Can Diabetics Eat Pizza? How to Enjoy It Safely

Yes, diabetics can eat pizza—but portion control, smart ingredient choices, and insulin timing are crucial. One regular slice can contain over 30g of carbs, spiking blood sugar if not managed carefully. Opting for thin crust, cauliflower crust, or whole wheat crust, along with lean proteins and vegetables instead of processed meats, can make pizza more diabetes-friendly. Homemade pizza is best for full control. For insulin users, consider splitting your dose to match pizza’s slow digestion. With mindful strategies, pizza doesn’t have to be off-limits for people with diabetes.

Key Takeaways

• Diabetics can eat pizza in moderation, but must monitor blood sugar closely.
• Thin crust, cauliflower, or whole wheat crusts are better than deep-dish or white flour crusts.
• Choose veggie toppings and lean proteins over processed meats and extra cheese.
• Homemade pizza offers better control of ingredients and carb count.
• Split insulin dosing may help manage delayed carb absorption from pizza.
• Limit to 1–2 slices and balance your meal with a side salad or fiber-rich food.

Can Pizza Raise Your Blood Sugar Levels?

Pizza is mainly categorized under fast food items. A typical slice of regular-crust pizza with pepperoni contains around 33 grams of carbs, 12 grams of protein, and 10 grams of fat. Pizza is considered a high glycemic index food, meaning it can spike blood sugar levels quickly due to its high carb content and lack of fiber to slow digestion. The glycemic load of pizza is estimated to be around 25, which is high. As a result, eating pizza can significantly raise your blood sugar levels if you have diabetes.

What Is The Best Pizza for Diabetics?

So, what makes certain varieties of pizza better than others when it comes to blood glucose levels? The main factors are the crust type, toppings, and portion size. Pizzas made with a refined white flour crust and topped with processed, high-fat meats tend to have a higher glycemic index and load, leading to greater spikes in blood sugar after eating. On the other hand, pizzas made with a whole grain or lower-carb crust like cauliflower, topped with veggies and lean proteins, are lower on the glycemic index and less likely to cause a significant blood sugar rise.

According to a 2010 study by researchers at the University of Sydney, eating less carbohydrates and following a lower glycemic index diet can help improve glucose control and prevent blood sugar spikes after meals. Many health experts recommend a low-carb, low-glycemic eating pattern for managing diabetes and insulin resistance.

And this is precisely why many health experts recommend following a low-carb diet if you want to lower your risk for diabetes and insulin resistance.

Choose Different Crusts

For instance, choosing a whole wheat or cauliflower crust over a regular white flour crust can significantly reduce your pizza’s carb and calorie content. A cauliflower crust pizza may contain as little as 16 grams of carbs per serving, compared to over 60 grams for a standard crust. This lower carb load results in a smaller spike in blood sugar after eating. Other crust alternatives like chickpea or almond flour-based crusts are also good options.

Choose Healthier Toppings

The type of toppings you pick can significantly impact the nutritional value of pizza. High-fat meats like pepperoni, sausage, and extra cheese can increase calorie and saturated fat content. These toppings may also cause a more rapid spike in blood sugar levels. Instead, opt for leaner protein sources like grilled chicken or vegetables. Adding veggie toppings like spinach, tomatoes, mushrooms, peppers, and onions adds fiber, nutrients, and flavor while being low in carbs.

Make Your Own Diabetes-Friendly Pizza

Making pizza at home gives you complete control over the ingredients, allowing you to create a more diabetes-friendly version. A whole wheat or cauliflower crust for a lower-carb base is a great low-carb option. Top it with plenty of veggies and lean proteins like chicken or turkey pepperoni, and reduce the cheese.

You can also experiment with alternative crusts from chickpeas or almond flour. Homemade pizza is a great way to enjoy the flavors you love while better managing your carb intake and blood sugar levels.

How Can You Have Pizza And Still Follow Your Diet?

The trick here is to make sure you select the right pizza and take your insulin at the right time, which will make managing diabetes a bit easier while you enjoy pizza.

A pizza often contains more than 100 carbohydrates. If you inject or bolus this beforehand, you may experience hypoglycemia. The insulin starts working while the carbohydrates are still waiting in the stomach.

Contact your healthcare team or registered dietitian to understand how to consume carbohydrates and regulate your diet.

Adjust Your Insulin Dosage

“For those taking insulin, it’s essential to dose for the carbs in pizza properly,” says Amy Hess, RD, LDN, CDE. “You’ll want to take enough insulin to cover the carbs from the pizza, but you may need to split the dose or extend it over a few hours, since pizza is food that’s digested more slowly.” 

A common strategy is to take part of your insulin dose 15–20 minutes before eating, then the remaining portion 1–2 hours later.

Your insulin pump has settings that allow you to divide your insulin over the correct time frame. Ensure to work closely with your healthcare team to determine the proper insulin dosing strategy for pizza or other high-carb meals.

Limit Your Portion Sizes

You can still enjoy a pizza when you limit your portion sizes. Eat only four instead of 6. Add a side salad with some olive oil instead of eating that extra slice of pizza.

How Bad Is Pizza for Diabetics?

Pizza can be divided into two major categories: thin crust and deep dish (or pan pizza). The main difference between these types is the amount of dough involved. A deep dish pizza crust contains significantly more carbs and calories than a thin crust—around 60–100 grams of carbs versus 20–35 grams for a thin crust slice. This results in a higher glycemic load and a greater impact on blood sugar levels. For people with diabetes, thin-crust pizza is usually the better option to help manage carb intake and prevent blood sugar spikes.

Thin crust pizza varieties typically have less dough than those made with a thicker dough or ‘deep-dish’ style crust, for example. In addition to this basic distinction between different pizza styles, other factors might lead to changes in blood sugar levels after eating pizza.

• whether it was cooked at home or from takeout/delivery
• how many slices do you eat during one meal
• what toppings were added (extra cheese has been found to raise glucose more quickly)
• if it’s a fresh or frozen pizza
• and whether you add sugar to your pizza (a no-no for diabetics)

Conclusion

Pizza may be a favorite food for many, but it can pose some risks to people with diabetes. The key is to stick to healthy portion sizes and know how your body reacts to certain types of pizza. If you’re looking for healthy alternatives that are still delicious, try different crusts or covering up the fat to keep your blood sugar levels steady.