A medium Oreo Blizzard from Dairy Queen contains approximately 850 calories, with 43 grams of fat and 122 grams of carbohydrates.
A Classic Favorite: The Oreo Blizzard
The Oreo Blizzard from Dairy Queen is one of the most iconic fast food desserts around, known for its creamy vanilla soft serve mixed with crushed Oreo cookies. This indulgent treat has captured the hearts (and taste buds) of many over the years, becoming a staple of the Blizzard menu. But, like many delicious desserts, it’s important to understand what you’re really consuming when you dig into one of these sweet creations.
If you’re watching your calorie intake, or if you simply want to know how this treat fits into your overall diet, it’s worth taking a closer look at its nutritional content. In this article, we’ll break down the calorie count of a medium Oreo Blizzard, explore its fat and carbohydrate content, and discuss how this dessert stacks up compared to other options on the menu.
The Oreo Blizzard: Nutritional Breakdown
A medium Oreo Blizzard is a hefty dessert that combines the richness of Dairy Queen’s vanilla soft serve with the crunch and flavor of Oreo cookies. It’s a dessert that packs in both decadence and calories, so it’s important to understand what’s inside.
1. Calories in a Medium Oreo Blizzard
A medium Oreo Blizzard contains approximately 850 calories. This is a substantial number for a single dessert, so it’s essential to factor this into your daily calorie intake if you’re tracking your food consumption. The calorie count in a Blizzard is largely derived from its combination of soft serve ice cream, Oreo cookies, and the other ingredients that contribute to its creamy texture and indulgent flavor.
Here’s a breakdown of the calories in a medium Oreo Blizzard:
- Soft Serve Ice Cream: The vanilla soft serve ice cream is the base of the Blizzard and is the primary source of calories. A typical medium Blizzard contains a generous portion of ice cream, contributing around 550 calories.
- Oreo Cookies: The crushed Oreo cookies provide flavor, texture, and a bit of extra sweetness. Depending on the exact amount of crushed Oreos added, they contribute roughly 200 calories.
- Other Ingredients: Dairy Queen also adds a small amount of sugar, cream, and other stabilizers, which contribute to the remaining 100 calories.
2. Fat Content in a Medium Oreo Blizzard
The fat content in a medium Oreo Blizzard is significant, making up a large portion of its total calorie count. A single Blizzard contains about 43 grams of fat. This includes both saturated fat and trans fat, which are important to note if you’re concerned about heart health or managing your fat intake.
- Saturated Fat: Out of the total 43 grams of fat, around 23 grams come from saturated fat. This is a high amount, considering that the American Heart Association recommends limiting saturated fat intake to no more than 13 grams per day for a 2,000-calorie diet.
- Trans Fat: The Blizzard contains 1 gram of trans fat. Trans fat is commonly found in processed foods and is associated with an increased risk of heart disease. While it’s always best to avoid trans fats as much as possible, the amount in a single Blizzard is relatively low.
Here’s how the fat breakdown looks:
Nutrient |
Per Medium Oreo Blizzard (16 oz) |
Calories |
850 |
Total Fat |
43 grams |
Saturated Fat |
23 grams |
Trans Fat |
1 gram |
Cholesterol |
80 milligrams |
Sodium |
320 milligrams |
Total Carbohydrates |
122 grams |
Dietary Fiber |
2 grams |
Sugars |
93 grams |
Protein |
15 grams |
Calcium |
15% of the Daily Value (DV) |
Iron |
10% of the Daily Value (DV) |
3. Carbohydrates and Sugars in a Medium Oreo Blizzard
When it comes to carbohydrates, the Oreo Blizzard doesn’t hold back. A single medium Blizzard contains 122 grams of carbohydrates, which is quite high for a dessert. These carbohydrates come primarily from the ice cream and the Oreo cookies.
- Sugars: A large portion of the carbohydrates in the Blizzard comes from sugar. In fact, there are 93 grams of sugar in a medium Oreo Blizzard. This is an extremely high amount of sugar, especially considering that the American Heart Association recommends limiting added sugar to about 36 grams per day for men and 25 grams per day for women.
If you have a sweet tooth or are indulging in a special treat, this high sugar content is something to consider, especially if you're managing your sugar intake for health reasons.
- Fiber: The medium Oreo Blizzard also contains 2 grams of dietary fiber, which is a small but noteworthy amount. While this doesn’t offset the sugar content, it’s always good to note the fiber for digestive health.
The Impact of Dairy Queen’s Oreo Blizzard on Your Diet
While indulging in a Blizzard can be a delightful experience, it’s important to consider how such a high-calorie dessert fits into your daily nutritional needs. A medium Oreo Blizzard contains a significant amount of fat, sugar, and carbohydrates, so it should be enjoyed in moderation.
1. Moderation is Key
If you’re watching your weight or working toward specific fitness goals, it’s essential to enjoy calorie-heavy treats like the Oreo Blizzard in moderation. While it’s perfectly fine to indulge every now and then, regularly consuming items with high sugar and fat content can contribute to weight gain and may affect your overall health.
One way to keep things balanced is to enjoy your Blizzard as a treat rather than a regular part of your diet. Consider saving it for special occasions or as a reward for a week of healthy eating. This approach helps you stay on track with your health goals while still enjoying a tasty dessert now and then.
2. Alternative Blizzard Sizes
If you want to enjoy a Blizzard without going all out on calories, consider choosing a smaller size. Dairy Queen offers several sizes, including the mini Blizzard, which contains fewer calories and is a great option if you’re trying to reduce your intake. The mini Oreo Blizzard has approximately 350 calories, and it still delivers a satisfying taste with a smaller portion size.
Here’s how the calories and nutritional content break down for the mini and large sizes:
Size |
Calories |
Total Fat |
Carbs |
Sugars |
Mini Oreo Blizzard |
350 |
17 grams |
48 grams |
38 grams |
Medium Oreo Blizzard |
850 |
43 grams |
122 grams |
93 grams |
Large Oreo Blizzard |
1,170 |
57 grams |
163 grams |
124 grams |
As you can see, the mini Oreo Blizzard offers a much lighter option while still letting you enjoy the flavor of the Oreo Blizzard. The large Oreo Blizzard, on the other hand, is more than double the size of the medium, and it contains a significant calorie count—so it’s best saved for those times when you’re truly craving something decadent.
3. Healthier Alternatives
If you’re looking for something with fewer calories but still want to satisfy that sweet tooth, there are other options at Dairy Queen that might be better suited to your nutritional needs. For instance, Dairy Queen also offers the Frozen Lemonade, which has fewer calories and sugar content compared to their ice cream-based desserts.
If you’re craving something with a similar texture but with fewer calories, consider opting for a Blizzard that uses non-dairy or lighter ingredients. The Dairy Queen Blizzard Treat with the Dipped Cone option is a lower-calorie alternative that might appeal to those watching their calorie intake.
Conclusion: How Many Calories Are In A Medium Oreo Blizzard?
A medium Oreo Blizzard from Dairy Queen contains a hefty 850 calories, with significant amounts of fat (43 grams), sugar (93 grams), and carbohydrates (122 grams). This makes it a delicious but indulgent treat, perfect for those times when you’re craving something sweet and satisfying. However, if you’re mindful of your calorie intake or managing your sugar consumption, it’s important to enjoy this treat in moderation.
For a lighter option, you can opt for the mini Oreo Blizzard, or consider exploring other menu items with fewer calories. Either way, the Oreo Blizzard remains a beloved dessert for those looking to treat themselves to something extra special.