Group · Sweet foods
Strawberry sundae
The strawberry sundae is a frozen dessert of American origin that pairs a base of vanilla ice cream with a strawberry coulis or sauce, sometimes topped with whipped cream and pieces of fruit. Served in an individual cup, it became popular in fast-food restaurants and ice cream parlours as a sweet, refreshing treat. With around 211 kcal per 100 g, it provides 30.8 g of carbohydrate, 2.37 g of protein and 8.7 g of fat, but no fibre. It is an occasional sugary product, to enjoy at the end of a meal or as a summer pleasure. Its milky sweetness and fruity note make it a much-loved classic, to include in moderation in a balanced, varied diet.
Macronutrient breakdown
Nutrition table per 100 g
| Calories | 211 kcal |
| Kilojoules | 886 kJ |
| Protein | 2,4 g |
| Carbohydrate | 30,8 g |
| Fat | 8,7 g |
| Fibre | 0,4 g |
Tips
The strawberry sundae remains a sugary product for pleasure, to be eaten in moderation. A sensible portion is around 100 to 150 g, or one small cup. Because it combines ice cream and sweet sauce, its calorie density rises quickly if you add whipped cream, sprinkles or biscuit. To enjoy its freshness without overdoing it, savour it slowly and make it an occasional dessert rather than a daily habit.
Nutrition facts and profile: with 30.8 g of carbohydrate per 100 g, most of the sundae’s calories come from simple sugars (lactose, sucrose, and fructose from the strawberry). Its glycaemic index is fairly high because of the cold and the added sugar. The 2.37 g of protein come from the milk, and the 8.7 g of fat from the dairy fat. The absence of fibre limits the feeling of fullness, hence the value of pairing it with a balanced meal.
Practical tips:
- Keep it well in the freezer and eat it soon after taking it out to preserve its texture.
- For a lighter version, go for a reduced-sugar sorbet or a frozen yoghurt topped with fresh fruit.
- Add real strawberries rather than a very sweet coulis for more freshness and flavour.
- Avoid piling up several sugary desserts on the same day.
Variations and family: the sundae also comes in caramel or chocolate versions, which you can find as the caramel sundae and the chocolate sundae. You can also explore the whole range of frozen desserts and sweets in the sugary foods family.
For active people: its high-glycaemic-index carbohydrates can help out after intense exercise to refill glycogen stores, but its fat slows absorption slightly. For a real recovery snack, it is better to choose more complete sources or high-protein snacks suited to your goals. The sundae is above all an occasional pleasure.
Weight control: sugars and fat add up in this dessert, with no fibre to fill you up. When following a balanced diet, keep it as an occasional treat, eaten mindfully, and compensate with meals rich in vegetables and lean protein.