How many calories are in a cake shake from Portillos?

A cake shake from Portillo’s is a delicious treat, but it also packs a caloric punch. For people watching their waistline or tracking their daily calorie intake, it’s important to know the calorie content before indulging. This article will provide a detailed breakdown of the calorie count in a Portillo’s cake shake and help readers understand how it fits into their overall diet.

What is a Portillo’s Cake Shake?

For those not familiar, a cake shake from Portillo’s is one of their signature menu items. It’s made by blending soft serve ice cream with chunks of moist chocolate or vanilla cake from their popular cakes. The result is a thick, creamy milkshake with bits of rich cake throughout. It’s indulgent, satisfying, and downright addictive. Portillo’s cake shakes come in three sizes:

– Small (16 oz)
– Regular (20 oz)
– Large (32 oz)

They offer chocolate and vanilla flavors, with options to add mixins like M&M’s or Oreo pieces. A cake shake from Portillo’s is calorie-dense, which is not surprising given the generous portions of ice cream and cake. Let’s analyze the calorie counts for each size and flavor.

Calories in a Small Portillo’s Cake Shake

The small size cake shake at Portillo’s contains around **740 calories** if you opt for chocolate or vanilla. Here is a breakdown of the approximate calorie count:

– Ice cream: 480 calories (16 oz of soft serve)
– Cake: 260 calories (approx. 4 oz)

So in the small shake, the majority of calories come from the ice cream. The cake chunks add on a significant amount as well.

To put 740 calories into perspective, here are some equivalent food comparisons:

– 740 calories is the same as eating 2 McDonald’s cheeseburgers
– 740 calories is equal to about 2.5 Krispy Kreme original glazed donuts
– 740 calories is approximately the amount in a Chipotle chicken burrito with chips and salsa

While 740 calories is certainly indulgent for a “snack”, it could fit into your daily calorie allotment as a small meal or post-workout treat. You’d simply need to account for it in your calorie tracking and adjust your other meals accordingly.

Calories in a Regular Portillo’s Cake Shake

When you size up to a regular (20 oz) Portillo’s cake shake, the calorie count jumps up to **1,000 calories** for both chocolate and vanilla flavors. Here is an approximate calorie breakdown:

– Ice cream: 640 calories (20 oz of soft serve)
– Cake: 360 calories (approx. 6 oz)

The regular shake contains about 30% more calories than the small. Those extra 4 ounces of soft serve and cake make a significant caloric impact.

To put 1,000 calories into context, here are some foods with equivalent calorie amounts:

– 1,000 calories is the same as eating 3 McDonald’s cheeseburgers
– 1,000 calories equals approximately 3 Krispy Kreme original glazed donuts
– 1,000 calories is about the amount in a 12″ Domino’s cheese pizza (1 slice)

A 1,000 calorie shake is a hefty snack. For most people following a standard 2,000 calorie diet, this would equate to half your daily allotment of calories in one milkshake. Definitely enough to consider it a meal, not a casual snack.

Calories in a Large Portillo’s Cake Shake

Hungry folks can order a large 32 oz Portillo’s cake shake, but they pay a high price in calories. The large shake contains around **1,500 calories** for both chocolate and vanilla. Here’s the calorie estimate:

– Ice cream: 960 calories (32 oz of soft serve)
– Cake: 540 calories (approx. 9 oz)

The large cake shake essentially doubles the amount of soft serve and cake compared to the small size. Those extra ingredients translate to nearly double the calories.

Here are some equivalents for 1,500 calories:

– 1,500 calories equals 5 McDonald’s cheeseburgers
– 1,500 calories is the amount in 4.5 Krispy Kreme original glazed donuts
– 1,500 calories approximates the amount in two 12″ Domino’s cheese pizza slices

Downing a 1,500 calorie shake is no small feat. For most people, this exceeds their entire day’s calorie requirements. As an occasional indulgence it can fit into your diet, but have this mega-shake frequently and the calories will lead to fast weight gain. Moderation is key.

Calories With Shake Mixins

Keep in mind the above calorie counts are for cake shakes made with just ice cream and cake. If you add mix-ins, the numbers go up further. Here are some popular Portillo’s shake add-ins and how many calories they contribute:

Mix-In Calories (approx.)
M&M’s 130 per 1/4 cup
Oreo Cookies 140 per 4 cookies
Reese’s Pieces 200 per 1/4 cup

As you can see, those little mix-in treats can add 100-200 calories or more to your shake. It all counts, so be mindful if you’re adding extra candies or cookies on top of an already high-calorie cake shake.

