Can You Safely Enjoy Five Guys Milkshakes While Pregnant?

The Short Answer: Yes, But With Conditions

You’re standing at the counter, staring at the menu board. The Oreo shake looks incredible. Your pregnancy brain has already tasted it. But then the worry creeps in: is this safe for my baby?

Here’s the honest answer: yes, you can safely enjoy Five Guys milkshakes while pregnant, but only if you take a few specific precautions. The milkshakes themselves are made with pasteurized ice cream and mix-ins, which eliminates the biggest concern (listeria). The real risk isn’t the shake itself — it’s how the machine and ingredients are handled at your specific location.

This guide walks you through a complete risk audit: what to look for, what to ask, how to manage sugar, and even how to make a safe version at home when you’d rather not gamble. You’ll walk away knowing exactly how to order without anxiety.

While you’re at it, if you’re a dog owner too, you might appreciate a calm guide for worried owners — because pregnancy cravings and a sick pup shouldn’t both keep you up at night.

The Real Risk: Listeria and Machine Hygiene

Listeria is the foodborne illness that pregnancy experts warn about most. It can cross the placenta and cause serious complications. The good news? Five Guys uses pasteurized ice cream for all their shakes, which kills listeria before it ever reaches your cup.

But here’s the catch: cross-contamination can still happen. If the soft serve machine (or the scoops, or the blender) isn’t cleaned properly, bacteria from raw ingredients or dirty equipment can end up in your shake. That’s why the actual location matters more than the brand.

Why Soft Serve Machines Are a Bacterial Hotspot

Soft serve machines are notorious in the food safety world. They have complex internal parts that trap moisture and residue. If staff don’t follow the cleaning schedule — which often involves taking the machine apart and sanitizing every piece — bacteria like listeria can multiply.

Five Guys doesn’t use a traditional soft serve machine for their shakes. They blend ice cream with mix-ins in a regular blender. That’s actually safer, because the ice cream comes from sealed containers, not a machine that’s been sitting at room temperature. Still, the blender and scoops need proper hygiene.

How to ‘Audit’ Your Local Five Guys

You don’t need to be a health inspector to spot red flags. Here’s a quick visual checklist you can run through in 30 seconds:

• Look at the counter and prep area. Are there spills or sticky residue? A clean workspace suggests better habits.
• Watch the staff. Do they wear gloves when handling food? Do they change gloves between tasks?
• Check the ice cream containers. Are they sealed and stored in a freezer, or sitting out?
• Ask to see the blender. It should look clean, not cloudy or crusted.

If anything looks off, don’t order. It’s not worth the risk.

The Sugar and Calorie Reality Check

Let’s talk about what’s actually in that shake, because pregnancy cravings don’t care about nutrition labels. A small Five Guys shake (about 12 ounces) contains roughly 500-600 calories and 60-80 grams of sugar, depending on the flavor. A large can push past 900 calories and 100 grams of sugar.

To put that in perspective, the American Heart Association recommends no more than 25 grams of added sugar per day for women. One small shake blows past that limit before you’ve eaten anything else.

That doesn’t mean you can never have one. It means you need to plan around it. If you’re having a shake, skip the other sugary drinks and desserts that day. Your body — and your blood sugar — will thank you.

Navigating Gestational Diabetes and Cravings

If you’ve been diagnosed with gestational diabetes, the sugar content is a serious concern. A milkshake can spike your blood glucose levels quickly, which isn’t ideal for you or your baby.

Here’s a practical approach: order the smallest size, split it with a friend, or ask for it as a treat after a protein-rich meal. Pairing sugar with protein and fat slows down absorption and reduces the spike. And if your blood sugar tends to run high, talk to your doctor before indulging. They may advise skipping it entirely.

The ‘Safe Order’ Strategy: Step-by-Step

You’ve decided to go for it. Here’s exactly how to order with confidence:

1. Pick a busy time. A steady stream of customers means faster turnover, which usually means fresher ingredients and more recently cleaned equipment.
2. Ask for a fresh scoop. Request that your shake is made with a scoop from a new, sealed container of ice cream. Staff can usually do this without a problem.
3. Watch them make it. Stand where you can see the prep area. If they use the same scoop for raw meat or unwashed produce, walk away.
4. Choose your toppings wisely. Stick with pasteurized options like Oreo, peanut butter, or chocolate. Avoid anything that might have been handled a lot, like fresh fruit that isn’t washed properly.
5. Skip the whipped cream. It’s usually fine, but it’s an extra dairy product that could be a contamination risk if not stored correctly.

