Pizza can be tricky for anyone living with diabetes.

Whether managing Type 1 diabetes (T1D) or Type 2 diabetes (T2D), finding a pizza option that won’t spike blood sugar can be challenging. However, with the right choices, a meal at Pizza Hut can fit into a balanced diet, even for those managing diabetes.

As a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator, it’s important to understand the role of carbs, fats, and proteins in blood sugar control. Below is a breakdown of some pizza options that work well for individuals with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes when ordering from Pizza Hut.

1. Hawaiian Chicken Pizza

The Hawaiian Chicken pizza is a solid option for those looking for a balanced meal. A large slice of this pizza contains around 33 grams of net carbs, 15 grams of protein, and 8 grams of fat. With a moderate carb load and decent protein content, this choice helps avoid a rapid blood sugar spike, making it a great option for individuals managing Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.

Managing diabetes, whether it’s Type 1 (T1D) or Type 2 (T2D), can often make eating out feel tricky.

A registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator can help break down how to choose better meal options, especially when dining at places like Panda Express. With its wide range of menu items, it’s important to make mindful choices that won’t drastically impact blood sugar levels. Here are some go-to options for those living with diabetes, recommended by a registered dietitian with experience in both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.

1. Teriyaki Chicken: A Protein-Packed, Low-Carb Option

For anyone looking for a balanced meal, the teriyaki chicken is one of the best options on the Panda Express menu. It's easy to see that this dish offers over 40 grams of protein and only 14 grams of carbohydrates. The 13 grams of fat make it a moderate choice that won’t spike blood sugar too quickly. Protein is important for maintaining muscle mass and regulating blood sugar and making this dish...

Managing diabetes, whether it’s Type 1 or Type 2, can often feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to choosing foods that won’t spike blood sugar levels. For individuals living with diabetes, protein can impact blood sugar, particularly when consumed in large amounts or without carbs. However, not all protein sources have the same effect. Some proteins are less likely to cause blood sugar spikes, making them great choices for people with diabetes.

Here are three protein sources that are less likely to impact blood sugar:

1. Fish – Safe Catch Tuna

Fish is an excellent option for individuals with diabetes, and Safe Catch Tuna is a top recommendation from a diabetes educator. This brand offers 26 grams of protein per serving with minimal fat, making it both nutritious and portable. What sets Safe Catch apart is its commitment to testing every fish for mercury and other heavy metals—something no other company does. For those managing diabetes, avoiding the accumulation of harm...

Mastering meal breakdowns is essential for maintaining blood sugar balance, and a certified diabetes educator offers valuable tips on effectively managing meals for optimal results. Understanding how to manage what you eat properly is one of the most important aspects of blood sugar control, especially for people with diabetes.

Breaking Down Meals: Key Considerations

The first step in controlling blood sugar is identifying the carbohydrate sources in a meal. Carbohydrates are the primary contributors to blood sugar spikes, so they should be dosed first when managing meals. In some cuisines, like traditional Azorean cooking, carbs can be hidden in unexpected places. Fries and white rice are obvious sources of carbohydrates, but sauces and marinades may contain hidden sugars that affect blood sugar levels. It's important to recognize that not all carbs are as obvious as they might seem, and even small amounts in dressings or sauces can add up to impact your blood sugar control.

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When it comes to fast food, making the right choices can be challenging, especially for those managing Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. A registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator understands that life sometimes throws curveballs, and you may find yourself at a place like Sonic needing to pick a meal that keeps blood sugar levels in check. Here are a few recommended options from a T1D dietitian to help navigate the menu wisely.

1. Crispy Tenders – A Balanced Snack or Meal Base

One of the better choices on the Sonic menu is the three-piece crispy tenders. This option provides 21 grams of protein, 16 grams of carbs, and only 12 grams of fat, making it a solid protein boost. It can serve as a high-protein snack or as a small meal addition without significantly spiking blood sugar.

2. Philly Cheesesteak – A High-Protein Option with Some Adjustments

The Philly cheesesteak sandwich is another choice, offering 46 grams of protein and 39 grams of fat. However, due to the high-f...

If you have diabetes, here’s something you may not have considered: You’re probably not eating enough protein.

