Donald Trump’s habit of scraping toppings off pizza and skipping the crust has drawn public curiosity—and raised eyebrows over the health logic behind it.
At a Glance
- Trump often eats pizza with a fork and knife, discarding the crust
- He claims this method helps manage his weight
- Nutritionists question the health benefits of skipping only the crust
- Trump has occasionally been seen eating the crust, contradicting his stated habit
- He starred in a 1995 Pizza Hut ad promoting stuffed crust pizza
A Crustless Presidential Quirk
Donald Trump’s unconventional approach to pizza made headlines once again after resurfaced interviews and appearances showed him using a knife and fork to remove toppings, leaving the crust behind. “This way, you can take the top of the pizza off the crust,” Trump explained in a 2010 Us Weekly interview, later echoed during a joint outing with Sarah Palin in 2011. He believes this tactic helps him avoid the carbs and calories packed in the dough, as reported by Newsbreak.
Watch the viral moment of Trump’s pizza method at Downtown House of Pizza Visit – WINK News.
Trump’s method aligns with other dietary quirks—he’s also known to eat burgers with only half the bun. However, while his logic may sound carb-conscious, nutritionists argue that pizza toppings often contain high-fat cheeses and processed meats, meaning cutting the crust alone doesn’t offer substantial calorie savings.
Consistency Optional
Though Trump frequently touts his no-crust philosophy, he doesn’t always stick to it. During a 2023 campaign stop at Downtown House of Pizza in Fort Myers, he was filmed eating the crust, surprising even longtime observers of his habits. This inconsistency adds another layer of intrigue to a public figure known for tightly controlled messaging.
Back in 1995, Trump and his ex-wife Ivana appeared in a humorous commercial for Pizza Hut’s stuffed crust launch. The ad playfully referenced their divorce and featured Trump eating the pizza “backwards,” crust first—a striking contrast to his current stance, and one that helped normalize a product that many viewed as unconventional at the time. As noted by The Takeout, the commercial remains one of Pizza Hut’s most memorable campaigns.
Is Skipping the Crust Really Healthier?
While avoiding the crust may reduce some carbohydrates, most pizza calories come from toppings like cheese, sausage, and creamy sauces. As the Cleveland Clinic notes, if health is the goal, portion control and ingredient quality matter more than crust removal.
Homemade pizzas with lean proteins, vegetable toppings, and whole grain or cauliflower crusts offer a healthier alternative for those watching their diet. For low-carb adherents, keto-style pizzas—where cheese replaces the crust entirely—offer indulgence without the typical carb load.
Ultimately, Trump’s crust-cutting approach may say less about nutrition and more about control—his tendency to define the rules, even in dining. Whether the method holds health merit or not, it underscores his penchant for spectacle, even at the dinner table.
