Kamil Perry
Pizza is a popular dish of Italian origin, consisting of a flattened disk of bread dough, topped with a combination of olive oil, oregano, tomato, olives, cheese, and many other ingredients. It is a favourite food for many, but it is also quite difficult to enjoy while maintaining balanced blood sugar levels. Pizza contains carbohydrates, and often a good deal of them. So, yes, it will raise your blood sugar. However, there are ways to prepare or order pizza that will not wreak havoc on your health and blood sugar levels.
Will a cheese pizza raise blood sugar?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Carbohydrates | Pizza contains carbohydrates in its crust and cheese. |
| Fats and proteins | Cheese provides fats and proteins which can help slow and absorb the amount of sugar entering the bloodstream. |
| Crust | The crust is a carbohydrate that will directly break down into sugar and enter the bloodstream. |
| Sugar | Some pizzas also contain sugar in the sauce. |
| Toppings | Toppings like vegetables can add fibre to the meal, which can help slow the uptake of sugars broken down from the carbs in the pizza. |
| Sodium | Pizza can be high in sodium, which can worsen diabetes by contributing to insulin resistance, impairing blood sugar management. |
| Calories | Pizza is more calorically dense than nutrient-dense. |
| Fibre | Fibre reduces the glycemic index of foods, so it is best to choose a high-fibre, whole-grain crust for your pizza. |
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What You'll Learn
- The impact of pizza on blood sugar levels varies from person to person
- Pizza crusts made with almond flour or cauliflower are lower in carbs
- High-fat toppings can cause a delayed blood sugar spike
- The number of carbs in a pizza slice depends on its thickness and toppings
- Pizza can be incorporated into a balanced diet for people with diabetes
The impact of pizza on blood sugar levels varies from person to person
Pizza is a dish of Italian origin consisting of a flattened disk of bread dough topped with some combination of olive oil, oregano, tomato, olives, mozzarella or other cheese, and many other ingredients. The impact of pizza on blood sugar levels varies from person to person. This is due to several factors, including individual insulin sensitivity, the type of crust, toppings, portion size, and the timing of insulin intake.
The crust is a significant source of carbohydrates, which will directly break down into sugar and enter the bloodstream. However, the cheese, fats, proteins, and fibre from toppings can help slow down the absorption of sugar. For example, adding extra meats or vegetables as toppings provides protein and fibre, respectively, which can help balance blood sugar levels.
The type of crust also plays a crucial role in determining blood sugar impact. Traditional crusts made with white or whole wheat flour are higher in carbohydrates, while alternative crusts made with almond flour, cauliflower, or chickpea are lower in carbs and have a lower glycaemic index. Whole grain crusts or those made with almond flour or cauliflower can boost fibre intake, helping to prevent blood sugar spikes.
Additionally, portion size matters. A traditional, hand-tossed pizza slice the size of an average adult's hand contains approximately 30-35 grams of carbohydrates. Consuming multiple slices or a larger portion can lead to a more significant impact on blood sugar levels.
Lastly, the timing of insulin intake is essential for individuals with diabetes. Eating high-fat foods like pizza can cause a prolonged, gradual blood sugar rise many hours after eating. This delayed spike occurs because high-fat meals increase serum triglycerides, leading to insulin resistance and higher glucose secretion by the liver. Therefore, individuals taking insulin may need to adjust the timing or dosage to prevent blood sugar spikes.
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Pizza crusts made with almond flour or cauliflower are lower in carbs
Pizza is a popular dish, but it can be challenging to manage blood sugar levels when consuming it, especially for people with diabetes. The crust is where most of the carbohydrates in a pizza are found, and these carbs break down directly into sugar, which enters the bloodstream. However, pizza toppings like cheese, meats, and vegetables can help balance this by providing fats, proteins, and fibre, which slow the absorption of sugar.
When preparing or ordering pizza, there are ways to control and maintain healthy blood sugar levels. Firstly, consider the type of crust; almond flour and cauliflower crusts are lower in carbs. Secondly, choose toppings wisely. Adding extra meats provides more protein to slow carbohydrate absorption, while vegetables add fibre, essential nutrients, and further help to slow sugar uptake. However, be mindful of fat-filled toppings like sausage or extra cheese, as they can cause a prolonged, gradual blood sugar rise many hours after eating.
It is also important to remember that moderation is vital. Consuming multiple slices of pizza, even with healthier crusts and toppings, can still lead to excess fat and spiked blood sugar levels. Therefore, portion control and balancing pizza with other foods are essential to maintaining healthy blood sugar levels.
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High-fat toppings can cause a delayed blood sugar spike
While a cheese pizza may not be the healthiest option, it is possible to prepare it in a way that won't cause a drastic increase in blood sugar levels. The crust is where most of the carbohydrates in pizza are found, and it is these carbohydrates that will directly break down into sugar and enter your bloodstream. However, the cheese and other toppings can help to balance this by providing fats and proteins, which can slow the absorption of sugar.
That being said, high-fat toppings can also cause a delayed blood sugar spike. When a meal is high in fat, it causes an increase in serum triglycerides for several hours. This increase in triglycerides causes the liver to become resistant to insulin, resulting in a greater secretion of glucose by the liver. Without a concurrent increase in insulin, blood sugar levels will rise. This is why high-fat meals are associated with a prolonged, gradual blood sugar rise that occurs many hours after eating.
