

Just keep in mind that certain low carb pizzas, such as those advertised to people on keto diets, can be very high in calories because they’re typically much higher in fat than regular pizza. Plus, a crust made with almond flour or vegetables like cauliflower tends to be much lower in carbs than regular pizza, and it will affect your blood sugar less significantly than crusts made with white or whole wheat flour. For protein: roasted chicken, fresh mozzarellaĬhoosing a whole grain crust or a crust made with almond flour or cauliflower can also boost your fiber intake.For fiber: grilled veggies, including zucchini, peppers, olives, artichokes, and sun-dried tomatoes.When deciding on a slice, opt for toppings like these: If you order pizza, there are some ways to make your slice a bit more nutritious and blood-sugar-friendly. These include fruits, non-starchy vegetables, and whole grains, such as oats, brown rice, and buckwheat. When choosing carbs, it’s best to go for nutrient-dense carb sources most of the time. However, in general, it’s best for people with diabetes (and everyone else) to consume mostly whole, nutrient-dense foods, including vegetables, fruits, protein sources like fish and chicken, as well as beans, nuts, and seeds. To be clear, a person with diabetes can safely have any type of pizza they want on occasion, even if it’s not the most nutritious option.

What are the best types of pizza for people with diabetes? However, it’s a good idea to moderate your pizza intake as part of a nutrient-dense, balanced diet. People with diabetes don’t have to avoid pizza. It simply means you should consider moderating your intake of pizza, as well as other foods rich in refined carbs, and that the majority of your diet should comprise whole, nutrient-dense foods. However, this doesn’t mean that people with diabetes have to avoid pizza altogether. The same two slices (200 grams) of Pizza Hut cheese pizza deliver 10 grams of saturated fat, or half of the current DV ( 5, 9).Ī diet high in saturated fat may also worsen diabetes by contributing to insulin resistance, which negatively affects blood sugar management ( 10, 11). This is a concern because people with type 2 diabetes are more likely to have high blood pressure, which can be affected by a high salt intake ( 8). Pizza can be very high in sodium, which can be problematic for some people, especially those with diabetes.įor example, two slices (200 grams) of Pizza Hut cheese pizza contain 1,248 mg of sodium, which is more than 50% of the recommended daily sodium limit of 2,300 mg ( 5, 7). So, if you were to eat two slices of cheese pizza, you could be consuming around four servings, or 60 grams, of carbs, which is a significant amount.Īccording to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Daily Value (DV) for carbs for someone who eats 2,000 calories per day is 275 grams ( 6). Keep in mind that the carb content of a pizza slice can be much higher depending on the thickness of the crust, the size of the slice, and the toppings. This is because carbs are the macronutrient that has the greatest effect on your blood sugar levels.ĭepending on the type, a 100-gram slice of cheese pizza can pack around 30 grams, or two servings, of carbs, while providing a relatively small amount of protein and minimal fiber ( 5). In general, if you have diabetes, it’s a good idea to monitor your total carb intake, including the types of carbs you’re consuming. higher hemoglobin A1c - a marker of long-term blood sugar management.What’s more, research has linked diets high in refined carbs and ultra-processed foods like frozen pizzas with the following ( 2, 3, 4): On the other hand, whole, unrefined grains or other nutrient-dense carb sources, such as fiber-rich fruits and starchy vegetables, tend to affect blood sugar levels less ( 1, 2). Refined grains are stripped of certain nutrients like protein and fiber, and they have a greater effect on blood sugar levels. Regardless of whether you have diabetes, healthcare professionals generally recommend limiting your intake of refined carbs, including the white flour used to make pizza crust.īut people with blood sugar management issues, such as those with diabetes, need to be particularly mindful of the amounts of refined and total carbs they’re consuming. However, it’s a good idea for all people, not just those with diabetes, to limit their intake of pizza. The short answer to this question is yes, people with diabetes can enjoy all types of pizza.
