Choosing toppings that add more fibre, protein and other beneficial nutrients can make pizza a more balanced meal, and help keep blood sugar levels stable, according to the health and nutrition news site Health.
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These toppings alone cannot prevent blood sugar from rising, but they are a useful complement to other choices, such as the type of base, portion size and the side dishes served with the pizza.
What are the best pizza toppings that may help improve blood sugar?
Spinach
Spinach adds some fibre to pizza without a large increase in carbohydrates. Fibre slows digestion, which helps prevent blood sugar from rising too quickly after eating.
A typical serving of spinach provides a modest amount of fibre, but it contributes to your total fibre intake over the day. Spinach also contains health-boosting nutrients such as folic acid and vitamin K.
Mushrooms
Mushrooms add a rich, savoury flavour to pizza while contributing very few carbohydrates. They also provide nutrients such as selenium and B vitamins.
Mushrooms can also act as a meaty substitute, replacing pepperoni or sausage. Swapping some processed meats for mushrooms helps reduce the sodium and saturated fat in pizza. This is particularly useful for people with diabetes, who may be more vulnerable to heart disease.
Coloured bell peppers
Sweet peppers add colour, a crunchy texture and natural sweetness to pizza. They provide vitamin C and some fibre, and contain a relatively low amount of carbohydrates, making them an easy way to add more vegetables to your meal.
Red, yellow and green peppers are all excellent choices, so you can pick whichever variety you prefer.
Artichokes
Artichokes are rich in fibre, including a type called inulin. Inulin acts as a prebiotic, feeding beneficial bacteria in the gut. A healthy gut microbiome may help regulate blood sugar and support other aspects of healthy metabolism.
Grilled chicken
Grilled chicken is a good choice if you want to add protein to your pizza. Protein has a smaller direct effect on blood sugar than carbohydrates, and it helps you feel full for longer after the meal.
Eating protein alongside carbohydrates may also reduce the rise in blood sugar after eating.
Olives
Olives add a distinctive salty flavour that goes well with tomato sauce, vegetables and the cheeses used on pizza. They contain monounsaturated fats, a type of fat linked to better heart health.
Although olives are not a rich source of fibre or protein, they contain very few carbohydrates, so they add flavour without noticeably increasing the carbohydrate content of the meal.
