People all throughout the world adore pizza and eat it frequently. However, for those living with diabetes, pizza can be a challenging food to include in a healthy diet. Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects the way the body processes glucose, or sugar, in the blood. To prevent consequences including heart disease, stroke, and nerve damage, diabetics must carefully control their blood sugar levels.This can be difficult when it comes to indulging in pizza, as traditional pizza is high in carbohydrates and can cause blood sugar spikes.
Luckily, there are ways to make pizza a part of a diabetic-friendly diet. The key is to make smart ingredient choices and control portion sizes. Whole wheat crust, lean meats, and low-fat cheeses are all great options for people with diabetes. Additionally, incorporating vegetables and using alternative crust options, such as cauliflower crust, can help keep blood sugar levels in check.
One delicious diabetic-friendly pizza recipe is the Whole Wheat Pizza with Veggies and Lean Meat. This recipe uses a whole wheat crust, which is a better option than white crust for people with diabetes, as it is high in fiber and has a low glycemic index. The fiber in whole wheat crust helps slow down the absorption of glucose into the bloodstream, preventing blood sugar spikes. Additionally, using lean meats, vegetables, and low-fat cheese can help keep the pizza low in saturated fat and cholesterol, which are important considerations for people with diabetes.
Ingredients:
1 pre-made whole wheat pizza crust
1/4 cup tomato sauce
1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
1/4 cup diced onions
1/4 cup diced bell peppers
1/4 cup diced lean ham or turkey pepperoni
1/4 cup shredded low-fat mozzarella cheese
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
Place the pizza crust on a baking sheet or pizza pan.
Spread the tomato sauce over the crust, leaving a little room around the edges.
Add the mushrooms, onions, bell peppers, and pepperoni on top of the sauce.
Sprinkle the cheese over the toppings.
Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
Another great option for people with diabetes is to use a cauliflower crust. Cauliflower crust is a low-carb and gluten-free alternative to traditional pizza crust. It is made from grated cauliflower, egg, and cheese, and has a similar texture to traditional pizza crust. Cauliflower crust is also high in fiber and vitamins, making it a healthier option for people with diabetes.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup low-fat Greek yogurt
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and pepper, to taste
1/2 cup diced tomatoes
1/4 cup diced red onion
1/4 cup sliced black olives
1/4 cup crumbled low-fat feta cheese
1 pre-made cauliflower crust
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
In a small bowl, mix together the Greek yogurt, Parmesan cheese, basil, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
Spread the mixture over the cauliflower crust, leaving a little room around the edges.
Add the diced tomatoes, red onion, black olives, and feta cheese on top of the sauce.
Bake for 10-15 minutes.