The first Jack in the Box has opened in San Diego, California, in 1951 and since then it has become one of America’s favorite fast-food restaurants. The focus of the restaurant is burgers and fries, but you can also find various other items on the menu.

Jack in the Box is an excellent choice for those moments when you’re in a hurry and you’re looking for a convenient meal. However, if you have diabetes, Jack in the Box might not be the best option out there, since many of the items on their menu have high amounts of fat and sugar.

The good news is that it’s still possible to enjoy a meal at Jack in the Box even if you’re watching your carbs intake. The key is to have a close look at the nutritional information on the menu and choose items that aren’t likely to cause a spike in your blood sugar levels.

Here’s what you can have at Jack in the Box if you’re managing diabetes.

Breakfast

The mini pancakes at Jack in the Box are the best option for someone who has diabetes. If you choose to have the pancakes without any syrup, you’re looking at 28 grams of carbohydrates and 6 grams of sugar per serving. A serving has eight mini pancakes, which should be enough for breakfast when enjoyed with a cup of coffee. If you want to add syrup to your pancakes, this will add an extra 21 grams of sugar and another 117 calories, so the best choice would be to avoid it.

Burgers

Burgers are the thing Jack in the Box is really known for, but unfortunately, most of the items on the menu are not suitable for people with diabetes. Your best bet is a plain hamburger, which clocks in at 32 grams of carbohydrates, 5 grams of sugar and 340 calories. You can also add a slice of cheese if you want, which won’t change the amount of carbs, but will add an extra 40 calories and 3 grams of fat.

Chicken

Jack in the Box is also known for its chicken options, and this section is where you have a bit more room for choice if you have diabetes. The 5-piece chicken nuggets have just 13 grams of carbohydrates and 238 calories and they go great with a simple salad.

Another option is the chicken fajita pita, which contains more carbs at 35 grams, but is a more filling option. It has 330 calories and 4 grams of sugar, but you can easily reduce the amount of carbs by removing some of the bread.

Salads

Most of the salads at Jack in the Box are good choices for people who live with diabetes, but you need to pay attention to the amount of carbs and calories in the dressing. The best choice on the menu if you have diabetes is the grilled chicken salad, which has a total of 230 calories, 12 grams of carbohydrates and just 5 grams of sugar. These numbers are without any of the croutons or balsamic dressing. If you opt for those as well, you’ll be looking at an extra 95 calories and an extra 3 grams of sugar.

Tacos

Tacos are not the main reason most people go to Jack in the Box, but they could be a good option for people who live with diabetes. If you opt for a single regular taco, you’ll get 16 grams of carbs and just 1 gram of sugar, which is not too bad if you’re watching your blood sugar levels. Keep in mind that tacos come in packs of two at Jack in the Box, so you may split an order with a friend.

Dessert

There are not many options for dessert at Jack in the Box for people with diabetes. The item with the lowest calorie count on the menu is the Chocolate Overload cake, which has 300 calories, 57 grams of carbs and 34 grams of sugar. While that’s a bit too much for someone with diabetes, you can take a bite or two and offer the rest to a friend.

What you should avoid at Jack in the Box if you have diabetes

Most of the items on the Jack in the Box menu are not suitable for someone with diabetes, but you should definitely stay away from the Grande sausage breakfast burrito, the Bacon Ultimate Cheeseburger, and Oreo cookie ice cream shake, as the amount of carbs, fat, and calories they contain is truly off the charts.