The Wendy’s Frosty-Ccino is a frozen coffee drink made with freshly brewed coffee, milk and Wendy’s famous Frosty vanilla frozen dairy dessert. It comes in small, medium and large sizes.
For people watching their calorie intake or following a specific diet plan, knowing the calorie count of menu items is important. This article will provide a detailed breakdown of the calories and other nutrition information in a small Wendy’s Frosty-Ccino.
Calories in a Small Wendy’s Frosty-Ccino
A small 12 oz Wendy’s Frosty-Ccino contains approximately:
- 270 calories
- 9 grams of fat
- 41 grams of carbohydrates
- 41 grams of sugar
- 9 grams of protein
The majority of the calories come from carbohydrates, specifically sugar. The Frosty-Ccino gets its sweetness from the vanilla Frosty mix made with sugar and corn syrup. The milk and coffee also contribute small amounts of naturally occurring sugars like lactose.
To put the calorie count in perspective, here are some comparisons:
- A small Wendy’s Frosty-Ccino has about the same number of calories as a small McDonald’s McCafe Mocha (260 calories)
- It contains slightly more calories than a small Starbucks Caffe Vanilla Frappuccino (230 calories)
- It has approximately half the calories of a small Wendy’s chocolate Frosty (540 calories)
So while not the lowest calorie coffee drink around, a small Frosty-Ccino is a reasonably healthy option if you don’t overdo the portion size. The milk provides protein and calcium, and it has less fat and calories than many dessert-like coffee beverages.
Nutrition Information in Detail
Here is a more detailed look at the nutrition facts for a small Wendy’s Frosty-Ccino:
Serving Size
- 12 fl oz (354 ml)
Calories
- Total Calories: 270
- Calories from Fat: 90
Macronutrients
- Total Fat: 9g, 14% Daily Value
- Saturated Fat: 5g, 25% DV
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 20mg, 7% DV
- Sodium: 180mg, 8% DV
- Total Carbohydrate: 41g, 14% DV
- Dietary Fiber: 0g, 0% DV
- Sugars: 41g
- Added Sugars: 38g
- Protein: 9g
Micronutrients
- Vitamin D: 15% DV
- Calcium: 15% DV
- Iron: 0% DV
- Potassium: 8% DV
To summarize, a small 12 oz Frosty-Ccino provides 270 calories, 9g fat, 41g carbs, 41g sugar and 9g protein. The main vitamins and minerals it contains are vitamin D (15% DV), calcium (15% DV), and a small amount of potassium.
Ingredients in Wendy’s Frosty-Ccino
Understanding exactly what goes into the Frosty-Ccino can provide more context on its calories and nutritional value. Wendy’s lists the ingredients as:
- Freshly Brewed Coffee
- Milk
- Sugar
- Corn Syrup
- Whey
- Natural and Artificial Flavors
- Mono and Diglycerides
- Guar Gum
- Locust Bean Gum
- Carrageenan
The main ingredients providing calories and carbs are the sugar, corn syrup and milk. Natural flavors like vanilla are also added.
The guar gum, locust bean gum and carrageenan serve as stabilizers and thickeners to give the Frosty-Ccino its smooth, creamy texture.
So while not the healthiest coffee drink possible, the Frosty-Ccino uses relatively simple, recognizable ingredients to create its signature sweet vanilla and coffee flavor profile. No artificial sweeteners or high fructose corn syrup.
How Frosty-Ccino Compares to Other Coffee Drinks
To put the nutritional value of the Frosty-Ccino in a broader context, here is how it stacks up against some other popular iced and frozen coffee drinks in a small 12 oz serving:
Starbucks Frappuccinos
| Drink | Calories | Sugar (g) | Protein (g) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caffe Vanilla Frappuccino | 230 | 33 | 3 |
| Caramel Frappuccino | 270 | 38 | 3 |
| Mocha Cookie Crumble Frappuccino | 370 | 50 | 4 |
The Frosty-Ccino has comparable calories and sugar to a basic Starbucks frappuccino, but more protein from the milk.
