There is nothing like the sweet, creamy taste of an old-fashioned vanilla milkshake. Usually made by mixing ice cream and milk to taste, a milkshake packs a high-calorie punch, but is redeemed from junk-food status by the generous amounts of protein and calcium it provides. Adding 1/2 tsp. of vanilla extract, as recommended by the Food Network, adds not only extra flavor but health benefits; the flavoring is a potent antioxidant. A milkshake -- if reserved for a treat on special occasions -- can be part of a healthy diet.

One 16-oz. milkshake provides 509 calories, and contains 17.54 g of protein: about the same amount as that found in three large scrambled eggs. It also contains 13.77 g of fat -- about 20 percent of the recommended daily intake -- and 80.66 g of carbohydrates, roughly a third of the day's suggested intake. A 16-oz milkshake also contains 55 mg of cholesterol.

According to the USDA National Nutrient Database, a 16-oz. milkshake provides a whopping 663 mg of calcium, essential for helping to control blood pressure and building strong bones and teeth. Calcium may reduce the risk of colon cancer and kidney stones; it can also help you lose weight, particularly around the belly. A milkshake is also a good source of phosphorus -- essential for making thyroid hormones -- containing 523 mg in a 16-oz. serving.

A milkshake is a good source of antioxidant vitamin A, with the USDA listing 414 International Units (IU) -- roughly 20 percent of the recommended daily value -- per 16-oz. serving. Vitamin A helps regulate the immune system, and plays an important role in vision, bone growth and cell division. The type of vitamin A found in milk and ice cream is absorbed in the form of retinol, one of the most usable forms. A milkshake is also a good source of vitamin D, a fat-soluble vitamin that promotes calcium absorption in the digestive tract. The USDA lists a 16-oz. serving as containing 218 IU, roughly half the recommended daily value.

According to Today's Woman and Health, vanilla's antioxidant qualities allow it to scavenge destructive free radicals, possibly inhibiting the growth of breast cancer cells. In addition, the aroma of vanilla triggers the release of serotonin, a mood stabilizer. Vanilla also has the ability to reduce nausea.