Apart from his divisive decisions and infamous soundbites, Donald Trump’s daily diet is another frequently discussed subject concerning the current president of the United States. With the news of him recently inaugurating a pizza parlor at Trump Tower in New York City, people are reminded of one of Trump’s most unusual eating habits: he chooses to eat pizza without the crust.
“I scrape the toppings off my pizza — I never eat the dough,” Trump was quoted as saying in 2015 (Us Weekly). This curious choice is linked to another notable pizza-eating quirk of Trump’s: he enjoys using utensils to eat a slice. “[T]his way you can take the top of the pizza off […] the crust,” he reportedly explained in a now-unavailable video on his YouTube channel (Politico). “I like not to eat the crust so that we keep the weight down at least as good as possible.” (Read more about what Donald Trump’s annual physical exam reveals about his weight.)
While his “say no to dough” logic might seem reasonable, does it actually make sense from a health perspective? There’s more to pizza-related weight gain than just the crust, and simply avoiding the crust doesn’t necessarily mean you can sidestep the effects of consuming what’s on top of it.
Is pizza actually healthier without the crust?
What defines a “healthy” pizza, anyway? The concept of “healthy” often varies among individuals, typically depending on personal perceptions of health. Someone following a low-carb or keto diet, for example, might support Trump’s crustless choices, as they align with their dietary preferences. (Here’s what happens when you stop eating carbs.)
From a numerical standpoint, however, a slice of no-crust pizza is hardly a health food. For example, one slice of Little Caesar’s Three Meat No Crust Pizza contains 204 calories, 16 grams of fat (7 of which are saturated), and 1,500 milligrams of sodium (nearly half the daily recommended sodium intake for an average American adult). These values can vary based on ingredient choices, though a typical slice of low-carb cheese pizza might contain 278 calories, 561 milligrams of sodium, and 21 grams of fat (8 grams saturated).
Even without the carbs and calories from the crust, you’re left with a food linked to various health issues, including obesity, heart disease, high cholesterol, and kidney stones.
Ways to enjoy pizza and still be healthy
Whether with or without the crust, pizza isn’t typically the first choice for a healthy diet. However, this doesn’t mean pizza is inherently unhealthy or cannot be part of a balanced diet.
The key is to regulate your pizza consumption. As with any food, moderation is crucial. Limit your pizza intake to one or two slices and avoid making it a daily habit.
Consider making your own pizza instead of ordering from fast-food chains. This allows you to control the ingredients and preparation method. Generally, it’s wise to top your homemade pizza with lean meats, vegetables (like broccoli, spinach, and mushrooms), and fish instead of processed meats (such as bacon, pepperoni, or salami) found on store-bought pizzas, and to limit the sugar in the sauce or the amount of cheese used. You don’t even need to forgo the crust; simply choose a whole-grain base (or a keto-friendly one if you’re cutting back on carbs).
