Who Serves A Healthier Classic Chocolate Milkshake, McDonald's Or Sonic?

A classic chocolate milkshake can make a fast food run feel like something extra special. Paired with a savory burger and crispy fries, a thick, creamy shake can be the highlight of an otherwise ordinary meal. While many fast food chains offer shakes, McDonald's and Sonic are two of the most popular, and McDonald's has a clear edge over Sonic for those looking for a healthier option while still satisfying a chocolate craving.

Chocolate shakes from both chains can be part of a healthy diet. But for those looking for a lighter option or for those with certain dietary restrictions, McDonald's is the better choice. A medium chocolate shake — McDonald's can't call it a milkshake — is 650 calories and has 85 grams of sugar, 17 grams of total fat, and 310 milligrams of sodium — about 13% of the recommended daily value. It also has 65 milligrams of cholesterol — about 22% of the recommended daily value — 15 grams of protein, and 107 grams of carbohydrates.

By comparison, a medium chocolate shake from Sonic has 720 calories, including 250 calories from fat. Additionally, the shake has 95 grams of sugar, 27 grams of total fat, and 720 milligrams of sodium — about 31% of the recommended daily value. The shake also has 100 milligrams of cholesterol — about 33% of the recommended daily value –14 grams of protein, and 112 grams of carbohydrates.

While McDonald's might outdo Sonic on nutrition, which chain serves the better shake ultimately comes down to personal taste. Both chains take different approaches to their chocolate shakes, and those differences can make one more appealing depending on what you're looking for. One notable difference is that Sonic makes its shakes with real ice cream, while McDonald's uses a soft-serve base made with milk and other ingredients, giving the two shakes differing flavors and textures.

We taste-tested 10 fast food chocolate shakes, including those from McDonald's and Sonic. We ranked them ninth and fourth, respectively. We found the McDonald's shake to be not quite as thick as advertised, but it still had plenty of classic chocolate syrup flavor. The Sonic shake lacked an overwhelming chocolate flavor, but was thick, rich, and still enjoyable.

A good chocolate shake can make your favorite burger even better with a perfect marriage of sweet and savory. McDonald's classic chocolate shake can be a great option for those looking for a lighter option to indulge their sweet tooth, while Sonic offers a more decadent option that feels like dessert. No matter which you choose, both are chocolatey and delicious.