CPK Keto Menu: How to Enjoy Pizza on a Low-Carb Diet

Is CPK Pizza Keto?

If you’re on a keto or low-carb diet, you might assume dining at California Pizza Kitchen (CPK) is a no-go. Yet, CPK has keto-friendly choices to indulge your cravings while sticking to your diet. With some know-how and prep, you can relish a tasty CPK keto meal without disrupting your goals.

When eating at CPK, it’s crucial to choose wisely based on your dietary requirements. Whether you fancy pizza, salads, or main dishes, CPK offers customizable options for your keto lifestyle. By knowing the nutrition details and making informed choices, you can enjoy a delicious meal while staying in ketosis.

In this comprehensive guide to the CPK keto menu, we’ll cover key highlights, essential tips for staying keto, decoding carbs in menus, top CPK keto-friendly dishes, customizing your keto experience, and more. 

Find the best low-carb options at CPK and enjoy a tasty meal while sticking to your keto goals!

Outside a California Pizza Kitchen restaurant
Outside a California Pizza Kitchen restaurant

Table of Contents

When following a keto diet, navigating a restaurant menu can be challenging. Fortunately, CPK offers several options that are suitable for a low-carb or ketogenic lifestyle. 

One of the highlights of California Pizza Kitchen menu is their cauliflower crust pizza, which is a great alternative to traditional high-carb pizza crust. 

Additionally, CPK has a variety of salads, main plates, and small plates & appetizers that can be customized to fit your low-carb needs. 

By understanding the menu and making smart choices, you can have a delicious and satisfying meal at CPK without compromising your keto goals.

Slicing a thin-crust cheese pizza
Slicing a thin-crust cheese pizza

Essential Tips for Keeping It Keto

When dining at California Pizza Kitchen on a keto diet, it’s important to keep a few essential tips in mind to ensure that you stay on track. Here are some tips to help you make keto-friendly choices at CPK:

Focus on net carbs

Focus on net carbs, not total carbs, in a dish. Net carbs = total carbs minus fiber, showing carbs affecting blood sugar levels. When checking CPK menu, note net carbs over total carbs. Choose low net carb, high-fiber dishes to manage carb intake for ketosis.

Opt for cauliflower pizza crust

CPK offers a cauliflower crust option for their pizza, which is lower in carbs compared to the regular crust. This allows you to enjoy a slice of pizza while keeping your carb intake in check.

Stick to keto-approved ingredients

Choose dishes that are made with keto-approved ingredients such as chicken, vegetables, and healthy fats like olive oil. Avoid dishes that contain high-carb ingredients like rice flour or sugary sauces.

By following these tips, you can enjoy a delicious meal at CPK while staying in ketosis and reaching your health goals.

Top CPK Keto Options

California Pizza Kitchen offers a variety of keto-friendly dishes that can be enjoyed while following a ketogenic diet. Here are some top keto-friendly options at CPK:

  • Cauliflower Crust Pizza: CPK’s cauliflower pizza offers a low-carb alternative to traditional pizza crust, letting you savor pizza flavors with reduced carb intake. Choose the original BBQ chicken pizza topping for a low-carb option.
  • Grilled Chicken Breast: Grilled chicken breast is a lean protein option that can be paired with a side salad or vegetables for a satisfying keto meal.
  • Oven-roasted Turkey & Brie Sandwich: Roasted turkey is another healthy lean protein perfectly paired with brie for a fat and protein-rich meal. Eliminate the bread to keep it low-carb.
  • Cedar Plank Salmon: CPK’s cedar plank salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and can be enjoyed with a side of steamed vegetables or a salad.

These dishes offer delicious flavors while keeping your carb intake in check, making them perfect choices for a keto-friendly meal at CPK.

CPK Keto Salads

Arugula salad with tomato and cheese
Arugula salad with tomato and cheese

CPK’s signature salads offer a range of keto-friendly choices that are flavorful and nutritious. Opt for oil and vinegar dressing over the house dressing. Check out these keto-friendly salads:

Arugula Salad: With Arugula, tomatoes, shaved Parmesan, and lemon vinaigrette, contains 6 grams of net carbs and 160 calories per serving.

Roasted Garlic Chicken Salad: With Romaine, roasted garlic chicken, Parmesan, focaccia croutons, and Caesar dressing, contains 10 grams of net carbs and 580 calories.

Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad: With Romaine, grilled chicken breast, Parmesan, Caesar dressing, contains 9 grams of net carbs and 530 calories.

Roasted Veggie Salad: With asparagus, artichoke hearts, and bell peppers, skip the corn and Dijon balsamic vinaigrette dressing, contains 10 grams of net carbs and 360 calories.

Italian Chopped Salad: Roasted turkey breast, julienned salami, garbanzo beans, tomatoes, Mozzarella, and fresh basil tossed in housemade mustard herb vinaigrette. Skip the garbanzo beans and mustard herb vinaigrette dressing.

These salads are not only low in carbs but also packed with nutrients and flavors that will satisfy your cravings while keeping you on track with your keto diet.

CPK Keto Main Plates 

Cedar planked salmon with lemon slices
Cedar planked salmon with lemon slices

If you’re looking for a satisfying and keto-friendly main course at CPK, there are a few options that you can choose from. Two popular choices among keto dieters are the Cedar Plank Salmon and the California Veggie.

The Cedar Plank Salmon is a delectable dish that features a grilled salmon fillet cooked on a cedar plank. It is served with a side of white corn and spinach succotash, which adds a burst of flavor and freshness to the dish. 

To make it keto-friendly, you can ask for the succotash to be substituted with steamed spinach or asparagus. The salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for heart health and inflammation reduction.

Another excellent choice is the California Veggie pizza. It features a cauliflower crust, a low-carb option compared to traditional pizza crust. Toppings include fresh grilled vegetables such as bell peppers, red onions, mushrooms, and olives, offering a tasty and fulfilling choice for those on a keto diet. Remember to avoid the corn topping to maintain low carb intake.

CPK Keto Small Plates & Appetizers

Homecooked shrimp scampi with pasta
Homecooked shrimp scampi with pasta

When it comes to small plates and appetizers, CPK offers delicious options that are low in carbs and perfect for keto dieters. A few popular choices are the lettuce wraps, tomato basil spaghetti, and spinach artichoke dip.

Lettuce wraps are a delicious low-carb choice for keto followers. They contain lettuce filled with a mix of chicken, mushrooms, water chestnuts, green onions, and sesame oil. Served with spicy ginger soy sauce on the side, providing extra flavor. If you prefer, you can request the sauce on the side or without for a more keto-friendly option.

For a keto-friendly appetizer, consider the petite wedge with oil and vinegar instead of blue cheese dressing. It features iceberg lettuce, bacon, tomatoes, and blue cheese crumbles. Opting for oil and vinegar reduces carbs while keeping the classic flavors intact.

Fresh avocado is another delicious option for those following a keto diet. It is served over grilled bread (which you can ask to be omitted) with sun-dried tomatoes, red onions, and cilantro. Avocados are high in healthy fats and low in carbs, making them a perfect snack or side dish for keto dieters.

Tomato Basil Bisque is a creamy and flavorful soup that is often a go-to for those on a keto diet. Made with heavy cream, fresh tomatoes, garlic, and basil, it’s a satisfying choice for a light lunch or dinner option.

Shrimp Scampi Zucchini is a keto version of the classic Italian dish. Zucchini ribbons sautĂ©ed with lemon, garlic, and white wine, mixed with fresh Italian parsley, Parmesan, and a bit of fettuccine. They serve as a low-carb substitute for pasta, cooked in butter and garlic, then topped with juicy shrimp. 

Customizing Your CPK Keto Meal

At California Pizza Kitchen, you can tailor your meal to your keto diet with choices like cauliflower crust and low-carb pizza toppings. Enjoy your favorite flavors minus the extra carbs!

The cauliflower crust is a top pick for low-carb or keto diets. It’s crafted from cauliflower, mozzarella cheese, and eggs, forming a flavorful, low-carb crust. You have the option to swap the regular crust for cauliflower on any CPK pizza. Enjoy tasty pizza while managing your carb intake.

Freshly baked margherita pizza
Freshly baked margherita pizza

How to Modify CPK Keto Pizza Order

If you’re a pizza lover on a low-carb or keto diet, you’ll be happy to know that you can still enjoy pizza at California Pizza Kitchen. 

For a low-carb option, switch to cauliflower pizza crust instead of the regular one. It’s made with cauliflower, mozzarella cheese, and eggs for a tasty, low-carb alternative. Add your favorite toppings like grilled chicken, veggies, or cheeses.

