Milk shakes, thick vanilla
Whole food · Dairy and Egg Products
Photo: Wikipedia
A thick vanilla milkshake is a rich, creamy, and indulgent beverage, typically made with vanilla ice cream and milk, offering a smooth, velvety texture and a sweet, comforting vanilla flavor. Nutritionally, it is a calorie-dense treat, providing quick energy primarily from its high sugar content, with a modest amount of protein and fat.
Calorie split: 14% protein · 62% carbs · 24% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for its classic, sweet vanilla flavor and luxuriously thick, cold texture that serves as a nostalgic comfort food and a popular dessert indulgence.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
Its high sugar content can cause rapid blood-sugar spikes, and the calorie density may be a concern for those managing weight or diabetes. To counteract this, consider a smaller portion size or pairing it with a source of protein or fiber (like a handful of nuts) to slow sugar absorption.
Key benefits
- Provides a quick source of energy from carbohydrates.
- Contains calcium and protein from dairy ingredients.
- Can be a palatable way to increase calorie intake for some individuals.
- Offers a comforting and familiar flavor profile.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The term 'milkshake' originally referred to an eggnog-like whiskey drink in the 1880s, not the ice cream-based treat we know today.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 74.5 g |
| Energy | 112 kcal |
| Energy | 468 kj |
| Protein | 3.9 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 3.0 g |
| Ash | 0.91 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 17.8 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.00 g |
| Total Sugars | 17.8 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 146 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.10 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 12.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 115 mg |
| Potassium, K | 183 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 95.0 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.39 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.05 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.01 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 2.3 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.03 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.20 mg |
| Niacin | 0.15 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.37 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.04 mg |
| Folate, total | 7.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 7.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 7.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 14.3 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.52 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 25.0 ug |
| Retinol | 25.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 5.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 91.0 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.05 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 48.0 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 1.2 ug |
| Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) | 1.2 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 0.20 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 1.9 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.10 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.06 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.03 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.08 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.09 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.30 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.80 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.37 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.88 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.07 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.76 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.11 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.07 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.04 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 12.0 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
| Tryptophan | 0.05 g |
| Threonine | 0.17 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.23 g |
| Leucine | 0.38 g |
| Lysine | 0.31 g |
| Methionine | 0.10 g |
| Cystine | 0.04 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.19 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.19 g |
| Valine | 0.26 g |
| Arginine | 0.14 g |
| Histidine | 0.10 g |
| Alanine | 0.13 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.29 g |
| Glutamic acid | 0.81 g |
| Glycine | 0.08 g |
| Proline | 0.37 g |
| Serine | 0.21 g |
FAQ
Is a vanilla milkshake a good source of protein?
It contains some protein from the milk and ice cream, but it's not considered a high-protein food. The protein content is modest compared to its high sugar and calorie content.
Can I make a healthier version at home?
Yes. You can blend frozen bananas, a splash of milk, and vanilla extract for a creamy, lower-sugar alternative. Using Greek yogurt or protein powder can also boost the protein content.
Why does a milkshake feel so filling?
The combination of cold temperature, thick texture, and the mix of fat, sugar, and some protein creates a strong sense of satiety, even though the nutrients are primarily simple carbohydrates.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 1.12 kcal/g · 14% calories from protein · 0.0 g fiber · 17.8 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 0.52 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.