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If you have diabetes, you’ve probably heard that you should avoid or reduce your consumption of certain foods and drinks, including sugary beverages, refined grains, and candy. Of course, it’s best for everyone, not just those with diabetes, to follow a nutrient-dense, whole-foods diet that contains plenty of protein, healthy fat, and fiber. This article explains how people with diabetes can safely eat pizza and provides tips for healthy eating habits for those with diabetes. Is pizza safe for people with diabetes? The short answer to this question is yes, people with diabetes can enjoy all types of pizza. However, it’s a good idea for all people, not just those with diabetes, to limit their intake of pizza. But 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.
Refined grains are stripped of certain nutrients like protein and fiber, and they have a greater effect on blood sugar levels. 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. This is because carbs are the macronutrient that has the greatest effect on your blood sugar levels. 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. 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. However, this doesn’t mean that people with diabetes have to avoid pizza altogether. 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, it’s a good idea to moderate your pizza intake as part of a nutrient-dense, balanced diet. What are the best types of pizza for people with diabetes? 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. When choosing carbs, it’s best to go for nutrient-dense carb sources most of the time.
These include fruits, non-starchy vegetables, and whole grains, such as oats, brown rice, and buckwheat. If you order pizza, there are some ways to make your slice a bit more nutritious and blood-sugar-friendly. Choosing a whole grain crust or a crust made with almond flour or cauliflower can also boost your fiber intake. 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. 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.