A small McDonald’s ice cream sundae typically contains around 340 calories. The exact calorie count can vary slightly depending on the toppings and ice cream flavor, but a plain small sundae with vanilla soft serve ice cream contains about 340 calories.
Calories in McDonald’s Small Sundae Base
The base of a McDonald’s small sundae consists of vanilla soft serve ice cream. A small size soft serve at McDonald’s contains around 150 calories. Soft serve ice cream is lower in fat and calories compared to regular ice cream because it contains air whipped into it. The small size at McDonald’s contains about 1/3 cup of vanilla soft serve ice cream.
Nutrition Facts for McDonald’s Small Vanilla Soft Serve
| Serving Size | Calories |
|---|---|
| 1/3 cup (76g) | 150 |
As you can see, a 1/3 cup serving of McDonald’s vanilla soft serve contains 150 calories. This is the base calorie count for a plain small McDonald’s sundae before any toppings are added.
Calories from McDonald’s Sundae Toppings
In addition to the soft serve ice cream, a McDonald’s sundae comes with a flavored syrup topping and whipped cream topping. These additional toppings add extra calories to the base ice cream.
Caramel Sundae Toppings
- Caramel syrup: Around 40 calories per 2 tbsp
- Whipped cream: Around 50 calories per 2 tbsp
A caramel sundae with vanilla soft serve and standard toppings adds around 90 calories, bringing the total to about 240 calories.
Strawberry Sundae Toppings
- Strawberry syrup: Around 60 calories per 2 tbsp
- Whipped cream: Around 50 calories per 2 tbsp
A strawberry sundae adds about 110 calories from the toppings, totaling around 260 calories.
Hot Fudge Sundae Toppings
- Hot fudge: Around 100 calories per 2 tbsp
- Whipped cream: Around 50 calories per 2 tbsp
A hot fudge sundae has about 150 calories from just the topping, bringing the total calorie count to around 300 calories.
As you can see, the type of syrup and toppings added can significantly affect the calorie count. Plain or caramel sundaes tend to be lower in calories, while hot fudge and strawberry are higher.
Calories in Additional McDonald’s Sundae Mix-Ins
McDonald’s also allows customers to customize sundaes with various mix-in ingredients. These additional mix-ins will further increase the calorie count.
Oreo Mix-In
- Around 140 calories per package
Adding an Oreo mix-in will add about 140 calories, bringing a plain sundae up to around 300 calories total.
M&M’s Mix-In
- Around 220 calories per package
M&M’s add significant calories, bringing a plain sundae up to around 370 calories total.
Summary of Calorie Counts for McDonald’s Small Sundaes
Here is a summary of the calorie counts for different small McDonald’s sundae options:
| Sundae | Calories |
|---|---|
| Plain vanilla soft serve | 150 |
| Caramel sundae with toppings | 240 |
| Strawberry sundae with toppings | 260 |
| Hot fudge sundae with toppings | 300 |
| Vanilla + Oreo mix-in | 290 |
| Vanilla + M&M’s mix-in | 370 |
As you can see, calories in a McDonald’s small sundae can range from 150 for a plain vanilla soft serve up to 370 calories for one with high-calorie mix-ins and toppings. The most common option, a caramel sundae with whipped cream, contains around 240 calories.
Comparing McDonald’s Sundae Sizes
McDonald’s offers sundaes in three different sizes: small, medium, and large. Here is a comparison of how the calories increase with larger sundae sizes:
| Sundae Size | Calories |
|---|---|
| Small | 240 |
| Medium | 350 |
| Large | 510 |
As you go up in sizes from small to medium to large, the calorie count increases significantly. A medium has about 100 more calories than a small, while a large has over double the calories of a small.
How McDonald’s Sundae Calories Fit Into a Balanced Diet
While McDonald’s sundaes are a tasty treat, they can pack a lot of calories, fat, and added sugar into a small package. Here is how a small McDonald’s sundae fits into a 2000 calorie diet:
- A 240 calorie caramel sundae makes up about 12% of a 2000 calorie daily intake
- The % daily value for fat in a small sundae can be between 15-25% depending on toppings
- A small sundae has around 28-38 grams of sugar, exceeding the daily 25 gram limit for women
As you can see, while a single small sundae may not seem like that much, it can account for over 10% of your total daily calorie needs. The fat and especially the added sugar can quickly add up if consumed regularly or in larger sizes.
Tips for Enjoying McDonald’s Sundaes in Moderation
- Stick to the small size or split a medium with a friend
- Choose lower calorie toppings like caramel instead of hot fudge
- Ask for an extra spoon and share your sundae with someone
- Substitute fresh fruit as a lower calorie topping option
- Treat yourself only occasionally instead of regularly
Overall, enjoying a McDonald’s sundae can be part of a balanced diet when consumed in moderation. Pay attention to portion sizes, frequency, and topping choices to keep calories under control.
Conclusion
A small McDonald’s ice cream sundae typically contains around 240 calories for a caramel sundae with whipped cream. The calories can range from 150 for plain soft serve up to 370 calories for options with high-calorie mix-ins. Larger sundae sizes contain significantly more calories, with a medium at 350 calories and a large at 510 calories. While an occasional small sundae can fit into a healthy diet, portions, toppings, and frequency of intake should be monitored to avoid excess calories. Overall, sharing your sundae and choosing sensible toppings is the best way to enjoy this sweet, icy treat from McDonald’s without going overboard on calories.
