Starling Fitness: Daily writings on Fitness, Diet, and Health

Sometimes it’s unavoidable. Everyone in the group votes on Dairy Queen and you find yourself at a dieter’s worst nightmare. Whenever this happens to me, I feel like there is no possible way for me to eat healthy, so I do one of two things. I throw caution to the wind and eat everything in my path, or I don’t eat at all, feel left out and binge in private later.

There HAS to be a better way, and there is.

You can enjoy yourself AND eat healthy. You have to do some digging, but there there ARE smart choices at Dairy Queen. Here is the complete listing of nutrition facts for their menu:

• Dairy Queen Calorie Counter (CalorieLab)

You might think your best bet is the Grilled Chicken Sandwich, but it clocks in at 340 calories. Ironically, the Homestyle Hamburger has less calories. So does the hot dog. Here is a list of the best bets for eating healthy at Diary Queen:

If I go to Dairy Queen, I definitely want a dessert. There are some low-calorie choices like the Fudge Bar and Vanilla Orange Bar, but I want something GOOD, so I would save my calories for the Small Chocolate Sundae. That, combined with a hamburger and a side salad clocks me in at 630 calories, which is HUGE, but far less than a binge would have done to me.

Next time the group decides to eat at a place that you feel you can’t eat at, don’t deprive yourself and don’t jump in with two forks. Do your research, find the nutrition facts online and choose something that both feels like a splurge AND fits into your calorie allotment for the day. You can do this, I promise you!

Photo via: Found in Mom’s Basement: Old Dairy Queen sign in Benson, Arizona