Having diabetes doesn't mean you have to give up your favorite foods. Being aware of how many exchanges you are allotted and how many exchanges are in your favorite foods allows you to splurge here and there. Check with your registered dietitian if you are unsure of how many exchanges you can have each day. She can help design a meal plan that includes your favorite foods. While you may be able to enjoy fast food once in awhile, most of these foods take up the majority of your exchanges for the day.
How Exchanges Work
The exchange system puts foods into different categories and outlines proper food portions. Foods are categorized based on their effect on your blood sugar. One food within a group can be exchanged for another food, with either one having similar effects on your blood sugar levels, explains MayoClinic.com. For example, in the starch group, you can exchange 1/3 cup of pasta for 3 cups of air-popped popcorn.
Breakdown of Exchanges in Fast Food
Fast foods are typically high in carbohydrate and fat exchanges, both of which can spike your blood sugar to unsafe levels if you consume too much. One exchange of carbohydrates provides 15 g of carbs and 80 calories, while 1 exchange of fat has 5 g of fat and 45 calories, says the American Dietetic Association. Meat-based fast foods also have lean, medium or high-fat meat exchanges. One lean-meat exchange contains 0 to 3 g of fat and 45 calories, 1 medium-fat exchange provides 4 to 7 g of fat and 75 calories and 1 high-fat exchange has 8 or more g of fat and 100 calories.
Sides and Appetizers
Having a side of French fries takes up a lot of exchanges, so limit your portion size to a small serving. A small order of French fries provides 3 carbohydrate and 3 fat exchanges versus 5 carbohydrate and 6 fat exchanges for a large size. A small 4 1/2-oz. plate of nachos has approximately 2 1/2 carbohydrate exchanges and 4 fat exchanges. Enjoying a small 3-oz. serving of onion rings provides 2 1/2 carbohydrate and 3 fat exchanges.
Pizza
Pizza is a popular fast food that you can continue to include in your diabetic exchange diet, as long as you limit your portions. A 4-oz. slice of pepperoni pizza, about 1/8 of a 14-inch pie, provides 2 1/2 carbohydrate, 1 medium-fat meat and 1 1/2 fat exchanges. Plain cheese or vegetarian pizza has 2 1/2 carbohydrate, 2 medium-fat meat and 1 1/2 fat exchanges for a slice that is 6 oz., or about 1/4 of a 12-inch pizza.
Burgers and Chicken
Burgers vary in size, but a typical plain hamburger offers 2 carbohydrate, 1 medium-fat meat and 1 fat exchange. Adding cheese to your burger increases that to 2 1/2 carbohydrate, 4 medium-fat meat and 1 fat exchange. Six chicken nuggets, about a 3 1/2-oz. portion, provides 1 carbohydrate, 2 medium-fat meat and 1 fat exchange. Chicken wings contain 5 medium-fat meat and 1 1/2 fat exchanges per 5-oz. serving, which is about six wings.
