A fun sleepover with friends, delicious food, and weeks to catch up on — chances are there’s pizza leftover. Naturally, reaching out for a couple of slices can seem like a comforting and convenient choice the next morning. But is it the healthiest choice, especially when you are trying to manage your blood sugar levels?
Pooja Shah Bhave, Consultant Clinical Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator, told indianexpress.com that the predominant ingredient in pizza is refined flour, which is high in easily digestible starch. “It causes an enormous blood sugar spike, and consistent consumption of pizza would lead to obesity, insulin resistance, and can increase lipids like cholesterol and triglyceride levels as well,” she explained.
And what happens if leftover pizza is consumed the next morning?
Deepalakshmi, registered dietitian at Shree Balaji Medical Centre, Chennai, said that most pizzas—especially those with refined flour crusts, processed meats, and generous amounts of cheese—are high in simple carbohydrates, saturated fats, and sodium.
“When consumed on an empty stomach in the morning, this can lead to a rapid spike in blood glucose levels, followed by a sharp drop. This fluctuation can leave you feeling sluggish, irritable, and hungry again soon after,” she explained. For those with diabetes or insulin resistance, such a blood sugar response can be particularly disruptive and may strain insulin regulation early in the day.
Pizza can spike your insulin (Source: Freepik)
According to Bhave, it is a great idea to implement portion control and not consume the entire pizza in one sitting. “It ensures relatively lower blood sugar spike after the meal,” she said.
Leave it out or refrigerate it?
She suggests storing leftover pizza in the fridge than leaving it outside at room temperature overnight. “Pizza left at room temperature, especially in humid climate, can cause bacterial growth which may cause a food infection. Apart from that, starchy food like pizza, when refrigerated, forms resistant starch.
Resistant starch works like fiber, and causes a lower blood sugar spike as compared to freshly-made pizza. “The word ‘resistant’ indicates that it cannot be acted up on by digestive enzymes. Also, reheating the same pizza does not reduce the resistant starch content,” she said, further recommending re-heating pizza in water.
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“Any starch when heated in water forms a gel, through a process called gelatinization. This gelatinized starch, when cooled down, recrystallizes to some extent in the process called retrogradation. This recrystallized starch is called retrograded starch which is type of resistant starch.
However, Bhave pointed out that pizza still causes a higher blood sugar spike compared to other healthy breakfast foods like moong and besan chila or egg omelet which are lower in carbs, high in protein and fiber content. Thus, it should not be a routine practice to order excess pizza and consume the leftovers next day.
Having leftover pizza occasionally isn’t inherently harmful—especially if it’s made with more wholesome ingredients. A slice with a thin whole wheat crust, fresh vegetables, lean protein like grilled chicken, and minimal cheese is a more balanced option. Pairing it with a source of fiber, such as a fresh fruit or a side of vegetables, can help moderate the meal’s glycaemic impact and support digestion.
DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.
