Jon,
I started the Ketogenic way of life and intermittent fasting over a year ago. I do extended fasting as well. Have lost 50-55 pounds during that time. And, I love pizza too. But I don’t love it enough to undo all the health benefits I’ve gained while disciplining myself not to eat regular pizza. Instead, I found a great alternative that can be modified to suit your own personal tastes. It freezes well, so you can make a bunch, slice and freeze individual servings. Even if you’re not a fabulous home-cook, this is still super easy.
This work-around is fantastic, and you won’t feel the least bit deprived. Get out a mixing bowl, an 11 by14 sheet pan, some parchment paper - and crank the oven to 400f. Spread the paper to cover the sheet pan. Grab these items:
2 cups shredded cheddar
2 cups shredded mozzerela
3 eggs
1tsp garlic powder
1T Italian seasonings.
Mix all of those ingredients into a big gloppy mess, and spread evenly across the parchment-lined pan. Bake for around 15 min-20min until the edges start to brown. This is your new “crust”.
While the crust is baking, gather your toppings- whatever you like. I usually go with some or all of the following:
turkey sausage crumbled, sundried tomatoes, olives, onions, banana peppers, roasted red peppers, fresh basil…really whatever you normally like on pizza.
Heat the toppings up in pan and set aside.
Take your crust out of the oven, but leave the oven on. You’ll need it in a minute.
Take about 1/3 - 1/2ciup of pizza sauce - and for this you need to find one that contains the lowest amount of carbs with no added sugar. (The Walmart brand is fine, but our local grocer had one that tasted better - just search those out and find one that you can live with.) Spread the sauce all over the pizza crust. Spread out your heated toppings across the pizza. Sprinkle with more shredded mozzerela, and return it to the oven for 3-5 min until the cheese is all gooey.
Remove, cut, and enjoy.
Because my diet is primarily carnivore now, I consider this pizza to be a “treat” or “cheat” nowadays. Its not off the Keto plan, but, with all the veggies, I can’t really call it carnivore. It a good substitute when pizza becomes a craving. Just try it and see what you think.
Not sure if you’re open to trying your hand at cooking, but if you can bring yourself to try something new - then - perhaps you can learn to make some new Keto-friendly foods so you won’t have “cheat” and undo all the progress you’ve acheived. HTH.