Nutritional Value of a Portillo’s Cake Shake

Now that we’ve covered the calorie content, let’s briefly look at overall nutrition. A Portillo’s cake shake delivers calories mainly from:

– Fat: Mostly coming from the ice cream, shake is high in saturated fat
– Carbs: Mainly from the sugar in the ice cream mix and cake
– Protein: Minimal, from milk products in the ice cream

Beyond calories, fat, carbs and protein, there is little nutritional value in terms of vitamins, minerals, or fiber. Essentially, you’re getting a lot of calories from sugar and fat.

As an occasional treat, it’s fine to enjoy. But with minimal nutrition, the cake shake doesn’t make the healthiest daily snack choice. It’s best balanced with more nutritious foods in your diet.

Strategies to Lighten Up Your Cake Shake

If you want the flavor but less caloric impact, there are some ways to lighten up a Portillo’s cake shake:

– Order the small size instead of regular or large
– Choose vanilla over chocolate to save about 50 calories
– Ask for reduced fat soft serve if available
– Skip the mixins like M&M’s or cookies
– Request fewer cake chunks blended in
– Share your shake with a friend

While these tweaks make a small dent, a cake shake will still be high in calories. But the adjustments can help trim perhaps 200-300 calories for a lighter, more diet-friendly treat.

Should You Have a Cake Shake Every Day?

The bottom line: Portillo’s cake shakes should not be an everyday treat if you are watching your calorie intake or weight. At 740 to 1,500 calories each, most people don’t have room in their diet plan for one of these daily. The indulgence of having a cake shake now and then can fit into a balanced lifestyle, but increased frequency leads to excessive calorie, sugar, and fat intake. Experts recommend limiting high-calorie sweets to a few times per week at most.

If getting a delicious cake shake is your everyday habit, try switching it up with healthier options as well. Smoothies made with fruit, greens, and protein powder offer nutrition without the heavy calorie load. Greek yogurt parfaits or oatmeal bowls also give you creaminess and a sweeter flavor with more fiber and less fat.

Should You Have a Cake Shake If You Have Diabetes?

For people with diabetes, cake shakes present some concerns due to their very high carb counts. All the sugar from the ice cream and cake can rapidly spike blood glucose levels. Dietitians generally recommend limiting concentrated sweets like milkshakes, sodas, and juices to minimize blood sugar fluctuations.

However, patients with well-managed diabetes can occasionally work a small treat like a cake shake into their meal plan. Enjoying this in moderation, along with careful monitoring of blood glucose before and after, allows for the indulgence without severely impacting levels. As always, patients should discuss nutrition choices with their doctor and dietitian to find appropriate adjustments that work for their health status.

Healthier Shake Alternatives to a Cake Shake

If you love milkshakes but want a more nutrition-packed, lower calorie option, here are some healthy shake ideas:

– **Smoothie shake:** Blend Greek yogurt, milk or a milk alternative, frozen fruit like bananas or berries, and greens like spinach or kale. Add nut butter, chia seeds, or protein powder for extra nutrients.

– **Protein shake:** Use a pre-made protein powder or make your own blend with protein sources like whey, soy, or pea protein. Add nut milk, Greek yogurt, fruits, and vegetables.

– **Green juice shake:** Mix green veggies like kale, cucumber, celery, parsley and spinach with celery, lemon juice, ginger and ice. Blend until smooth.

– **Fruit shake:** Blend milk or milk alternative with frozen fruit like mangos, pineapple, strawberries. Sweeten lightly with honey or maple syrup.

– **Breakfast shake:** Blend milk, peanut butter, oats, banana, cinnamon, and ice for a nutrient-packed morning meal.

With a little creativity, you can make healthy shakes at home that satisfy your sweet tooth but also provide valuable vitamins, minerals and filling protein and fiber. Portion control is easier with homemade shakes too.

Conclusion

A cake shake from Portillo’s is an indulgent, delicious treat with its creamy soft serve swirled with moist chunks of chocolate or vanilla cake. But these large, calorie-laden shakes should be enjoyed in moderation, not as an everyday snack. Keep an eye on portion sizes and added mix-ins to help control calories. For a healthier milkshake alternative, blend up nutritious ingredients like fruits, veggies, yogurt, nut butters and protein powder to get a dietary boost along with sweet satisfaction.

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