BURGER KING, Cheeseburger & Diabetes
Moderate glycemic impact — consider portion size. Glycemic load of 15.5 per 100g.
✅ Nutrition data verified · GL 15.5/100g · GI 68.1 · TIER 3 ⚠️ GI: Subcategory Estimate
GI estimated from food subcategory average — not directly tested on this food. [1] [3]
How This Food Affects Blood Sugar
Nutrition Profile
This Version vs the Family
On protein, this version lands mid-range: 14.6 per 100g, inside a family spread of 2.8 to 18.2 per 100g. For saturated fat, this one sits in the middle of its BURGER KING family: 6.8 per 100g against a 1.9-8.6 per 100g spread.
Verdicts split across the family: the gentlest option is No cheese (GL 8.4) and the heaviest is French fries (GL 24.4); this one is eat in moderation. The BURGER KING family's GL range is 8.1-27.8 per 100g across 18 versions, enough spread to make the specific choice count. See the numbers side by side: Onion Rings, CROISSAN'WICH with Sausage and Cheese, Hamburger.
What to Watch For
⚠️ Low Dietary Fiber
BURGER KING, Cheeseburger contains only 1.0g of fiber per 100g — far below the recommended threshold for diabetes-friendly carbohydrates. Without fiber to slow digestion, the starches break down rapidly in the small intestine, causing a quicker glucose release into the bloodstream. The American Diabetes Association recommends choosing high-fiber carbohydrates (≥3g per serving) to help stabilize post-meal blood sugar. Pairing BURGER KING, Cheeseburger with high-fiber vegetables or legumes can partially offset this effect.
ADA Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes (2024). Diabetes Care, 47(Suppl 1).
⚠️ High Saturated Fat
BURGER KING, Cheeseburger contains 9.1g of saturated fat per serving — above the 5g threshold recommended by the ADA and AHA. High saturated fat intake is associated with increased cardiovascular risk, which is the leading cause of death in people with diabetes. While this food may have a manageable glycemic load, consider it an occasional choice rather than a daily staple.
ADA Cardiovascular Disease and Risk Management (2024). Diabetes Care, 47(Suppl 1). · AHA Dietary Guidelines.
⚠️ High Sodium
BURGER KING, Cheeseburger provides 801mg of sodium per serving — significant relative to the ADA's daily recommendation of <2,300mg. High sodium intake can raise blood pressure, compounding cardiovascular risk in diabetes. If you eat this food, balance it with lower-sodium choices throughout the rest of the day.
ADA recommends <2,300mg sodium per day for most adults with diabetes. Diabetes Care, 47(Suppl 1), 2024.
Related Fast Foods Options
🟡 Eat in Moderation · GL 11.7/100g
🟢 Low GL · GL 9.6/100g
🔴 Limit · GL 20.5/100g
Glycemic Load by Serving Size
| Portion | Weight | Carbs | Glycemic Load | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ½ Serving | 66g | 15.6g | 10.2 | Moderate |
| Standard Serving | 133g | 31.5g | 20.6 | High |
| Restaurant Portion | 266g | 63.1g | 41.2 | High |
GL ≤10 = Low (Friendly) · 11–19 = Moderate · ≥20 = High (Limit).
The page-level verdict is based on GL per 100g; this table shows how portion size changes the actual GL you get.
Practical Guidance
💡 Pair With Protein & Fiber
Eating alongside lean protein and non-starchy vegetables slows gastric emptying and blunts the post-meal blood sugar rise.
💡 Balance Sodium
Pair with low-sodium foods throughout the rest of your day. Fresh herbs and spices can replace salt as flavoring.
💡 Check Your Own Response
Individual blood sugar responses vary. Use a glucose meter to understand how this food affects you personally.
💡 Glycemic Load Over Glycemic Index
GL accounts for both the speed AND amount of carbohydrate, making it more practical for real-world eating than GI alone.
FAQ
How does BURGER KING Cheeseburger rate for blood sugar control?
BURGER KING Cheeseburger sits at GL 15.5 — not the worst, not the best. The key is portion control and pairing. A small amount alongside vegetables and lean protein works well.
Where does BURGER KING Cheeseburger sit on the glycemic load scale?
BURGER KING Cheeseburger's glycemic load: 15.5 (per 100g). Unlike GI which only measures speed, GL accounts for actual carbohydrate quantity — making it the more practical number for diabetes management.
What happens to blood sugar after eating BURGER KING Cheeseburger?
Blood sugar impact of BURGER KING Cheeseburger: Moderate. The key factors are its GI (68.1) and available carb content (22.7g/100g), which together produce a GL of 15.5.
Why is fiber important for blood sugar control?
Dietary fiber slows carbohydrate digestion and absorption, leading to a more gradual blood sugar rise. BURGER KING Cheeseburger has only 1.0g of fiber per 100g, which is one reason its glycemic load (15.5) is moderate. The ADA recommends choosing carbs with at least 3g of fiber per serving. Adding high-fiber foods like vegetables or legumes to your meal can help compensate.
Is the GI value accurate?
The GI of 68.1 for BURGER KING Cheeseburger is estimated (Tier 3), not directly ISO-tested on this specific food. It is based on the weighted average GI of foods in the Fast Foods category from the International GI Tables (Atkinson et al., 2021). Actual GI may vary by variety, ripeness, cooking method, and individual response. We display estimated values with full transparency so you can make informed decisions.
Is the sodium level a concern?
BURGER KING Cheeseburger contains 801mg of sodium per serving — well above the ADA's recommendation of <2,300mg daily. High sodium intake can raise blood pressure, compounding cardiovascular risk — the leading cause of death in people with diabetes. If you eat this food, balance it with lower-sodium choices during the rest of the day. Fresh herbs, spices, and citrus can replace salt as flavoring.
What about the saturated fat content?
At 9.1g of saturated fat per serving, BURGER KING Cheeseburger exceeds the 5g threshold that the ADA and AHA recommend for diabetes and heart health. Saturated fat raises LDL cholesterol and is associated with increased cardiovascular risk. While this food may have a manageable glycemic load, it is best as an occasional choice rather than a daily staple. Prioritize foods with unsaturated fats (olive oil, avocado, nuts, fish) for everyday eating.
Methodology & Sources
Data Tier: TIER 3 — estimated from category average
Glycemic Index (GI): 68.1 — subcategory_avg:Fast Foods. Source: International GI Tables (Atkinson, Brand-Miller et al., Diabetes Care, 2021). University of Sydney GI Research Service.
GL (per serving, 133.0g) = 15.5 × 133.0 ÷ 100 = 20.6
Nutrition Data: USDA FoodData Central, SR Legacy Release (April 2018). FDC ID: 170329. Data are in the public domain (CC0 1.0).
GL Classification: ≤10 = Low (Low GL), 11–19 = Moderate (Eat in Moderation), ≥20 = High (Limit). Based on University of Sydney Glycemic Index Foundation classification.
⚠️ GI value is estimated, not directly ISO-tested on this specific food. Actual GI may vary by variety, cooking method, and individual glycemic response.
Cite this page: GlycemicWise. “BURGER KING, Cheeseburger — Glycemic Load & Diabetes Reference.” GlycemicWise, July 2026. https://glycemicwise.com/foods/burger-king-cheeseburger/
Dietary reference — not medical advice. This page provides evidence-based dietary reference information for general educational purposes. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Individual blood sugar responses vary significantly. Always check your blood glucose to understand your personal response to foods, and talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian before changing your diet. Data sources are cited above and publicly available from the USDA and the University of Sydney Glycemic Index Research Service.