As a diabetic, you know that watching your carbs is important for keeping your blood sugar in check.
And pizza is full of carbs – but this doesn’t mean that you have to give up pizza night just because you have diabetes.
But you have to be smart about it and not just go crazy eating all the pizza in sight.
My dad is a lifelong pizza fan who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes 12 years ago and he still eats pizza every week.
Here’s his tips on eating pizza and keeping your blood sugar stable.
What To Keep In Mind When Ordering Diabetic-Friendly Pizza
If you’re not having pizza with other people, then you can customize your pizza so that you make smart choices.
Pizza is a carbohydrate-rich food, which means that it will have an impact on blood sugar levels.
However, with careful planning and moderation, it’s possible for diabetics to enjoy pizza in a healthy and balanced way.
These are the things to keep in mind-
- Focus on low-sugar toppings like olives, zucchini, peppers, olives, artichokes, and sun-dried tomatoes
- Try a whole-wheat crust for better carbs
- Choose thin-crust for regular crust
- Pile on the good protein – roasted chicken, fresh mozzarella
- Order a salad to have with the pizza
Here are some ingredients to avoid on your pizza as a diabetic:
- processed meats like bacon, ham, and sausage
- fried chicken and fried vegetables like fried eggplant
- extra cheese topping and cheese-stuffed pizza crusts
- sweet toppings like barbecue sauce and sweetened pineapple chunks
- extra-thick crusts and deep-dish-style pizzas
- creamy, high calorie sauces like Alfredo sauce and ranch dressing
And remember that you can’t go wild eating multiple slices like you used to before the diabetes diagnosis because it will make your blood sugar levels go berzerk.
Can Diabetics Eat Regular Pizza?
When you’re out with friends or co-workers, there is a good chance that you’ll end up in a situation with regular pizza from Domino’s or another popular chain.
Don’t panic when this happens!
Because yes, diabetics can eat regular pizza.
If possible, try to eat the thin-crust pizza slices because it will have fewer carbs than deep dish or pan crust pizzas.
Limit your portion size so that you don’t eat too much of the high carb pizza.
You see, the average 100-gram slice of cheese pizza is loaded with around 30 grams (two servings) of carbs, while giving you a relatively tiny amount of protein and even less fiber.
That is a recipe for disaster if you are diabetic.
And of course, that carb content of a slice of pizza can be even higher depending on the thickness of the crust, the size of the slice, and the toppings.
Keep in mind that you may feel fine after having the regular pizza, but later your body will induce a delayed blood sugar rise.
When this happen, you may experience lethargy and feelings of exhaustion.
Final Word
As you can see, diabetics can still enjoy pizza but it’s important that they make smart and informed choices at meal time.
By following our tips outlined above, diabetics can enjoy pizza in a healthy and balanced way that won’t negatively impact their blood sugar levels.
Even if it’s regular pizza, you can still enjoy it in moderation.
With a little bit of planning and moderation, there’s no reason why diabetics can’t enjoy the super yummy taste and gooey cheese of pizza just like everyone else.
