Beyond Ice Cream at Dairy Queen

What you can eat at DQ.

by Robin Miller, M.S

If you've been to Dairy Queen lately, you've probably noticed that they don't just "do" ice cream anymore. They offer sandwiches, salads, burgers, fries, hot dogs and other savory items so you can enjoy a meal BEFORE you have dessert! The problem is that many items are so packed with calories and fat, you should skip dessert for a week if you indulge. For example, order their Bacon Cheese GrillBurger and down 710 calories, 42 grams of fat (16 of which are saturated) and 1,490 mg of sodium (more than half a day's worth). Even if you're tempted, skip their Chicken Strip Basket - with Country Gravy Hot Dip because four strips will cost you 1110 calories, 48 grams of fat and a killer 2,960 mg of sodium. Lost your appetite? Hold on . . . Dairy Queen DOES offer healthier selections. Read on to find out what we recommend!

• BBQ Pork Sandwich
  Enjoy a sweet and savory pork sandwich on a tender, wheat bun—and it's not a skimpy portion either—for just 280 calories. This is a much healthier choice than most of their other sandwiches, such as the Crispy Chicken Sandwich (560 calories, 28 grams of fat) and the 1/2 lb. GrillBurger without cheese (790 calories, 47 grams fat). Choose this over the Grilled Turkey Sandwich (which sounds innocent, but isn't) and eliminate 730 calories and 45 grams of fat.
  Calories 340
  Fat 12g
  Saturated Fat 1.5g
  Carbohydrates 41g
  Fiber 1g
  


• DQ Vanilla Soft Serve
  Vanilla is America's favorite flavor so we had to include Dairy Queen's classic soft serve version. A family staple for eons, you can feel good about this sweet treat for all family members. Order this instead of the Large Dipped Cone and avoid 460 calories and 24 grams of fat.
  Calories 210
  Fat 7g
  Saturated Fat 4.5g
  Carbohydrates 31g
  Fiber 0g
  


• Grilled Chicken Salad
  Fresh lettuce topped with diced tomatoes, shredded Cheddar cheese and grilled chicken strips. Hearty and refreshing. Choose either the Fat Free Thousand Island or Fat Free Ranch dressing and add 35 calories (and zero fat). Opt for this over their Crispy Chicken Salad (boasting fried chicken) and dodge 240 calories and 12 grams of fat. The sodium is high (580 mg) so watch your intake for the rest of the day.
  Calories 220
  Fat 7g
  Saturated Fat 3.5g
  Carbohydrates 14g
  Fiber 4g
  

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