Being diabetic may force you to think before having anything at Dairy Queen; that is why you might wonder what healthy and low-sugar food items they have on their menu.
Unfortunately, Dairy Queen doesn’t have any sugar-free options on their menu, but still, you can choose wisely and go with reduced sugar products such as:
- Chicken BLT salad
- Rotisserie-style chicken bites bowl
- Kids-size vanilla ice cream
- Small strawberry sundae
- Kids-sized hamburgers, etc.
To help you select the best item for your health, we will discuss what can a person with diabetes eat at Dairy Queen without disturbing his blood-sugar levels and the way to customize food.
Healthy Picks for a Diabetic at Dairy Queen
Dairy Queen, also known as DQ, is a chain of soft-serve ice cream and fast-food restaurants.
The first Dairy Queen store opened in Joliet, Illinois, in 1940 and has grown to become one of the largest ice cream chains in the world, with its food quality, taste, and customer trust.
Dairy Queen has more than 7,000 branches in the United States, Canada, and 20 other countries with the slogan “We Treat You Right.”
The restaurant is known for its ice cream, sundaes, Blizzard treats, and other desserts, as well as its fast food menu items such as burgers, chicken sandwiches, and salads.
Sadly, they do not have a specialized menu for diabetic persons like other big food chains. But, it does not mean you must avoid fast food places, including Dairy Queen.
With a bit of research and careful menu selection, you can find options with less sugar that are safe for your health.
Let’s explore some of the food options at Dairy Queen and how a person with diabetes can customize to convert them into a healthy intake.
There are two types of diabetics, one who uses insulin injections and the second who controls their blood sugar through diet and exercise. The insulin dependents should know their insulin-to-carbs ratio, and the second should avoid as many carbs as possible.
1. Chicken BLT Salad
Dairy Queen chicken BLT salad is a healthy option for diabetic people as it has low carbs and is prepared with high-fiber ingredients.
This salad contains crispy or grilled all-white seasoned chicken, shredded cheddar cheese, red cabbage, chopped tomatoes, crispy bacon crumbles, and shredded carrots.
Nutrition summary: chicken BLT salad has 260 calories, 11 grams of good fat, 10 grams of healthy carbs, and 32 grams of protein.
To make it beneficial for your health as a person with diabetes, choose grilled chicken and skip the cheddar cheese slice by instructing the order taker at Dairy Queen.
2. Rotisserie-Style Chicken Bites Bowl
Rotisserie-style chicken bites bowl is another low-carb food item at Dairy Queen and contains no artificial ingredients.
Along with the chicken bites, romaine, diced tomatoes, savory bacon, iceberg lettuce, and shredded cheddar cheese, this Salad Bowl is enriched with taste buds’ captive flavors.
Nutrition summary: rotisserie-style chicken bites bowl from Dairy Queen contains 320 calories, 15 grams of good fat, 10 grams of healthy carbs, and 37 grams of protein.
Skip adding savory bacon and shredded cheddar cheese to make rotisserie-style chicken bites salad bowl healthier.
3. Kids-Size Vanilla Ice Cream
Dairy Queen is known for its iconic soft-serve ice cream, a delicious treat for many people. However, it is high in carbohydrates and sugar, which can be a problem for people with diabetes.
But, a kids-size vanilla ice cream from Dairy Queen is a smaller portion of the iconic soft-serve ice cream that may not be unsuitable for people with diabetes.
Nutrition summary: kids-size vanilla ice cream contains 160 calories, 4.5 grams of good fat, 25 grams of healthy carbs, and 4 grams of protein.
4. Small Strawberry Sundae
Diary Queen’s small strawberry sundae is for you if you are a dessert lover and can’t spend your day without it, even being diabetic.
This strawberry treat comes with plain vanilla soft-serve ice cream with strawberry chunks and syrup on the top.
Nutrition summary: small strawberry sundae from Dairy Queen has 240 calories, 7 grams of good fat, 39 grams of healthy carbs, and 6 grams of protein.
Even though the strawberry sundae is a suitable option for people with diabetes, it’s still important to remember that it does contain sugar and carbs.
5. Kids-Sized Hamburgers
A kids-sized hamburger from Dairy Queen is a smaller version of their regular hamburger. This food item is a good option for people with diabetes as it contains fewer carbohydrates than other menu items such as a large sandwich or a sundae.
This burger comes with one 100% beef patty, ketchup, pickles, and mustard served on a warm toasted bun.
Nutrition summary: kids-sized hamburger from Dairy Queen contains 350 calories, 14 grams of good fat, 35 grams of healthy carbs, and 20 grams of protein.
Ask the staff at Dairy Queen to serve the burgers without the bun if you have diabetes. However, this option will only be available at specific locations.
6. Onion Rings
Onion rings are the best option when looking for snacks at Dairy Queen as a person with diabetes. However, they are deep-fried but still better than eating french fries.
Even a kids-size serving of french fries from Dairy Queen contains a significant amount of carbohydrates, which can cause a hike in blood sugar levels for people with diabetes.
Nutrition summary: onion rings at Dairy Queen has 360 calories, 16 grams of good fat, 48 grams of healthy carbs, and 6 grams of protein.
7. Dilly® Bar – Chocolate
A Dilly® chocolate bar from Dairy Queen is a frozen treat made with a small amount of vanilla ice cream dipped in chocolate and is a good option for diabetic people.
However, remember that these chocolate bars are still sweet and contain sugar, so it’s best to have them in moderation.
Nutrition summary: Dairy Queen’s Dilly® chocolate bar contains 220 calories, 12 grams of good fat, 25 grams of healthy carbs, and 3 grams of protein.
Takeaway
This guide has explored what a person with diabetes can eat at Dairy Queen and the best low-carb and less-sugar options available at this ice cream shop.
We hope you understand the dos and don’ts of eating at Dairy Queen while being diabetic and how to customize and select food suitable for your health.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should People With Diabetes Avoid Chocolate at Dairy Queen?
It is a myth that people with diabetes should avoid chocolate at Dairy Queen; eating chocolate items in moderation is not harmful to diabetics, but remember, excess of anything is wrong.
Is Dairy Queen Launching Sugar-Free Soon?
No, Dairy Queen states that they don’t have sugar-free options right now and have no plan to launch soon as they customize their menu according to market demand. However, they have items with less sugar and calories.