What to Ask the Cashier

You don’t need to interrogate anyone, but a couple of polite questions can go a long way:

• “Do you clean the blender between each shake?”
• “Is the ice cream stored in a sealed container?”
• “Can you use a fresh scoop for mine?”

If the cashier looks confused or annoyed, that’s a red flag. A well-run store will answer confidently.

The Best Toppings to Choose (and Avoid)

Safe toppings: Oreo pieces, peanut butter, chocolate syrup, malt powder, and bacon bits (yes, they have those). All of these are processed and pasteurized.

Avoid: fresh fruit (unless you see them wash it), raw cookie dough (if offered), and anything that’s been sitting out on the counter. Also, if they have a “special” topping that looks like it’s been there for hours, skip it.

One more tip: ask for your shake to be made with whole milk instead of the pre-made mix. Whole milk is pasteurized and less processed, so it’s a slightly better choice if you’re concerned about additives.

The ‘Five Guys-Style’ Safe Milkshake Recipe (At-Home Dupe)

Sometimes the safest option is to make it yourself. Here’s a recipe that tastes close to the real thing, using pasteurized ingredients you control.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups vanilla ice cream (check the label for pasteurized)
• 1/2 cup whole milk (pasteurized)
• 2 tablespoons chocolate syrup (or any flavor you like)
• 1/4 cup crushed Oreo cookies (optional)

Instructions:

1. Let the ice cream soften for 5 minutes at room temperature.
2. Add all ingredients to a blender.
3. Blend on low for 30 seconds, then high for 15 seconds.
4. Pour into a tall glass and enjoy immediately.

This recipe makes about one 12-ounce shake. You can adjust the milk for a thinner or thicker consistency. It’s not exactly the same as Five Guys, but it’s close enough to satisfy the craving.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is it safe to drink a Five Guys milkshake in the third trimester?

Yes, the same rules apply. The main concerns are listeria and sugar, and neither is trimester-specific. Just be extra careful about hygiene and watch your sugar intake, especially if you’re close to your due date and your body is more sensitive to glucose spikes.

Can I have a Five Guys milkshake if I have gestational diabetes?

It’s risky. The sugar content is very high, and it can easily spike your blood sugar. If you really want one, order the smallest size and drink it slowly, or split it with someone. But talk to your doctor first — they might recommend a sugar-free alternative or a protein shake instead.

What if I’ve already had a Five Guys shake and now I’m worried?

Don’t panic. The risk is low, especially if you didn’t have any symptoms. Listeria infection usually causes fever, muscle aches, and gastrointestinal issues within a few days. If you feel fine, you’re almost certainly fine. If you develop symptoms, call your healthcare provider.

Are the bacon bits in Five Guys shakes safe?

Yes, bacon bits are cooked and pasteurized, so they’re safe during pregnancy. They’re a popular topping for a reason — the salty-sweet combo is amazing. Just make sure they’re not sitting out at room temperature for hours. If they look dried out or greasy, skip them.

Can I get a Five Guys milkshake delivered while pregnant?

You can, but delivery adds another layer of risk. The shake might sit in a delivery bag for 20-30 minutes, which raises the temperature and gives bacteria more time to grow. If you order delivery, eat it immediately when it arrives. Or better yet, go pick it up yourself so you can do the visual audit.

The Final Verdict: Sip Smart, Not Sorry

You don’t have to give up every food you love because you’re pregnant. The key is knowing the risks and managing them.

• Five Guys milkshakes are safe when the location is clean and the ingredients are handled properly.
• Always do a quick visual check of the prep area before ordering.
• Ask for a fresh scoop and watch them make your shake.
• Stick to pasteurized toppings like Oreo, peanut butter, or chocolate.
• Be mindful of sugar — one small shake can exceed your daily limit.
• If you have gestational diabetes, talk to your doctor before indulging.
• When in doubt, make a safe version at home with pasteurized ingredients.

Enjoy your treat, mama. You’ve earned it.