Burgers & fries
McDonald's
The buns, fries, and sweetened drinks carry most of the carbs here. Grilled and egg-based items, or a burger without the fries, land far gentler.
Steadier choices
- Side Salad2 g
- Hash Browns13 g
- Chicken McNuggets (6 pc)15 g
Breakfast
Hash Browns
15 g carbs · 2 g fiber · 0 g sugar
13g netGentleEgg McMuffin
30 g carbs · 2 g fiber · 3 g sugar
28g netModerate
Burgers
Hamburger
32 g carbs · 1 g fiber · 7 g sugar
31g netModerateCheeseburger
33 g carbs · 1 g fiber · 7 g sugar
32g netModerateQuarter Pounder with Cheese
42 g carbs · 2 g fiber · 10 g sugar
40g netHighBig Mac
45 g carbs · 3 g fiber · 9 g sugar
42g netHigh
Chicken
Chicken McNuggets (6 pc)
16 g carbs · 1 g fiber · 0 g sugar
Protein-forward; the dipping sauces add the sugar.
15g netGentleMcChicken
40 g carbs · 2 g fiber · 5 g sugar
38g netHigh
Sides
Side Salad
4 g carbs · 2 g fiber · 2 g sugar
2g netGentleWorld Famous Fries (small)
29 g carbs · 3 g fiber · 0 g sugar
26g netModerateWorld Famous Fries (medium)
43 g carbs · 4 g fiber · 0 g sugar
39g netHigh
How to read this
We rank by net carbs because, for most people, the amount of digestible carbohydrate is what moves glucose most after a meal, more than the glycemic load of any single ingredient. Fiber is subtracted because it passes through largely undigested. The surest read is your own: a post-meal reading an hour or two later shows how your body actually handled the order.
Carbohydrate figures are approximate, from McDonald's's published nutrition information; recipes and menus change, so check the current nutrition page for exact numbers. General information, not medical or dietary advice.
See how eating out lands for you
Menu numbers are a guide; your own response is what matters. Log a reading after a meal out, add a note, and SteadyRange shows you the patterns, on a private log you control.