Quick Answer
A McDonald’s soft serve cone contains around 170 calories. The exact calorie count can vary slightly depending on the cone size and toppings added. A regular soft serve cone without toppings contains about 170 calories.
Calories in McDonald’s Soft Serve Cones
McDonald’s offers soft serve ice cream in a variety of cone sizes and with different toppings. Here are the calorie counts for some of the most common options:
Regular Cone
| Cone Size | Calories |
|---|---|
| Small | 170 |
| Medium | 200 |
| Large | 260 |
A small McDonald’s soft serve cone without toppings contains about 170 calories. A medium cone has around 200 calories, while a large cone has 260 calories.
Cone with Toppings
Adding toppings will increase the calorie count of a McDonald’s soft serve cone. Here are some common toppings and how many calories they add:
| Topping | Added Calories |
|---|---|
| Hot Fudge | 50 |
| Caramel | 60 |
| Strawberry Topping | 20 |
| Oreo Cookies | 140 |
| M&M’s | 220 |
For example, a small soft serve cone with hot fudge would be around 220 calories. A medium cone with Oreo cookies would contain about 340 calories. Toppings can add anywhere from 20 to 220+ extra calories to the cone.
McDonald’s Cone Nutrition Facts
In addition to calories, McDonald’s provides complete nutrition information for its soft serve cones:
Small Vanilla Cone Nutrition Facts
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 170 |
| Total Fat | 7g |
| Saturated Fat | 4.5g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 15mg |
| Sodium | 65mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 24g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0g |
| Sugars | 18g |
| Protein | 3g |
A small vanilla cone contains 170 calories, 7g of fat, 24g of carbohydrates including 18g of sugar, and 3g of protein. It also provides some calcium and iron.
Medium Vanilla Cone Nutrition Facts
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 200 |
| Total Fat | 9g |
| Saturated Fat | 5g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 20mg |
| Sodium | 75mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 28g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0g |
| Sugars | 23g |
| Protein | 3g |
The medium size has 200 calories, 9g fat, 28g carbs, and 3g protein.
Factors Affecting McDonald’s Soft Serve Calories
Several factors impact the calorie content of a McDonald’s soft serve cone, including:
Cone Size
As shown above, larger cones contain more calories. The small has 170 calories while the large has 260. Choose a smaller cone to reduce calories.
Toppings
Toppings can add 50-220+ extra calories. Go for light toppings like strawberry sauce rather than heavy options like M&M’s. Or skip the toppings altogether.
Flavor
McDonald’s offers flavors beyond vanilla including chocolate, twist (half chocolate/half vanilla), and seasonal options. Chocolate soft serve tends to be slightly higher in calories than vanilla.
Location Variations
Nutrition information can vary slightly across McDonald’s locations. The calorie counts provided are averages but may not match every restaurant’s precise counts.
Healthiest Ways to Order McDonald’s Soft Serve
While soft serve is high in sugar and not the most nutritious option, there are ways to enjoy it more healthfully:
– Choose a small cone size
– Opt for vanilla over chocolate
– Skip toppings or choose light options like strawberry sauce
– Share your cone with a friend
– Opt for a cup instead of a cone to avoid extra carbs and calories
– Pair it with something more nutritious like apple slices for balance
One small vanilla soft serve cone has 170 calories – a decent treat. But upgrades like size, flavor, and toppings can cause the calories to stack up fast.
Comparisons With Other McDonald’s Desserts
McDonald’s soft serve cones have fewer calories than most of their other dessert options. Here’s how they compare:
| Dessert Item | Calories |
|---|---|
| Small vanilla cone | 170 |
| Hot fudge sundae | 510 |
| McFlurry with M&M’s | 530 |
| Chocolate chip cookie | 170 |
| Baked apple pie | 260 |
| Strawberry banana smoothie (small) | 140 |
The soft serve cone is lower in calories than heavy options like sundaes and McFlurrys. It’s comparable to lighter choices like smoothies and cookies.
Comparing McDonald’s to Other Fast Food Chains
McDonald’s soft serve calorie counts are similar to other major fast food chains:
| Restaurant | Calories (Small Vanilla Cone) |
|---|---|
| McDonald’s | 170 |
| Burger King | 190 |
| Wendy’s | 180 |
| Dairy Queen | 190 |
| Arby’s | 190 |
McDonald’s small soft serve cone calories are very similar to cone calories at Burger King, Wendy’s, Dairy Queen, and Arby’s. Values range from 170-190 calories across the major chains.
Low-Calorie Alternatives to Soft Serve
If you’re looking for refreshment under 170 calories, here are some lower-calorie McDonald’s options to consider:
Smoothies
A small strawberry banana smoothie has 140 calories – lower than a small soft serve cone.
Iced Coffee
Iced coffee and iced tea at McDonald’s contain under 40 calories for a small. Add some milk or creamer and still stay under 100 calories.
Fruit & Walnut Salad
This salad has 70 calories without dressing, allowing you to create a low-calorie side or snack.
Fruit & Maple Oatmeal
Order the oatmeal with fruit and brown sugar for 120 calories. A lighter breakfast option.
Cinnamon Melts
These contain 130 calories for a pack of three, giving you a sweet treat for fewer calories than soft serve.
The Nutritional Value of McDonald’s Soft Serve
McDonald’s soft serve ice cream does provide some nutritional value in addition to calories and sugar. Each serving provides:
Protein
3 grams of protein in a small cone, which contributes to filling you up.
Calcium
10% Daily Value (20mg) in a small cone. Calcium is important for bone health.
Iron
4% Daily Value (0.7mg) in a small cone. Iron carries oxygen through the body.
However, soft serve is lacking in:
Fiber
Contains no fiber, which is important for digestion and heart health.
Vitamins & Minerals
Lacks other vitamins and minerals like vitamins A and C, potassium, and magnesium.
Overall, soft serve cones provide a tasty treat, but don’t offer much nutritional benefit beyond a bit of calcium, iron, and protein. They are low in overall nutrients compared to whole foods.
Conclusion
A McDonald’s soft serve cone contains around 170 calories for a small vanilla cone without toppings. Cones range from 170 calories for a small up to 260 calories for a large. Toppings like hot fudge, caramel, Oreos, and M&M’s can add 50-220+ extra calories. While soft serve tastes great, it’s high in sugar and low in nutrition compared to whole foods. Enjoy cones in moderation and balance them out with healthier choices to keep your overall diet nutritious. Stick to small cones, lighter flavors, and minimal toppings to keep your treat under 200 calories.