How we scored it
The Dairy Queen Vanilla Shake is heavily processed with multiple harmful ingredients such as high fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors, and various emulsifiers and stabilizers. These factors significantly detract from its nutritional quality despite the presence of milk.
Nutrition facts
| Per 1 medium shake | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 660 | |
| Total fat | 23g | 29% |
| Saturated fat | 16g | 80% |
| Trans fat | 1g | |
| Cholesterol | 60mg | 20% |
| Sodium | 260mg | 11% |
| Total carbohydrate | 97g | 35% |
| Dietary fiber | 0g | 0% |
| Sugars | 85g | |
| Protein | 16g | 32% |
Dairy Queen's published nutrition. Percentages are of the daily value on a 2,000-calorie diet.
Key ingredients
8SugarBad
Sugar adds sweetness but can contribute to excess calorie intake and potential health issues if consumed in large amounts.
See more about Sugar →Corn SyrupBad
Corn syrup is a sweetener that can lead to rapid blood sugar spikes and excess calorie consumption.
See more about Corn Syrup →Mono and DiglyceridesBad
These are emulsifiers used to improve texture but are processed additives with potential health concerns.
See more about Mono and Diglycerides →Artificial FlavorBad
Artificial flavors are synthetic additives used to enhance taste, which some consumers prefer to avoid.
See more about Artificial Flavor →Polysorbate 80Bad
This emulsifier is used to stabilize products but has raised concerns regarding potential health effects.
See more about Polysorbate 80 →CarrageenanBad
Carrageenan is a thickener that has been linked to inflammation in some studies, leading to its negative perception.
See more about Carrageenan →High Fructose Corn SyrupBad
This sweetener is linked to health concerns such as insulin resistance and excess calorie intake.
See more about High Fructose Corn Syrup →Natural FlavorsBad
Natural flavors are additives that can contain various compounds, some consumers prefer to avoid for purity reasons.
See more about Natural Flavors →More desserts at Dairy Queen
Scout's score is an independent read of Dairy Queen's published ingredient statement and nutrition for this item, last scored September 2026. Recipes change — check the chain for today's menu. Scout takes no payment from any chain. How we score · Full Dairy Queen menu.