As you’re hungrily searching, “food places near me open now,” why not try some vegan pizza? While not quite a classic pie, vegan pizza is still delicious and even offers some benefits. Of course, you may be wondering what you’re in for — after all, isn’t veganism all about green stuff? Actually, several aspects of vegan pizza aren’t far from the traditional recipe.

What Makes a Pizza Vegan?

Vegan diets don’t include any animal products, which means none of the following:

• Meat
• Dairy
• Eggs
• Fish
• Honey
• Lard
• Gelatin

Excluding these foods means many recipes have to be altered. Some people feel this makes vegan food not as tasty since there’s lower fat content. However, it’s all a matter of preference.

There aren’t any animal products used in traditional pizza dough or sauce, so those components remain exactly how you remember them. When it comes to cheese and toppings, however, a few adjustments need to be made.

Cheese

Cheese is a dairy product, which means it isn’t vegan. However, pizza isn’t really pizza without cheese. What do pizzerias use instead?

Some places use a cheese substitute that contains all the flavor and texture but none of the dairy. That way, you don’t have to say goodbye to stretchy mozzarella.

Toppings

There are plenty of naturally vegan toppings:

• Olives
• Onions
• Peppers
• Spinach
• Mushrooms

Pepperoni, sausage and hamburger, however, aren’t vegan. The good news is, many meat substitutes taste the same and can be used as toppings.

What Are the Calories in a Typical Vegan Pizza?

Pizza is a great food for parties because it’s very filling, but it’s also known to contain quite a few calories. Vegan pizza specials, however, are less fatty and have fewer calories than your average pepperoni pizza.

A slice of pepperoni pizza has about 300 calories. In contrast, a slice of vegan pizza has about 200. Of course, the specific number depends on what toppings you get, but vegan pizza tends to be better for weight-watching because there’s less fat.

Why Choose Vegan When Ordering Pizza?

Do you have to adhere to veganism to order vegan pizza? Actually, you don’t. Many people choose vegan options for certain foods without considering themselves vegan.

Ordering a vegan pizza doesn’t have to be the start of a lifestyle — it can just be a one-time choice. Of course, if you want to make the dietary switch, that’s great, too. There are many benefits to going vegan or just eating a vegan option every once in a while.

Health

If you’re on a diet, going vegan can help you limit your caloric intake. It may also encourage you to eat more vegetables.

Food Restrictions

Some people may choose vegan options because they’re lactose intolerant and want to avoid dairy. In this case, vegan pizza is a great choice because you still get the pizza experience without the digestive issues.

Are you hungry for something filling and familiar but not oozing grease? Then it’s time to order vegan pizza delivery. You can have a piping hot pie at your door in minutes. Remember, the sooner you call, the sooner you get to eat a delicious dinner.