Can You Treat Yourself to a Dairy Queen Blizzard and Still Lose Weight? 🍦🤔

different ice cream types in cups

If you’re going to Dairy Queen and aren’t going to order anything because it’s not “approved” on your weight loss program –why did you even leave home? 😝 Skipping your favorite frozen dessert is like going to the beach and not stepping on the sand–what’s the point?

Here’s the real deal – Completely eliminating your favorite desserts might sound like the “right thing” to do if you’re trying to lose weight. However, that can sometimes backfire because you end up craving your favorite foods so often that you over-indulge. Instead, you should learn what items on the menu would fit into your daily calorie intake without compromising your weight loss goals. It’s all about balance! 

This article is your go-to guide in finding the healthiest Dairy Queen Blizzard, including alternatives in case you crave salty snacks. Bookmark this page and refer to it whenever you step into a Dairy Queen, so you can indulge smartly without derailing your progress! 🍦✨

5 Healthiest Dairy Queen Blizzard You Should Eat

If you’re looking for a low-calorie Dairy Queen Blizzard, look no further. We’ve ranked the top 5 smartest choices based on their nutritional value. Our list breaks down the calorie count of all small-sized Blizzards, from the highest to the lowest, so you can enjoy your treat guilt-free.

For your convenience, we have created a handy comparison table:

Blizzard (Small)Calories Total Fat (g)Saturated Fat (g) Sugar (g)Protein (g)
Oreo Cookie62023 116712
Reese's Peanut Butter Cup58024 136715
Strawberry Cheesecake52019 126112
Butterfinger52018 116012
Banana Split46013 96211
 
Calories620
Fat23g
Saturated Fat11g
Trans Fat0.5g
Sodium500mg
Carbs92g
Sugar67g
Protein12g

5. Oreo Cookie Blizzard

The Oreo Cookie treat is one of the healthiest Dairy Queen Blizzards, and has less sugar and trans fat content compared to the Heath and Snickers Blizzards.

If you love Oreo Cookies but would like to cut calories even further, consider ordering the Mini-sized treat instead of a Small to reduce the calories by 240. That way, you will enjoy a bite-sized Blizzard to satisfy your craving while still making progress towards your weight loss goals.  

 
 
Calories580
Fat24g
Saturated Fat13g
Trans Fat1g
Sodium310mg
Carbs80g
Sugar67g
Protein15g

4. Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Blizzard - Highest Protein Option 💪

Who doesn’t love a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Blizzard for its sweet and creamy taste? Despite its high sugar content, the calorie count is 580 and should fit your calories and macros once in a while.  

To compare this Blizzard with other items on the menu, the M&M Chocolate Candy Blizzard has a shocking  630 calories and 85g of sugar. Hence, if you want a slightly healthier alternative, opt for the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup in Mini or Small sizes.

 
 
Calories520
Fat19g
Saturated Fat12g
Trans Fat0.5g
Sodium270g
Carbs74g
Sugar61g
Protein12g

3. Strawberry Cheesecake Blizzard

The combination of cheesecake, strawberries, and vanilla is the one no one can resist. This Blizzard is undoubtedly one of the most flavorful ones and contains 520 calories in Small. Like all blizzard varieties, you can always order a Mini version to cut on calories and sugar even further.

 
 
Calories520
Fat18g
Saturated Fat11g
Trans Fat0.5g
Sodium240mg
Carbs79g
Sugar60g
Protein12g

2. Butterfinger Blizzard - Lowest Sugar Option 👌

The Butterfinger Blizzard is another solid option because it has the lowest amount of sugar of any blizzard.  It also delivers the perfect salty-sweet crunch. If you love peanut butter, stick with this treat, as this creamy Blizzard has the lowest sugar count.

 
 
Calories460
Fat13g
Saturated Fat9g
Trans Fat0.5g
Sodium190mg
Carbs75g
Sugar62g
Protein11g

1. Banana Split Blizzard - Best Low-Calorie Choice 👑

The lowest-calorie  Dairy Queen Blizzard (for the small size) is undoubtedly Banana Split. This small-sized frozen treat has only 460 calories and 13g of fat. It is refreshing and filling and offers a flavorful combination of fruit and ice cream.

