A Buster Bar is a popular ice cream treat sold at Dairy Queen restaurants. It consists of a chocolate coating over vanilla ice cream, peanuts, and a crisp layer. Buster Bars are a delicious way to satisfy your sweet tooth, but you may wonder just how many calories are in one of these ice cream treats. In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at the calorie count and nutritional information for a Buster Bar from Dairy Queen.
Calories in a Small Buster Bar
A small Buster Bar from Dairy Queen contains around 320 calories. This is the calorie count for a 2.4 ounce bar. Here is a breakdown of the nutritional information in a small Buster Bar:
- Total calories: 320
- Total fat: 18g
- Saturated fat: 9g
- Trans fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
- Sodium: 125mg
- Total carbs: 34g
- Dietary fiber: 1g
- Sugars: 30g
- Protein: 5g
As you can see, the majority of calories in a small Buster Bar come from fat and carbohydrates. The 18g of total fat consists mostly of saturated fat. There are 34g total carbs, which primarily come from 30g of sugar.
So if you are looking for a cool, sweet treat, a small Buster Bar has 320 calories. That’s about 16% of a 2,000 calorie daily diet.
Calories in a Medium Buster Bar
If you opt for a medium Buster Bar instead of a small, the calorie count increases. A medium Buster Bar from Dairy Queen weighs around 3.2 ounces. Here are the nutrition facts for a medium sized Buster Bar:
- Total calories: 430
- Total fat: 24g
- Saturated fat: 12g
- Trans fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
- Sodium: 170mg
- Total carbs: 46g
- Dietary fiber: 1g
- Sugars: 41g
- Protein: 6g
The medium Buster Bar packs 430 calories, which is about 110 more calories than the small size. The extra calories come primarily from more fat, carbohydrates, and sugar.
So if you want a more indulgent Buster Bar treat, the medium size has 430 calories. That’s about 22% of a 2,000 calorie diet.
Calories in a Large Buster Bar
Hungry for an even bigger Buster Bar? Then you may be interested in the calorie count for a large Buster Bar from Dairy Queen.
A large Buster Bar weighs approximately 4.8 ounces. Here is the full nutritional information for a large sized Buster Bar:
- Total calories: 640
- Total fat: 36g
- Saturated fat: 18g
- Trans fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
- Sodium: 255mg
- Total carbs: 69g
- Dietary fiber: 2g
- Sugars: 62g
- Protein: 9g
As you can see, the large Buster Bar contains a whopping 640 calories. That’s more than double the amount in the small size. The extra calories in the large come from higher amounts of fat, carbs, sugar, and protein compared to the smaller Buster Bars.
So if you want to truly indulge in a large Buster Bar from Dairy Queen, be prepared for it to cost you 640 calories. That’s nearly one third of a 2,000 calorie daily diet from just one ice cream treat!
Comparing Buster Bar Sizes
To summarize and compare the calorie counts in different sized Buster Bars:
| Buster Bar Size | Calories |
|---|---|
| Small (2.4 oz) | 320 |
| Medium (3.2 oz) | 430 |
| Large (4.8 oz) | 640 |
As the table illustrates, the calorie count increases significantly with each larger size of Buster Bar. The small has 320 calories, medium has 430 calories, and large has 640 calories.
So paying attention to the size you choose can help reduce the calorie impact if you want to enjoy a Buster Bar without going overboard. Sticking with the small or splitting a larger Buster Bar with a friend are good options to control calories.
Nutritional Pros and Cons
Now that we’ve explored the calories in Buster Bars, what are some of the nutritional pros and cons to keep in mind?
Pros
Some of the positive nutritional aspects of Buster Bars include:
- Provide protein – Buster Bars contain 5-9g of protein depending on size.
- Low cholesterol – They only have 15-30mg cholesterol.
- Minimal sodium – Sodium content ranges from 125-255mg.
- No trans fats
So while Buster Bars are high in calories, sugar, and fat, they do provide a bit of protein without excessive cholesterol, sodium or trans fats.
Cons
Some of the negative nutritional qualities of Buster Bars are:
- High in calories – Regular sizes range from 320 to 640 calories
- High in saturated fat – Contains 9-18g saturated fat per bar
- High in sugar – 30-62g of sugar in each Buster Bar
- Low fiber – Only 1-2g of fiber per serving
- Low vitamins and minerals
As you can see, the downsides are that Buster Bars are very high in calories, sugar, and unhealthy saturated fats, while being low in fiber and micronutrients.
So while an occasional Buster Bar can be a tasty indulgence, it is best not to make it a daily habit due to the high calorie, sugar and saturated fat contents. Splitting with a friend or ordering the smallest size can help limit the calorie impact.
Tips for Enjoying Buster Bars in Moderation
Here are some tips for enjoying Buster Bars from Dairy Queen in moderation as an occasional treat:
- Order the small size or split a larger Buster Bar with a friend to control portions.
- Eat slowly and savor each bite to prevent overindulging.
- Drink water with your Buster Bar to help fill up.
- Pair your Buster Bar with a source of protein like nuts to help balance blood sugar.
- Stick to just one Buster Bar and avoid adding any extra blizzards, milkshakes or food items.
- Consider sharing your Buster Bar for dessert after eating a healthy meal.
- Skip the peanuts if you have nut allergies or just don’t prefer them.
Using some of these tips can help keep your indulgence in check and prevent going way overboard on calories whenever you crave a Buster Bar. Enjoying in moderation along with an overall healthy lifestyle is key.
Healthier Dessert Alternatives
If you love frozen treats but want to make a healthier choice, here are some options with fewer calories and less sugar and fat than a Buster Bar:
- Low-fat frozen yogurt – Try adding fresh fruit like berries or pineapple for extra nutrients.
- Ice cream sandwich made with reduced fat cookies.
- Fruit popsicles – Opt for ones made from 100% fruit juice.
- Small serving of light ice cream – Look for varieties made with skim milk.
- Sorbet – Has less fat than ice cream.
You can also check Dairy Queen’s options for reduced sugar blizzard flavors or smaller size cones to help control portions and calories.
While a Buster Bar is a delicious occasional indulgence, making it a habit can lead to excess calories and fat. Using moderation strategies and choosing healthier frozen dessert options some of the time can help balance your cravings.
Conclusion
Buster Bars from Dairy Queen are a tasty ice cream treat, but should be enjoyed in moderation due to their high calorie, sugar and saturated fat contents. A small Buster Bar contains around 320 calories, while a medium has 430 calories, and a large packs a whopping 640 calories. Strategies like portion control, savoring slowly, pairing with protein, and substituting healthier alternatives some of the time can help keep your indulgences in check. Overall, being mindful of the calorie impact and making Buster Bars an occasional dessert rather than a daily habit is the healthiest approach.
