Summary of 8 Unhealthiest Fast-Food Ice Creams:
Fast-food ice cream may be a beloved treat but it can also be laden with added sugars and unhealthy fats. A recent article highlights the unhealthiest options from popular fast-food chains. Wendy’s Frosties, McDonald’s McFlurry, Chick-fil-A Cookies & Cream Milkshake, Sonic Blasts, Cold Stone Creamery Reese’s Peanut Butter Dream shake, Dairy Queen Royal Ultimate Choco Brownie Blizzard and Culver’s Concrete Mixers topped the list. The article also provides healthier alternatives, such as frozen yogurt, sorbet or fresh fruit.
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The Most Unhealthy Fast-Food Ice Creams, According to Dietitians
Indulging in creamy, cool ice cream is a beloved pastime, and everyone loves a sweet treat while on the go. However, it would be incorrect to assume that all fast-food ice creams are created equal, especially when you take their nutrition into account. Fast-food chains may tempt you with their delectable ice cream options, but some of these frozen treats pack a hefty calorie punch and are laden with added sugars and unhealthy fats.
Added sugars: The daily recommended allowance for added sugar is 25 grams per day. When you look at many of the fast-food ice cream options, they can be double or triple this amount!
Empty calories: By definition, empty calories come from foods that have a high amount of energy but don’t effectively help you feel full or satisfied after eating. Ice cream is a great example as it is easy to overeat and doesn’t necessarily satiate.
Saturated fats: All dairy will have some amount of saturated fat. However, some fast food ice creams are pumped with palm or coconut oils that increase the total grams of saturated fat and worsen the balance of the item.
Wendy’s Frosty
PER LARGE SIZE: 500 calories, 15 g fat (9 g saturated fat, 0.18 g trans fat), 290 mg sodium, 80 g carbs (0 g fiber, 66 g sugar), 16 g protein
“The plain chocolate frosty has a whopping 27 grams of sugar in just the junior size. If you want to upgrade to a large size on a hot day, you will get 66 grams of sugar and 500 calories.”
McDonald’s McFlurry
PER REGULAR SIZE: 640 calories, 21 g fat (14 g saturated fat, 0.5 g trans fat), 200 mg sodium, 96 g carbs (2 g fiber, 83 g sugar), 13 g protein
“The McFlurry is one of the least healthy fast food ice creams. [It] combines soft-serve ice cream with various mix-ins such as cookies, candies, or chocolate, [and] is high in calories, sugar, and saturated fat.”
Chick-fil-A Cookies & Cream Milkshake
PER SMALL SIZE: 630 calories, 26 g fat (15 g saturated fat, 1 g trans fat), 440 mg sodium, 90 g carbs (1 g fiber, 84 g sugar), 13 g protein
“With 630 calories, [90] grams of carbs, and 15 grams of saturated fat, this milkshake alone meets 100% of your daily saturated fat intake. Not to mention, you’re drinking down 21 packets worth of added sugar.”
Sonic Blast
PER LARGE SIZE: 1,540 calories, 80 g fat (49 g saturated fat, 2 g trans fat), 680 mg sodium, 183 g carbs (3 g fiber, 138 g sugar), 22 g protein
Its signature ice cream—the Blast—may be a fan fave, especially the one that’s blended with M&Ms Minis. However, a large size of this dessert contains over 1,500 calories! Furthermore, its sugar content surpasses that of over 25 Oreo cookies.
Cold Stone Creamery Reese’s Peanut Butter Dream shake
PER LARGE SIZE: 1,610 calories, 110 g fat (50 g saturated fat, 1.5 g trans fat), 740 mg sodium, 134 g carbs (8 g fiber, 118 g sugar), 34 g protein
“A 20-ounce shake contains 1,610 calories, 118 grams of sugar, and 110 grams of fat. The portion size really makes a difference [with this one],” says Sheri Berger, RDN, CDCES.
Dairy Queen Royal Ultimate Choco Brownie Blizzard
PER LARGE SIZE: 1,340 calories, 60 g fat (36 g saturated fat, 1 g trans fat), 620 mg sodium, 186 g carbs (8 g fiber, 148 g sugar), 25 g protein
“This Blizzard is loaded with added sugars, providing around 148 grams per large serving.”
Culver’s Concrete Mixers
PER LARGE SIZE: 1,260 calories, 74 g fat (46 g saturated fat, 3 g trans fat), 340 mg sodium, 126 g carbs (0 g fiber, 109 g sugar), 23 g protein
However, if you opt for a generous portion of chocolate custard blended with Mini M&Ms, brace yourself for a whopping 156 grams of sugar. Regrettably, there’s nothing commendable about this dessert.
Burger King’s ice cream
PER ORDER: 260 calories, 5 g fat (3 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 160 mg sodium, 49 g carbs (1 g fiber, 43 g sugar), 5 g protein
A single serving contains approximately 41 grams of sugar, exceeding the recommended daily intake of added sweetness.
In conclusion, fast-food ice cream is a sweet and tasty treat, but it’s important to keep an eye on its nutrition values. Dietitians recommend opting for small portion sizes, lower-fat options, and choosing lighter toppings instead of sugary syrups, candies, or cookie crumbles as ice cream toppings. Remember to indulge in moderation, and make sure you don’t over-satisfy your sweet tooth with these nutritionally detrimental options.
