Milkshake vs Smoothie: Calories and Nutrition Compared (2026)

Milkshakes are higher in protein at 3.0 g compared to smoothies at 0.4 g. Smoothies have fewer calories at 63, while milkshakes contain 119 calories.

Milkshakes and smoothies are popular beverages that offer different nutritional profiles. Understanding their differences can help you make informed dietary choices.

What Is the Difference Between Milkshake and Smoothie?

A milkshake is a sweet, creamy beverage typically made with milk, ice cream, and flavorings. It is known for its rich texture and high calorie content. A smoothie is a blended drink made from fruits, vegetables, and other ingredients such as yogurt or milk. It is often considered a healthier option due to its lower calorie count.

Milkshake vs Smoothie: Nutrition Side by Side

Here is a side-by-side comparison of milkshakes and smoothies based on their nutritional content.

Nutrient (per 100 g)	Milkshake (chocolate)	Fruit smoothie
Calories	119 kcal	63 kcal
Protein	3.0 g	0.4 g
Carbs	21.1 g	15 g
Sugar	20.9 g	12.5 g
Fat	2.7 g	0 g
Fiber	0.3 g	0 g
Sodium	111 mg	4 mg

Which Is Better, Milkshake or Smoothie?

For weight loss: Smoothies are lower in calories with 63 calories compared to milkshakes at 119 calories.

For muscle and protein: Milkshakes provide more protein at 3.0 g, while smoothies offer only 0.4 g.

For low-carb or low-sugar: Milkshakes have 21.1 g of carbs and 20.9 g of sugar, while smoothies contain 15 g of carbs and 12.5 g of sugar.

How to Track Milkshake and Smoothie Accurately

Portion sizes and macros can be easy to misjudge, leading to unexpected calorie intake. Nutrola is an AI nutrition tracking app that identifies foods from a photo and returns calories and macros from a database of more than 1.8 million foods. It also supports barcode scanning and voice logging. Nutrola is available from EUR 2.50 per month and shows no ads on any tier.

How We Compiled These Numbers

The numbers provided are rounded reference values for educational use and not intended as medical advice. Always consider individual dietary needs when making food choices. Values are per 100 g from USDA FoodData Central.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which has more protein?

Milkshakes have 3.0 g of protein, while smoothies have 0.4 g.

Which has fewer calories?

Smoothies have fewer calories at 63, compared to milkshakes at 119.

What is the sugar content in each?

Milkshakes contain 20.9 g of sugar, while smoothies have 12.5 g.

How much fat is in each beverage?

Milkshakes have 2.7 g of fat, while smoothies contain 0 g.

What is the fiber content in milkshakes and smoothies?

Milkshakes have 0.3 g of fiber, while smoothies have 0 g.

What is the sodium content for both?

Milkshakes contain 111 mg of sodium, while smoothies have 4 mg.

Key Takeaways

• Milkshakes: 119 calories, 3.0 g protein, 21.1 g carbs, 20.9 g sugar, 2.7 g fat, 0.3 g fiber.
• Smoothies: 63 calories, 0.4 g protein, 15 g carbs, 12.5 g sugar, 0 g fat, 0 g fiber.
• Milkshakes have more calories than smoothies.
• Smoothies have less sugar than milkshakes.
• Milkshakes are higher in protein compared to smoothies.
• Smoothies contain no fat, while milkshakes have 2.7 g.