 

5 Low Calorie Dairy Queen Foods

hamburger menu with vegetables

What if you swing into Dairy Queen but need to eat lunch or dinner before enjoying ice cream,  or what if you mostly crave salty foods? Fortunately, there are a few lower-calorie  Dairy Queen items on the menu that can fit into your weight loss plan. Here are our top 5 picks: 

 
Calories400
Fat18g
Carbs36g
Sugar8g
Fiber1g
Protein22g

5. Original Cheeseburger

The classic cheeseburger at Dairy Queen is about 400 calories. It’s packed with melted cheese, a beef patty, pickles, and flavorful ketchup. If you’re craving one, go for it. But always remember to eat your favorite high-calorie foods in moderation.  

 
 
Calories390
Fat24g
Carbs27g
Sugar3g
Fiber1g
Protein16g

4. Cheese Dog or Chilli Dog

Both cheese dogs and chili dogs have about 390 calories each. They are perfect comfort foods when you want to skip the Blizzard and enjoy something a little heartier.

 
 
Calories350
Fat14g
Carbs35g
Sugar7g
Fiber1g
Protein20g

3. Hamburger

Dairy Queen has a classic hamburger with 350 calories and 14g of fat. With 20 grams of protein, it’s a filling burger that you could consider next time you crave salty foods at Dairy Queen. 

 
 
Calories330
Fat19g
Carbs25g
Sugar3g
Fiber1g
Protein12g

2. Hot Dog

A simple hot dog without any toppings contains around  330 calories. It’s a simple and classic beef hot dog that shouldn’t derail your weight loss progress (as long as you enjoy it in moderation and with other healthy foods to create a balanced calorie deficit). 

 
 
Calories260
Fat5g
Carbs46g
Sugar8g
Fiber3g
Protein7g

1. Pancakes

It's not particularly salty, but Dairy Queen offers lower-calorie breakfast pancakes with only 260 calories. Of course, you can order pancakes with ham or bacon, but remember that will bump the calorie count up to roughly 390 calories. Regardless of which you choose, check the nutritious value if you are trying to create a calorie deficit and lose weight.  

How to Reduce Calories When Eating at Dairy Queen

Here are a few practical tips if you want to reduce calories when eating out at Dairy Queen: 

  • Choose Smaller Sizes – The best strategy is to opt for Mini or Small Blizzards instead of larger sizes to cut back on calories.

  • No Extras – It’s very tempting to order an extra whipped cream, double mix-ins, or drizzle but try to skip those to cut on sugar and unnecessary calories.

  • Go for Fruit-Based Options – Choose desserts like the Banana Split Blizzard to have more fruit mix-ins and enjoy a flavorful dessert with fewer calories. 

  • Compare Before Ordering – Use our Blizzard calorie comparison to see which dessert best suits your weight-loss goals and calorie intake

Final Words

You can enjoy a Dairy Queen blizzard… Or burgers or fries… Or pizza… Or donuts… Or chocolate and wine.. Or ANY of your favorite food and STILL lose weight.

As long as you’re in a calorie deficit, you can eat ANYTHING and lose weight!

In the Freedom with Food Formula, my signature coaching program, I will teach you the exact steps for HOW to lose weight while still eating blizzards and ALL of your other favorite foods while still creating a calorie deficit! NO foods or drinks are EVER "off-limits" when we work together!

Losing weight doesn’t mean giving up on foods you love. With Strong with Sarah, you’ll learn how to enjoy everything in moderation, fuel your body properly, and regain confidence—all while still treating yourself!

Sarah Pelc Graca

A seasoned professional in the field of nutrition and fitness, with a successful coaching track record spanning almost a decade. With a focus on helping her clients create foundational nutrition habits, an empowered mindset, and accountability, Sarah and the SWS team have guided over 350 clients towards sustainable weight loss while still allowing them to enjoy their favorite foods.

Recognized as a top weight loss coach by Yahoo! News and featured in prestigious publications such as The Wall Street Journal and Forbes, Sarah has established herself as a reputable health and fitness expert. She is also the lead instructor at Cyclebar Northville, a boutique indoor cycling studio in Michigan.

https://strongwithsarah.com/about-me
Previous
Previous

FOODS that make you FAT!

Next
Next

SOCIAL MEDIA vs. REALITY