The Top 10 Food Calorie Searches of 2017, According to Google
What did we do before the internet? Especially when it comes to the [nutritional information](https://www.livestrong.com/myplate/) of our favorite food and drink (or just the newest and most unusual). But thanks to [Google](https://trends.google.com/trends/yis/2017/US/), all the information is right at our fingertips.
Overview
What did we do before the internet? Especially when it comes to the nutritional information of our favorite food and drink (or just the newest and most unusual). But thanks to Google, all the information is right at our fingertips. Curious what food and drink people were just dying to know the calorie counts for? Once again, the famous search engine pulls through and has compiled a list of just that. Here's what people were searching for this year, along with the calorie information. (You didn't think we'd leave you hanging, did you?)
1. Unicorn Frappuccino
Capitalizing on the unicorn food trend, Starbucks unveiled its Unicorn Frappuccino the third week of April 2017. The dreamy drink was created with "a sweet dusting of pink powder, blended into a creme Frappuccino with mango syrup and layered with a pleasantly sour blue drizzle." Then it was topped with vanilla whipped cream and a sprinkle of sweet pink and sour blue powder.
Though plenty of people rushed directly to the coffee chain's nearest location, many were quick to point out what a calamitously caloric sugar bomb it was. A tall contains 280 calories and a whopping 39 grams of sugar (that's way more than the American Heart Association's recommended daily sugar intake). If you're craving a sweet drink, you can try our healthier DIY version.
Calories: 410 (grande)
2. Grand Mac
Early in 2017, McDonald's began serving two new sizes of its classic Big Mac. One of those was the Grand Mac. (Spoiler alert: See No. 4 of this list for the other.) It's a whopping third-of-a-pound of "100 percent real beef seasoned with salt and pepper sandwiched between a sesame seed bun. All dressed with special sauce, crisp lettuce, onions, pickles and two slices of American cheese."
According to the McDonald's website, this monster burger contains 860 calories, 52 grams of fat and 1,470 milligrams of sodium. And if you add medium fries and a Coke, you're up to 1,420 calories, 68 grams of fat and 1,760 milligrams of sodium. Basically, nearly your whole day's worth of calories in one meal.
Calories: 860
Read more: 11 of McDonald's Biggest Diet Wreckers From Around the World
3. Naked Chicken Chalupa
Setting aside the kind of awkward (and misleading) name, the Naked Chicken Chalupa is a doozy. It's a regular taco filled with "fresh shredded lettuce, diced ripe tomatoes, cheddar cheese and creamy avocado ranch." But instead of the standard tortilla shell, it's all contained in "marinated, all-white crispy chicken."
More crazy than the hybrid taco itself was the dizzying pace at which the fast-food chain removed and added the item from the menu. It launched in January, was pulled in March, and then brought back (slightly altered as the Bacon Ranch Naked Chicken Chalupa) in October. But how long that will last is anyone's guess. You're better off going with one of these 15 healthy taco recipes under 300 calories.
Calories: 440
Read more: How Do I Eat Healthy at Taco Bell?
4. Mac Jr.
Here it is — the little brother to the Big Mac. As previously mentioned (see No. 2 on this list), McDonald's announced two new sizes of its most popular burger — the Grand Mac and Mac Jr. It's topped with the same special sauce, lettuce, onions, pickles and American cheese as the other Macs, but at a fraction of the calories. Despite having only 460 calories, it still contains a sizable 27 grams of fat and 830 milligrams of sodium.
Calories: 460
Read more: 10 Things to Know About the Latest McDonald's Changes
5. Cascara Latte
The Cascara Latte was Starbucks' first new beverage announced this year. Featuring flavors from the cascara — made from the slightly sweet dried berries of the coffee plant — it "combines espresso with steamed milk and cascara syrup, topped with velvety foam," according to the Starbucks website. "A sprinkle of cascara topping, made with cascara extract and cane sugar, finishes the beverage in a signature straight line, which mirrors the inside of a coffee cherry."
As with most drinks at the popular coffee chain, you can save yourself calories by opting for nonfat milk (50 calories) and skipping any kind of topping offered. And with flavored coffee, ask for fewer pumps of the sugary syrup the baristas pour in.
Calories: 240 (grande)
Read more: The 10 Best Starbucks Swaps to Cut Calories and Fat
6. Triple Double Crunchwrap
Just when you thought fast-food portions couldn't get any bigger, Taco Bell tripled down on Americans' expanding waistlines. In July of 2017, a meatier, cheesier version of its popular Crunchwrap Supreme hit menus — and the internet freaked out. Eater's headline even read "Taco Bell's Newest Crunchwrap Is Basically the Size of a Toddler."