Protein plays a major role in the body. It helps build muscle, increases bone density, and keeps you feeling full. But if you’re managing Type 1 diabetes (T1D) or Type 2 diabetes (T2D), protein has an even bigger benefit—it helps stabilize blood sugar after meals. A diabetes dietitian tells you that if your meals don’t include at least 25-30 grams of protein, you may want to rethink what’s on your plate. Making this small change can have a huge impact on your blood sugar levels and overall diabetes management.

How Protein Helps with Blood Sugar Stability

When you eat carbohydrates alone, your blood sugar spikes quickly. But when you add protein to your meals, it slows down digestion, reducing sharp blood sugar rises. This is why a T1D dietitian or T2D dietitian often recommends pairing carbs with protein to keep glucose levels stable.

A Type 1 diabetes dietitian or...

For individuals managing Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, blood sugar levels can be tricky to navigate. A surprising factor that plays a big role in blood sugar regulation is the timing of meals—particularly, how certain foods affect blood sugar differently depending on the time of day. Many people may have noticed that cereal, oats, granola, or fruit like bananas can cause a significant blood sugar spike in the morning, but this spike isn’t as severe if consumed later in the day. So, what’s going on?

It turns out the body’s natural rhythm plays a major role. Each morning, around 7 a.m., cortisol, the stress hormone, spikes. This surge in cortisol leads to insulin resistance, meaning your body’s ability to use insulin effectively is temporarily impaired. As a result, the same foods that would normally have a more moderate effect on blood sugar can cause much higher spikes in the morning.

This phenomenon is especially important for people with diabetes, whether it’s Type 1 (T1D) or T...

 Outdoor activities can be a lot of fun, but if you have Type 1 diabetes or Type 2 diabetes, a sudden drop in blood sugar can quickly ruin the experience. Whether you’re hiking, skiing, or just going for a walk, low blood sugar can leave you stranded and feeling unwell. Fortunately, there are simple strategies to prevent this from happening. A diabetes dietitian can help guide you in the right direction, but here are three easy-to-follow tips to keep your blood sugar levels steady and enjoy your next outdoor adventure.

1. Decrease Your Active Insulin

One of the first things a T1D dietitian would advise is to decrease your active insulin before starting physical activity. Active insulin can make a significant impact on blood sugar levels, and during physical activity, your insulin may become even more powerful. This can cause your blood sugar to drop rapidly, especially if you’ve taken your usual dose. By reducing the active insulin on board, you can prevent an unexpected drop in...

For individuals living with diabetes, making smart food choices is key to managing their health.

Whether it’s Type 1 diabetes (T1D) or Type 2 diabetes (T2D), a diabetes educator plays a vital role in helping people understand how food affects their blood sugar levels. A T1D dietitian living with Type 1 diabetes for over 25 years offers helpful insights into navigating fast food, specifically White Castle while making choices that keep blood sugar levels in check.

Navigating White Castle with Type 1 Diabetes

While White Castle isn't necessarily the best choice for managing Type 1 diabetes, it's important to be mindful of what you're selecting if you find yourself there. Maintaining balanced blood sugar is a priority, so choosing meals that balance protein, fat, and carbs in ways that minimize blood sugar spikes is key. A diabetes educator might recommend the following options to help manage blood sugar levels while at White Castle.

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Managing blood sugar levels is a challenge that many people with diabetes, whether Type 1 (T1D) or Type 2 (T2D), face daily.

For those struggling with persistent high blood sugars, it can often feel like you're doing everything right, but nothing seems to work. If this sounds familiar, it may be time to understand the role of the "three S's" in blood sugar management. These are Sleep, Stress, and Sickness—three factors that might be the root cause of stubborn high blood sugars.

1. Sleep: The Silent Blood Sugar Culprit

Sleep plays a crucial role in maintaining balanced blood sugar. For individuals with diabetes, especially those working with a T1D dietitian or T2D dietitian, poor sleep can have a significant impact. When you don’t get enough sleep, your body interprets this as stress. This stress response leads to an increase in cortisol, a hormone that elevates blood sugar levels by increasing insulin resistance. Simply put, lack of sleep can make it harder for your body to use in...