a specific carb limit may need to limit themselves to 1 slice or order the lower carb crustless options at Marco’s. You can further reduce carbs by removing high-carb toppings like peppers, onions or pineapple.
Tips for Ordering Low-Carb Marco’s Pizza
Here are some tips to reduce carbs when ordering Marco’s crustless pizza:
– Choose lower carb meat toppings like pepperoni, chicken, bacon or sausage
– Limit higher carb vegetables toppings like onions, tomatoes and peppers
– Avoid sweet toppings like pineapple, mandarin oranges or sweet sauce drizzles
– Order a smaller pizza or thin crust to reduce overall carbs
– Stick to 1-2 slices of higher carb pizzas
– Round out meal with a low-carb salad instead of garlic bread or dessert
Does Marco’s Cauliflower Crust Taste Good?
Most people are pleased with the taste of Marco’s cauliflower pizza crust. It has a nice flavor from olive oil, Parmesan cheese, and seasonings baked right in. The texture is tender on the inside with a crisp, golden exterior.
Some key benefits of Marco’s crustless pizza include:
– Flavorful cauliflower base with Italian seasoning
– Crisp, thin crust that holds toppings well
– Cheese baked into the edges for extra flavor
– Less mushy than a raw cauliflower crust
– Texture similar to thin, regular pizza dough
The crust lacks the chewiness of traditional pizza crust. But overall it offers a tasty, low-carb pizza experience for those monitoring their carb intake.
Is Marco’s Cauliflower Pizza Keto-Friendly?
Marco’s crustless pizza can fit into a keto diet when ordered with low-carb toppings. Keto dieters can enjoy 1-2 slices of the 9-11g net carb pizzas like Pepperoni Magnifico or BBQ Chickzilla.
A complete keto-friendly Marco’s pizza order might look like:
– Cauliflower crust
– Pepperoni, chicken or sausage meat
– Low-carb veggies like mushrooms, spinach, or jalapenos
– Reduced sugar pizza sauce
– Sprinkle of parmesan cheese
This builds a delicious pizza within the carb limits of the keto diet, usually under 20-50g daily net carbs.
Is Marco’s Low-Carb Pizza Good for Diabetics?
Marco’s cauliflower crust pizza can work for some diabetics actively managing their blood sugar levels and carb intake. The lower net carb counts allow diabetics to incorporate it into a moderate carb meal plan.
Some tips for diabetics ordering Marco’s crustless pizza include:
– Stick to 1 slice of the lower carb pizzas
– Pair it with a salad or non-starchy veggies
– Avoid sugary drinks like juice or soda
– Check glucose before and 2 hours after eating to see response
– Take any needed medication as prescribed before eating
– Utilize insulin if needed to cover the carbs consumed
Overall the crustless pizzas at Marco’s provide a tasty, Italian-style pizza option for many diabetics looking for variety within their carb limits. It offers a nice break from the typical low-carb chicken and broccoli dinner.
Is Marco’s Cauliflower Pizza Healthy?
Marco’s cauliflower crust pizza can be a healthier option compared to regular pizza. Benefits include:
– Fewer carbs and calories than regular crust
– More fiber from the cauliflower base
– Vegetable-based instead of refined carbs
– No added sugar in the crust
– Lower fat than many meat or deep dish pizzas
However, pizza toppings can still make it unhealthy. Loading up veggies is healthier than piles of fatty meats and sodium-rich sauces. Opting for thin crust over pan or deep dish also reduces calories.
Overall, enjoyed in moderation, Marco’s cauliflower crust pizza provides a more nutritious alternative to typical pizza.
Cost of Marco’s Cauliflower Crust Pizza
Adding cauliflower crust to your pizza costs extra at Marco’s Pizza:
– 10-inch cauliflower crust: $2.50
– 12-inch cauliflower crust: $3.50
– 14-inch cauliflower crust: $4.50
So a 12-inch cauliflower crust pizza would be around $3.50 more than a regular crust pizza of the same size before adding toppings.
The higher cost may be worth it for some to get a tasty pizza with fewer carbs and calories. But it still comes out cheaper than some other cauliflower crust pizzas costing $10-$14 for a 12-inch pizza at grocery stores.
Coupons and promo deals that include crustless pizzas can help offset the price at Marco’s.
Marco’s vs. Caulipower Pizza
Caulipower is another brand offering cauliflower-based crust pizzas in grocery stores. Here’s how Marco’s and Caulipower crustless pizzas compare:
| Marco’s | Caulipower | |
|---|---|---|
| Net Carbs (1/3 pizza) | 10-13g | 13-25g |
| Crust Ingredients | Cauliflower, cheese, eggs, spices | Cauliflower, eggs, cheese, potato starch |
| Availability | Marco’s Pizza locations | Grocery store freezer aisle |
| Cost | $2.50-$4.50 extra per pizza | $8.99-$10.99 for 12″ pizza |
The biggest differences are that Marco’s offers more competitively priced crustless pizzas with slightly lower average net carbs. But Caulipower provides the convenience of enjoying these pizzas at home.
Low-Carb Pizza Crust Alternatives
Beyond cauliflower crust, some other low-carb alternatives for pizza crust include:
Chicken Crust
Shredded chicken can be pressed into a pizza crust or used as the base layer instead of dough. Each 2 oz chicken serving has 0g net carbs.
Fathead Dough
This pizza dough replacement combines mozzarella cheese, almond flour, and eggs for a crust with about 3g net carbs per 2 oz.
Ground Beef Crust
Cooked ground beef can be shaped into a crust for unique pizza flavor with around 2g net carbs for a 2 oz patty.
Portabella Mushroom Caps
Mushroom caps roasted until tender can replace pizza crust, providing about 5g net carbs each.
Cauliflower Rice Crust
Grating raw cauliflower into rice provides a low-carb base with 6g net carbs in 2 oz.
Is Cauliflower Crust Actually Healthy?
While cauliflower crust is lower in carbs than regular pizza dough, some drawbacks to consider include:
– Still processed and high in calories if overeating
– Often includes fillers like cheese or eggs to hold it together
– Can cause bloating or digestion issues for some
– Not whole food, nutrient dense option
– Lacks fiber of other veggies if not eating the toppings
Portion control remains key, even when choosing a low-carb crust option. Overdoing cauliflower crust pizza could still lead to weight gain or other health issues.
For optimal health, veggies and fiber-rich carbs are encouraged as part of an overall balanced diet. But cauliflower crust can provide an occasional treat for those monitoring their carb intake.
Conclusion
Marco’s Pizza offers a tasty cauliflower crust, lowering the carbs in their pizzas to 9-13g net carbs per slice. Their crustless pizzas can fit into a low-carb, keto, or diabetic eating pattern when ordered with care. While not the healthiest option everyday, their cauliflower base makes pizza more accessible to those limiting carbs or gluten. Balance and moderation remains key to healthy eating, even when enjoying the occasional slice of Marco’s crustless pizza.