And with that extra meat and cheese comes extra calories and fat. Though the standard Crunchwrap Supreme clocks in at 530 calories and 21 grams of fat, the Triple Double Crunchwrap has 700 calories and 30 grams of fat. And after reading what's really in one of these big boys, you may not want to eat either ever again.
Calories: 700
Read more: What's Really Inside Taco Bell's Crunchwrap Supreme?
7. Coconut Milk Mocha Macchiato
"Sumatran coconut milk, white chocolate mocha and Espresso roast combined with caramel drizzle and a swirl of mocha to create five perfectly balanced layers of espresso sweetness in every sip." That's the Starbucks Coconut Milk Mocha Macchiato. It sounds like a dream — and also like dessert.
As far as sweet and creamy coffee drinks go, it's not the worst, but it's also something you might not want to order every day. When you compare its 220 calories, nine grams of fat and 25 grams of sugar to a grande iced skinny flavored latte at 80 calories, zero grams of fat and 10 grams of sugar, it's clear that you can have a delicious drink without consuming a ton of extra calories and sugar.
Calories: 220 (grande)
Read more: The 12 Worst Coffee Drinks to Order
8. Poke Bowl
Sure, you've tried sushi, but have you had a poke bowl? A poke (poh-kay, not poh-kee or poke) bowl is raw fish — usually ahi — and white rice topped with pretty much anything you want, like green onions, edamame, kimchi, sliced cucumber, seaweed salad, shredded carrots, chopped nuts or sesame seeds.
But to ask how many calories are in a poke bowl is like asking how many calories are in a burrito. It depends. How much and what kind of fish is in your bowl? What are you putting on top? What kind of dressing or sauce is on it? All those things factor into the final nutritional value. But if you stick to the basic formula, don't go crazy on toppings and choose a healthy, low-cal dressing, you should end up with a pretty healthy meal.
Calories: varies
Read more: 9 Poke Bowls That Will Make You Forget About Sushi
9. Zima
Zima was a malt beverage that gained popularity in the '90s when everyone was obsessed with clear drinks. (Crystal Pepsi, anyone?) Banking mostly on nostalgia, MillerCoors reintroduced the citrusy-sweet adult beverage to story shelves in June 2017. But the comeback was brief, and Zima's limited-release run came to an end.
But if you're still curious about the nutritional value of Zima, here's the breakdown: 185 calories and 21 grams of carbohydrates in a 12-ounce serving. Plus, most people were in the habit of improving the taste with Jolly Ranchers, which only added to the calories and sugar. Instead, why not sip on an IPA. According to a recent British study, if you're going to be drinking beer anyway, it's the best bet for your liver.
Calories: 185
Read more: 8 Foods and Drinks From the '90s That Should Have Never Happened
10. McDonald’s Ice Cream Cone
Ice cream may not be the first thing you think of when you see a McDonald's, but this year it was top of mind for a lot of people, many of whom even chose to search for the calorie count. Perhaps this high volume of searches was boosted by the fast-food chain's National Ice Cream Day (July 16) free cone giveaway.
McDonald's primarily wanted to highlight its new soft-serve recipe, which eliminated artificial flavors, colors and preservatives. The company also wanted to promote its new app, which you had to use in order to get the free cone. While the cone was free, it certainly came at a cost to your waistline. Each small cone has 200 calories, five grams of fat and 24 grams of sugar. But, hey, at least it's better than the 630 calories, 22 grams of fat and 86 grams of sugar in the M&M McFlurry!
Calories: 200
More About MyPlate
Want to know how many calories are in YOUR favorite foods and drinks? The free LIVESTRONG.COM's MyPlate calorie tracker app for iPhone and Android has helped millions of people lose weight the healthy way — by getting support from an active community as they track their eating and exercise. Consistently a top-rated app, MyPlate offers the latest technology in an easy-to-use tool that includes millions of foods, five-minute in-app workouts and a robust support community.
LIVESTRONG.COM's MyPlate app has a database with more than 2 million foods, enabling us to understand our users' eating behavior and provide them with actionable tips and takeaways that will help them be more conscious and in control of their health.
Read more: Try LIVESTRONG.COM's MyPlate Calorie Tracker for Free
What Do YOU Think?
Did you search for any of these this year? Did you actually eat any of these items in 2017? Were you surprised at the ones that made it to the top 10? Are there any other food or drink items you thought would have made the list? Share your thoughts in the comments below!