Dangerous Side Effects of Eating Too Much Pizza
Is one slice ever enough? While we know that having a pizza slice—or two—with a big side salad would be the best thing for weight loss, sometimes when you're extra hungry, one slice turns to three or four slices…and before you know it, you've eaten way too much pizza. And while one night of indulging may not seem like a big deal, if you're eating too much pizza on a regular, daily basis, there could be some dangerous side effects that happen to your body.
We decided to dive deep into the research behind the dangerous side effects of eating too much pizza in order to better educate ourselves on what happens to our bodies when we do so. Here's what we found, and for more healthy eating tips, be sure to check out our list of The 7 Healthiest Foods to Eat Right Now.
Your risk of developing diabetes increases significantly.
Did you know a single slice of cheese pizza scores high in the glycemic index? Because it's full of simple carbs and doesn't offer a substantial amount of satiating fiber or protein, the cheese pizza scores 80 out of 100—meaning it will cause a drastic blood sugar spike.
While a blood sugar spike may not do much once in a blue moon, experiencing spikes on a regular basis can cause a higher risk of developing diabetes, which can also lead to heart disease, blindness, neuropathy, and kidney failure, according to Healthline.
However, if you were to order a veggie supreme pie, it's only 49 out of 100 on the index because of the added, healthy toppings.
Here are 19 Tricks for Ordering a Healthier Pizza.
You'll still eat more, and gain weight.
While this side effect may not seem dangerous, over time, it could cause your body some serious issues. One study shows that consuming food that is high on the glycemic index can cause you to feel hungry after—which may lead to eating even more food, and soon, weight gain. Weight gain can lead to risks of developing inflammation and chronic disease.
Here are 9 Ways to Make Pizza So You Won't Get Fat.
Your body won't be getting the necessary fiber.
Why do you feel hungry after eating pizza? Because your pizza is not high in fiber, which is a key nutrient needed to feel full and help you lose weight. A few slices of cheese pizza won't have any fibrous foods on it, and unless you're pairing your pizza with a huge side salad or enjoying a pizza with a whole-grain crust, the fiber count of your meal will be super small. Not getting enough fiber in your diet can cause weight gain long term, keep you feeling hungry, and cause digestive issues down the road.
Looking for more helpful tips? The Pizza Diet has it all for you!
You'll experience frequent constipation.
Between the overload of bread and cheese from each slice, you may have a harder time in the bathroom later. Without fiber, your digestive system will be out of whack and cause you to be backed up in the bathroom later—which will be incredibly uncomfortable for you. Plus, constipation can cause severe bodily issues down the line, according to MayoClinic. So if you're eating pizza on a regular, even daily basis, you'll be dealing with uncomfortable constipation frequently.
You'll increase your risk of heart disease.
Between the high sodium content and the use of processed meats, eating too much pizza on a regular basis can increase your risk of heart disease. According to Pub Med, eating a lot of processed meats has been linked to heart disease, as well as obesity and cancer.
So ditch eating the unhealthy pizza and try making one of our 29+ Best Healthy Pizza Recipes!