By opting for the cauliflower pizza crust, you can enjoy a delicious pizza while staying within your low-carb or keto dietary goals. CPK makes it easy to satisfy your pizza cravings while maintaining a low-carb lifestyle.

CPK Power Bowls

Power bowls are a great option for keto dieters as they are packed with nutrient-dense ingredients and are low in carbs. At CPK, you can find power bowls that are not only delicious but also keto-friendly.

CPK’s power bowls contain a mix of keto-friendly ingredients. They typically include greens like kale or spinach, paired with protein-rich options such as grilled chicken or salmon. Each bowl is completed with a drizzle of olive oil, providing beneficial monounsaturated fats.

With options like the Santa Fe Power Bowl or the Banh Mi Power Bowl, CPK offers a variety of power bowls that are satisfying and full of flavor. Packed with quinoa, spinach, fresh cilantro, and mint topped with grilled chicken, red cabbage, fresh avocado, cucumbers, carrots, bean sprouts, scallions, and sesame seeds.

CPK Keto Beverages

When it comes to beverages, it’s important to choose options that won’t break your ketosis. At CPK, there are a few keto-friendly beverage options to choose from.

If you’re on a keto diet, choose sugar-free drinks like unsweetened iced tea, sparkling water, or diet soda. They’re tasty and won’t mess up your low-carb plan.

Be mindful of sugary drinks like soda and fruit juices—they can sneak in a lot of carbs. Opt for sugar-free choices to stay refreshed without affecting your ketosis.

CPK Keto Drinks and Cocktails

If you’re in the mood for a drink or cocktail while dining at CPK, there are a few options that are keto-friendly. 

A popular option is the keto margarita, crafted with tequila, lime juice, and a sugar-free sweetener. It delivers the classic margarita taste minus the extra sugar and carbs. You can request it on the rocks or blended with ice for a cool variation.

Another choice is a keto-friendly mojito. It’s prepared with rum, lime juice, fresh mint leaves, and a sugar-free sweetener, offering a refreshing and tasty option for keto dieters.

These keto-friendly drinks and cocktails allow you to enjoy a beverage while staying true to your low-carb lifestyle.

Drinks to Avoid

While CPK has a few keto-friendly drinks, watch out for sugary pitfalls in other beverages. Drinks like soda or fruit juices are often loaded with sugar, which can throw off your low-carb or keto diet.

To stay on track, go for sugar-free options like unsweetened iced tea, sparkling water, or diet soda. They offer a refreshing drink without extra carbs and sugar.

Be sure to read the labels and ask about the ingredients if you’re unsure about the sugar content of a particular beverage. By being mindful of what you drink, you can avoid sugary traps and maintain your keto lifestyle.

High-Carb Foods to Avoid at CPK

While CPK offers a variety of keto-friendly options, there are also high-carb foods that you should steer clear of if you’re following a low-carb or keto diet.

Certain high-carb foods to steer clear of at CPK are gluten-containing ingredients such as regular pizza crust, pasta dishes, and breaded items. These foods pack a carb punch and can easily hike up your daily carb intake.

Another high-carb culprit is fries. While they may be tempting, they are not suitable for a low-carb or keto diet due to their high starch content. Avoid the black bean salsa and tangy lime crema.

By being mindful of these high-carb foods, you can make choices that align with your low-carb or keto lifestyle and stay on track with your dietary goals.

CPK Keto FAQs

Can I Eat CPK Pizza on a Keto Diet?

Yes, you can enjoy pizza at CPK while following a keto diet. CPK offers a gluten-free crust option that is low in carbs and perfect for those on a low-carb or keto diet.

What Are the Best CPK Keto Low-Carb Options?

Some of the best low-carb options for a keto dieter at CPK include the arugula salad, roasted garlic chicken salad, cedar plank salmon, and California veggie pizza with cauliflower crust.

Final Thoughts on CPK Keto Menu

In a world full of tempting menu options, navigating the CPK keto menu can be a breeze with our ultimate guide. From signature keto salads to power bowls and low-carb pizza modifications, we’ve got you covered. 

Stay on track with your keto goals by choosing wisely and customizing your CPK experience. Remember, it’s not just about what you eat; it’s how you eat that matters. 

So, sip on keto-friendly drinks, avoid sugary traps, and revel in a satisfying meal without breaking ketosis. Happy dining, keto warriors!

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