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Are thin milkshakes healthier than thick ones?

By Drinks Type Editorial TeamPublished Apr 15, 2025Updated Nov 5, 20261 min read
Quick answer

There is no official definition of a thin versus a thick milkshake, so we cannot rank them. USDA lists thick vanilla shake at 112 kcal and thick chocolate at 119 kcal per 100 g, about 350 kcal for an 11 oz container of vanilla. A thinner shake with more milk and less ice cream would be lower, but that is our reasoning, not a USDA figure.

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In this article
  1. What does USDA say about milkshake nutrition?
  2. Is a thin milkshake lower in calories?
  3. What matters more than thickness?

What does USDA say about milkshake nutrition?

USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy) lists only “thick” shakes. Per 100 g and per container (container values are our calculation):

Thick vanilla Thick chocolate
Container 11 oz (313 g) 10.6 oz (300 g)
Calories per 100 g 112 kcal 119 kcal
Fat per 100 g 3.03 g 2.7 g
Carbohydrate per 100 g 17.75 g 21.15 g
Calories per container about 350 kcal about 357 kcal
Carbohydrate per container about 56 g about 63 g

Is a thin milkshake lower in calories?

USDA has no entry for a thin shake, so we have no official number. For comparison, USDA lists whole milk at 61 kcal and 3.25 g fat per 100 g, about half the calories of the thick shakes. A shake made with more milk and less ice cream should land between the two, but the real figure depends on the recipe and size.

What matters more than thickness?

Serving size and added sugar. The NHS advises adults to keep free sugars under 30 g a day, and one thick shake holds well over that amount in total carbohydrate.

If you are managing weight, diabetes or another condition, ask a doctor or dietitian. Restaurant shakes vary by chain, so use the chain’s published nutrition page for exact values.

People also ask

Are thin milkshakes healthier than thick ones?

No official source compares them. USDA lists only thick shakes, at 112 to 119 kcal per 100 g, versus 61 kcal for whole milk.

How many calories are in a milkshake?

USDA lists about 350 kcal in an 11 oz container of thick vanilla shake (our calculation).

How much sugar is in a milkshake?

USDA lists 17.75 g carbohydrate per 100 g for thick vanilla, about 56 g per 11 oz container (our calculation); this includes more than sugar.

General information only, not medical advice. If you have a health condition or are pregnant, ask your doctor before changing what you drink.

Sources

  1. USDA FoodData Central: Milk shakes, thick vanilla (SR Legacy 170884), read 5 Nov 2026
  2. USDA FoodData Central: Milk shakes, thick chocolate (SR Legacy 170883), read 5 Nov 2026
  3. USDA FoodData Central: Milk, whole, 3.25% milkfat, with added vitamin D (SR Legacy 171265), read 5 Nov 2026
  4. NHS: How does sugar in our diet affect our health?, read 5 Nov 2026
Written by Drinks Type Editorial Team · Published Apr 15, 2025 · Updated Nov 5, 2026
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