Drumstick ice cream is a classic frozen treat that many people enjoy. With its waffle cone, vanilla ice cream, and chocolate and nut coating, it provides a delicious combination of flavors and textures. However, when monitoring calorie intake, the question arises – how many calories are actually in one original Drumstick ice cream cone?
In this article, we will provide a quick answer upfront, then dive into the details, looking at the calorie breakdown of each component of a Drumstick cone. Understanding the calorie content will allow you to enjoy this tasty treat while still being mindful of your daily calorie goals.
Quick Answer
One original Drumstick cone contains 220 calories. This is the total calorie count for all components – the waffle cone, vanilla ice cream, chocolate coating, and peanuts.
Calories in Each Component
Let’s break down the calorie content of each part of a standard Drumstick cone:
Waffle Cone
The waffle cone provides a crunchy, sweet base for the ice cream. A standard Drumstick cone contains about 55 calories from the waffle cone alone. The cone is made from flour, sugar, vegetable oil, and eggs baked into a crispy waffle texture.
Vanilla Ice Cream
Vanilla ice cream is the creamy main component of a Drumstick. In a standard size Drumstick cone, there are approximately 120 calories coming from the vanilla ice cream. Ice cream of course contains cream, milk, sugar, egg yolks, and natural vanilla flavoring.
Milk Chocolate Coating
What would an ice cream cone be without chocolate? The chocolate dip coating on a Drumstick contributes around 35 calories. It is made from cocoa, condensed milk, and lower fat milk. The sweet chocolate pairs nicely with the flavors of vanilla ice cream and waffle cone.
Peanuts
Finally, the chopped peanuts on top add texture and flavor. In a standard Drumstick, the peanuts provide roughly 10 calories. While peanuts are high in protein and healthy fats, a small amount still contributes calories.
Nutrition Facts
Looking at the nutrition label of an original Drumstick can provide more detail on the calorie contents. Here are the nutrition facts for a standard Drumstick cone:
| Nutrition Facts | Amount Per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 220 |
| Total Fat 12g | 15% |
| Saturated Fat 5g | 25% |
| Trans Fat 0g | |
| Cholesterol 25mg | 8% |
| Sodium 115mg | 5% |
| Total Carbohydrate 29g | 10% |
| Dietary Fiber 0g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 20g | |
| Includes 20g Added Sugars | 40% |
| Protein 3g | |
| Vitamin D 0mcg | 0% |
| Calcium 35mg | 2% |
| Iron 0.4mg | 2% |
| Potassium 55mg | 2% |
This shows the typical nutritional profile of an original Drumstick. Key points to note are the 220 total calories, as well as 12g of fat, 29g of carbohydrates, and 20g of sugar.
Calorie Range
When looking at different brands and sizes of drumstick cones, the calorie count can vary slightly. Here is the typical calorie range for drumstick cones:
- Fun-size or Mini Drumstick: About 50 calories
- Regular Drumstick: Between 200-250 calories
- Jumbo or Large Drumstick: Can be 300 calories or more
So regular drumsticks from leading brands like Dreyers and Nestle contain about 220-240 calories, while smaller sizes or ice cream shop specialty versions may be higher or lower in calories. Check nutrition labels to compare calorie differences between drumstick products.
Ways to Reduce Calories
If trying to cut back on calories, there are some ways to still enjoy drumstick cones while limiting the calorie intake:
- Choose a mini or fun-size drumstick with around 50 calories.
- Share one regular drumstick cone with a friend or family member.
- Opt for a drumstick without the nuts to eliminate those additional calories.
- Create your own lower calorie version using light vanilla ice cream, a low-calorie waffle cone, and lower sugar chocolate dip.
- Eat only half the drumstick cone and save the other half for later.
With some simple adjustments, you can consume fewer calories while still enjoying the nostalgic ice cream on a stick.
Calories Compared to Other Ice Cream Treats
To put the 220 calories in perspective, here is how drumstick cones compare calorie-wise to some other popular ice cream treats:
| Ice Cream Treat | Calories |
|---|---|
| Drumstick cone | 220 calories |
| Ice cream sandwich | 140-180 calories |
| Fudgsicle pop | 40-70 calories |
| Haagen-Dazs ice cream bar | 280-360 calories |
| Popsicle | 50-80 calories |
| Chocolate-dipped ice cream cone | 270-340 calories |
As you can see, a regular drumstick cone lands somewhere in the middle calorie-wise, containing more than a simple popsicle or fudgsicle, but less than a premium ice cream bar. The cone and chocolate coating result in a higher calorie count than a simple ice cream sandwich. So enjoy drumsticks in moderation as a 200 calorie treat.
Calorie Balance for Weight Goals
When incorporating drumstick cones into your diet, be mindful of balancing these calories within your daily calorie goal.
For example, if your target is 2000 calories per day, one 220 calorie drumstick accounts for just over 10% of that. So you’d need to adjust other meals and snacks to stay under your target. Or if trying to lose weight aiming for 1500 calories a day, you’d need to account for the drumstick taking up close to 15% of that allowance.
Some ways to balance out the calories include:
- Having a lighter breakfast and lunch before enjoying a drumstick as an afternoon snack.
- Pairing it with a lower calorie dinner of salad and lean protein.
- Cutting out other sweets or treats that day to “save” calories for the drumstick.
- Adding extra exercise like a jog or bike ride to burn additional calories.
With some planning and adjustments, you can eat drumsticks while meeting your calorie goals for healthy weight management.
Health Impact of Drumsticks
Beyond just calories, it’s also helpful to consider the health impacts of consuming drumstick ice cream regularly. Here are some things to keep in mind:
- Sugar content – With 20g of sugar in one drumstick, consuming them frequently can lead to blood sugar spikes and crashes. They have 40% of recommended daily added sugar max.
- Fat content – The 12g of fat per drumstick can quickly add up when eating multiple times a week, potentially increasing cholesterol.
- Lack of nutrients – Drumsticks provide calories with minimal nutritional value. They lack protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals present in whole foods.
- Portion distortion – The 220 calories in one drumstick may seem like a lot for a “snack”, especially for smaller children or adults.
In moderation, drumstick ice cream can be incorporated into an overall healthy diet for most people. But overdoing it could lead to excess sugar, fat, and empty calories that impacts health over time. Consider drumstick cones an occasional treat, not an everyday snack.
Conclusion
An original drumstick ice cream cone contains approximately 220 calories, consisting of the calories from the waffle cone, vanilla ice cream, chocolate coating, and peanuts. The exact calorie count can vary slightly by brand and cone size. While drumstick cones can be enjoyed occasionally as a nostalgic treat, be mindful of portion sizes and frequency to balance calories. Consider sharing with a friend or choosing mini cones to help control calories. Pair drumstick treats with nutrient-rich whole foods and exercise for the best impact on health. Monitoring overall calorie intake will allow you to splurge on special treats like drumsticks while still meeting your health goals.