Exaggerated Hyperglycemia After A Pizza Meal in Well-Controlled Diabetes

Jo Ann Ahern; Patricia M Gatcomb; NANcy A Held; William A Petit; William V Tamborlane

doi:10.2337/diacare.16.4.578

Original Articles

Exaggerated Hyperglycemia After A Pizza Meal in Well-Controlled Diabetes

Jo Ann Ahern, RN, BSN, CDE,
Patricia M Gatcomb, RN, BSN, CDE,
NANcy A Held, MS, RD, CDE,
William A Petit Jr, MD and
William V Tamborlane, MD

Department of Nursing, Yale-New Haven Hospital; and the Department of Pediatrics, Internal Medicine, and the General Clinical Research Centers, Yale University School of Medicine New Haven, Connecticut

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Jo Ann Ahern, RN, BSN, CDE, H530, Yalenew Haven Hospital, 20 York Street, New Haven, CT 06504.

Diabetes Care 1993 Apr; 16(4): 578-580. https://doi.org/10.2337/diacare.16.4.578

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To examine whether the postprandial hyperglycemic effect of pizza in well-controlled IDDM patients is related to overeating or to unique properties of this popular food.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS On two evenings, each patient (n = 8) consumed a meal that was similar in macronutrient composition except that one consisted of pizza and the other was a control meal that included high glycemic index foods. The insulin regimen was held constant.

RESULTS Postprandial glucose levels were within the target range (< or = 10 mM) after the control meal. Although the initial glucose increase was similar for the two meals, plasma glucose continued to rise and was significantly increased from 4 to 9 h after ingestion of pizza compared with the control meal (P < 0.05). This increase occurred even though free insulin, glucagon, and free fatty acid levels did not differ significantly.

CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that pizza has properties that accentuate and sustain postprandial hyperglycemia.