A Dairy Queen triple berry smoothie contains approximately 63-74 grams of carbohydrates, depending on the size.
Smoothies have become an increasingly popular drink choice in recent years. With flavors like strawberry, tropical fruit, and mixed berry, it’s easy to see why so many people love smoothies. Not only are they delicious, but smoothies also provide important nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and fiber. However, some smoothies can be high in calories and carbohydrates, so it’s important to pay attention to nutrition facts if you are monitoring carb or sugar intake.
One popular smoothie option is the Dairy Queen triple berry smoothie. This creamy blended drink contains strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and nonfat yogurt. But how many carbohydrates does a Dairy Queen triple berry smoothie contain? In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the carb count for different sizes of this smoothie.
Nutrition Facts for Dairy Queen Triple Berry Smoothie
The nutrition facts for a Dairy Queen triple berry smoothie are as follows:
| Smoothie Size | Calories | Total Fat | Carbohydrates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small (12 oz) | 210 | 2.5 g | 44 g |
| Medium (16 oz) | 280 | 3 g | 59 g |
| Large (20 oz) | 350 | 4 g | 74 g |
As you can see, the carb content ranges from 44 grams in a small smoothie up to 74 grams in a large. The calorie count also increases with larger sizes.
Calculating Carbs in a Smoothie
So what accounts for all those carbohydrates in a Dairy Queen triple berry smoothie? Let’s take a look at the main ingredients:
- Strawberries
- Blueberries
- Raspberries
- Nonfat yogurt
- Fruit juice and fruit purees
- Added sugars
Berries are packed with fiber and antioxidants, but they also contain natural fruit sugars. A cup of strawberries has around 11 grams of carbs, while a cup of blueberries or raspberries each contain about 15 grams. The nonfat yogurt adds more carbs from milk sugars (lactose). Additionally, fruit juices and purees bump up the carb count since they are high in naturally-occurring sugars.
Dairy Queen also confirms that they add sugary syrups to their smoothies. So the combination of fruit sugars and added sweeteners further increases the total carbohydrates.
Carb Count by Ingredients
Here is an approximate carb count breakdown for a large Dairy Queen triple berry smoothie:
- 1 cup strawberries: 11 grams carbs
- 1 cup blueberries: 15 grams carbs
- 1 cup raspberries: 15 grams carbs
- 1 cup nonfat yogurt: 15 grams carbs
- 1/2 cup fruit juice: 15 grams carbs
- Added sweeteners: 13 grams carbs
Total estimated carbs: 74 grams
Tips for Lower Carb Smoothies
If you want to enjoy smoothies but limit your carb intake, here are some tips:
- Choose smaller smoothie sizes like a 12 oz small.
- Ask for no added sweeteners or syrups.
- Select berries over tropical fruits like mangos or pineapples which have more natural sugars.
- Add greens like spinach or kale to balance the carb content.
- Use plain Greek yogurt instead of fruit-flavored yogurt.
- Replace fruit juice with water or unsweetened almond milk.
- Boost fiber with chia seeds, flaxseeds, or hemp hearts.
- Add protein from nut butters, protein powder, or collagen.
The Bottom Line
A Dairy Queen triple berry smoothie is a delicious blended treat, but it does come with a significant carb load. A small size provides around 44 grams of carbohydrates, while a large packs about 74 grams of carbs. The sugars naturally present in the berries, yogurt, and fruit juices contribute to the high count, along with any added sweeteners.
If you are following a low-carb or keto diet, there are ways to customize your smoothie order for fewer carbs. Opting for a smaller size, minimizing ingredients like fruit juices and syrups, and adding fats and proteins can all help create a smoother, lower-sugar smoothie.
At the end of the day, being aware of nutrition facts and ingredients is key. While smoothies can be great options for getting more fruit and dairy, they require balancing and moderating for anyone monitoring their carbohydrate intake.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are smoothies high in carbs?
Smoothies are high in carbs because they contain fruits and fruit juices, which have naturally occurring sugars. Added sweeteners like syrups and honey also increase the carb content. Dairy ingredients like yogurt and milk add lactose, a milk sugar. So all these sugary ingredients combine to result in a high-carb beverage.
Are smoothies healthy?
Smoothies can be healthy in moderation. The blended fruits and vegetables provide important vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. However, the high calorie and carb content of most smoothies means they should be consumed occasionally as a treat, not an everyday drink. Adding veggies and protein creates a more balanced, nutrition smoothie.
Should diabetics drink smoothies?
Smoothies can fit into a diabetic diet, but portion control is key. The American Diabetes Association recommends limiting smoothies to half a cup or 4 ounces. Focus on lower-sugar fruits like berries and add protein and healthy fats. Avoid added sweeteners. Drink smoothies alongside a balanced meal, not on an empty stomach.
What fruits are lowest in carbs?
Some fruits lower in carbs include:
- Strawberries
- Blueberries
- Raspberries
- Blackberries
- Watermelon
- Cantaloupe
- Honeydew melon
- Peaches
- Plums
- Cherries
Focus on incorporating more of these fruits into smoothies for fewer carbs per serving.
What can I add to a smoothie to lower carbs?
Some ways to reduce the carb content of a smoothie include:
- Adding leafy greens like spinach or kale
- Using nut milks or water instead of fruit juice
- Boosting protein with Greek yogurt, nut butter, protein powder, or collagen
- Increasing healthy fats from avocado, chia seeds, flaxseeds, or coconut
- Sprinkling cinnamon to balance blood sugar response
- Stevia or monk fruit to sweeten instead of honey or syrups
Conclusion
Smoothies can be a refreshing and nutritious drink, but they can also pack a hefty dose of carbohydrates from all the fruits and added sugars. A Dairy Queen triple berry smoothie provides around 44-74 grams of carbs, depending on size. Paying attention to nutrition labels, ingredients, and portion sizes can help manage carb intake for anyone monitoring their sugar and calorie consumption.