McCafe Frappes
| Drink | Calories | Sugar (g) | Protein (g) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mocha Frappe | 260 | 33 | 7 |
| Caramel Frappe | 340 | 43 | 9 |
Again, the Frosty-Ccino is similar in calories but tends to have a bit less sugar and protein than McDonald’s versions.
Other Coffee Drinks
| Drink | Calories | Sugar (g) | Protein (g) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small Dunkin’ Donuts Frozen Coffee | 180 | 23 | 3 |
| Small Tim Hortons Iced Capp | 180 | 28 | 4 |
| Small Cold Stone Creamery Coffee Lovers Only | 280 | 44 | 3 |
The Frosty-Ccino tends to be higher in calories and sugar than iced coffee drinks like Dunkin Donuts and Tim Hortons. It’s more in line with specialty coffee-dessert blends like Cold Stone.
So in general, while not outrageously high in calories for a coffee drink, the Frosty-Ccino does lean toward the more indulgent, sweet end of the spectrum compared to other fast food and coffee shop options. The tradeoff is you get a nicehit of protein from the milk.
Tips for Reducing Calories
If you want to enjoy a Frosty-Ccino but make it a bit healthier, here are some easy tips:
- Order the small size instead of medium or large
- Request less pumps of flavor syrup if the sweetness is overpowering
- Ask for skim or low-fat milk instead of whole milk
- Top with a sprinkle of cinnamon or cocoa powder instead of caramel or whipped cream
- Pair it with a lower calorie breakfast or lunch item like oatmeal or grilled chicken sandwich
- Stick to just one instead of multiple coffee drinks in a day
Even just ordering a small instead of regular Frosty-Ccino can save you 90 calories and 12g of sugar.
You can also offset the calories by balancing it out with healthier choices for the rest of your meals and snacks that day. Moderation is key when enjoying sweet coffeehouse treats.
Should You Drink Frosty-Ccino Every Day?
The Frosty-Ccino isn’t the worst coffee drink option around, but is it healthy enough to enjoy daily as your morning or afternoon pick-me-up? Here are some factors to consider:
- At 270 calories and 41g sugar for a small, the calories and added sugar can add up fast if consumed daily.
- The milk provides protein and vitamins like calcium and vitamin D, but you can get those nutrients from healthier dairy sources.
- There are more nutrient-dense drinks to get your caffeine fix, like black coffee or tea.
- Non-dairy milks like almond or oat milk can provide creaminess with fewer calories.
- Dessert-like coffee drinks are best reserved for occasional treats rather than daily staples.
Overall, having a small Frosty-Ccino a few times a week is fine for most healthy adults. But daily consumption may push your calorie, fat, sugar, and sodium intake above optimal levels.
Here are some healthier tips for getting your daily coffee fix:
- Have plain black coffee some mornings
- Alternate with unsweetened iced coffee or cold brew
- Go for skim or low-fat milk over whole milk
- Try adding cinnamon or cocoa for flavor over syrups
- Substitute with tea on some days
Saving the Frosty-Ccino for 2-3 times a week and having it in a small size can let you enjoy the sweet coffee treat while maintaining a balanced diet overall. Moderation and variety is key.
Conclusion
A small Wendy’s Frosty-Ccino contains approximately 270 calories, 9g fat, 41g carbs, 9g protein and 41g sugar.
While not extremely low in calories and added sugar compared to black coffee, it has moderate calorie and sugar content compared to other coffee-blended drinks.
Enjoying the Frosty-Ccino in sensible portions a few times a week can let you indulge in a sweet frozen coffee treat while maintaining healthy daily nutrition habits. Just be mindful of your total daily calorie intake.
Overall, the Frosty-Ccino provides a refreshing, creamy way to enjoy coffee and milk blended with Wendy’s famous vanilla Frosty. Watch your portion sizes and you can feel good about an occasional Frosty coffee break.