The same effect can be seen when consuming multiple slices of pizza or a pizza with fat-filled toppings like extra cheese or sausage. In this case, the carbohydrates will take a few hours longer than usual to "kick in". When insulin is administered before a meal, it typically peaks within 60-90 minutes and finishes within 3-4 hours. However, when the food digests slowly, the insulin may peak too early, resulting in a blood sugar drop followed by a rise a few hours later when the food is finally absorbed but the insulin is fading.
To avoid this issue, people with diabetes can try delaying or blunting the activity of the insulin. This can be done by taking the bolus after the meal instead of before, or by splitting the dose in half and taking the second half an hour or two later. Additionally, when choosing a pizza, it may be beneficial to opt for a thin crust made with almond flour or cauliflower, as these tend to be lower in carbohydrates and will affect blood sugar levels less significantly. Loading up on vegetable toppings can also add fibre and essential nutrients to your meal, which can help to slow the uptake of sugars.
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The number of carbs in a pizza slice depends on its thickness and toppings
Pizza is a dish of Italian origin consisting of a flattened disk of bread dough topped with some combination of olive oil, oregano, tomato, olives, mozzarella or other cheese, and many other ingredients. The number of carbs in a pizza slice depends on its thickness and toppings.
The crust is where you will find most of the carbohydrates in pizza. A medium (12-inch) thin-crust pizza without any cheese and toppings has 17 grams of carbs per slice. A regular-crust pizza averages 30 grams of carbs per slice. Thin-crust pizza has 5-10 fewer grams of carbs per slice than regular-crust or pan pizza. The exact carbohydrate content in a slice of pizza can vary widely based on several factors, including the thickness of the crust, the type and amount of toppings, and the size of the slice itself. As a general guideline, according to the USDA, a regular slice of cheese pizza from a 14" pie contains about 36 grams of carbohydrates. A regular slice of pizza can range from 15 to 45 grams of carbs, depending on the style, toppings, and the size of the slice.
If you consume multiple slices of pizza, or the pizza is laden with fat-filled toppings like sausage or extra cheese, you can expect the carbs to take a few hours longer than usual to "kick in". When we give a bolus of rapid-acting insulin, the insulin usually starts to work in about 15 minutes, peaks in 60-90 minutes, and finishes in about three to four hours. This activity profile works fine if the food you are eating digests fairly rapidly. When the food digests slowly, a normal meal bolus may peak too early – resulting in a blood sugar drop followed by a blood sugar rise a few hours later when the food is finally absorbed but the bolus is fading.
Some tips to manage blood sugar levels when eating pizza include substituting ingredients, avoiding certain types like some frozen pizzas, or making a pizza to control and maintain healthy blood sugar levels. For example, a crust made with almond flour or vegetables like cauliflower tends to be much lower in carbs than regular pizza. It will affect your blood sugar less significantly than crusts made with white or whole wheat flour. Choosing a thin crust option over a regular pan/thick crust can also help slightly reduce carb intake. Toppings like arugula or other vegetables can add fiber to your meal, which can also help slow the uptake of sugars broken down from the carbs in your pizza.
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Pizza can be incorporated into a balanced diet for people with diabetes
Pizza is a dish of Italian origin, consisting of a flattened disk of bread dough, topped with a combination of olive oil, oregano, tomato, olives, cheese, and other ingredients. The crust and cheese contain carbohydrates, and some pizzas also contain sugar in the sauce. While cheese provides fats and proteins that can help slow and balance the absorption of sugar, consuming too much can lead to excess fat and spiked blood sugar levels. Therefore, moderation is vital.
For people with diabetes, it is recommended to opt for lower-carb crusts made with almond flour or vegetables like cauliflower, as they will affect blood sugar levels less significantly than traditional crusts made with white or whole wheat flour. Choosing a thin crust over a thick crust can also help reduce carb intake. When selecting toppings, consider adding extra meats or vegetables to increase protein and fiber intake, which can help slow the absorption of carbohydrates.
Additionally, pairing pizza with a fiber- and protein-rich side dish can help manage blood sugar levels. It is also important to monitor total carb intake and prioritize nutrient-dense foods, such as fruits, non-starchy vegetables, and whole grains. While pizza can be enjoyed on occasion, it is generally recommended to limit intake and opt for whole, nutrient-dense options for the majority of one's diet.
People with diabetes may need to experiment with their insulin dosing and timing to effectively manage blood sugar spikes when indulging in pizza. Consulting a healthcare professional or a dietitian for guidance on incorporating pizza into a balanced diet is always a good idea.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, pizza contains carbohydrates, which will break down into sugar and enter your bloodstream. However, the cheese will balance this by providing fats and proteins, which can help slow and absorb the amount of sugar entering your bloodstream.
Choose a whole grain or vegetable-based pizza crust, such as cauliflower or almond flour, which will be lower in carbohydrates and have a lower glycaemic index. You can also add more colourful vegetables and lean proteins as toppings, and make your own pizza sauce using fresh ingredients like tomatoes, onions, garlic, and herbs, instead of using store-bought pizza sauces that tend to be high in sugar and sodium.
The "delayed spike" in blood sugar is caused by the large amounts of fat in most pizzas. High-fat meals cause an increase in serum triglycerides, which makes the liver become resistant to insulin, resulting in a greater secretion of glucose by the liver. This leads to a rise in blood sugar levels.
Yes, people with diabetes can eat pizza, but it may take some strategic thinking and planning. People with diabetes should consider moderating their intake of pizza and other foods rich in refined carbs, and ensure that their diet mostly comprises whole, nutrient-dense foods.
