You all know you… many of you love it. The Shamrock Shake was invented in 1967 by Hal Rosen, a Connecticut McDonald’s franchise owner and operator, who concocted the drink to commemorate St. Patrick’s Day. Originally, it was the color that drew people in, but by 1980, the Shamrock shake was mint in color and taste. It’s been out for a few weeks, and will stick around a bit after St. Paddy’s. But… what’s in that shake?
For starters, bloat.
Shamrock shakes are chock full of dairy and fat, leaving you with a bloated feeling that can last for days. The body is not meant to process the whopping 470 calories and 14 grams of fat or 62 grams of carbs in a small, not to mention the 820 calories, 22 grams of fat, and 103 grams of carbs in a large.
I grabbed the information from the McDonald’s website… and what’s inside the main ingredients are a bit unnerving…
VANILLA REDUCED FAT ICE CREAM
Ingredients: Milk, Sugar, Cream, Corn Syrup, Natural Flavor, Mono and Diglycerides, Cellulose Gum, Guar Gum, Carrageenan, Vitamin A Palmitate.
Contains: MILK.
SHAMROCK SHAKE SYRUP
Ingredients: High Fructose Corn Syrup, Corn Syrup, Water, Sugar, Natural Flavor, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate (Preservative), Yellow 5, Blue 1. May contain small amounts of other shake flavors served at the restaurant, including egg ingredients when Egg Nog Shakes are available.
WHIPPED TOPPING
Ingredients: Cream, Nonfat Milk, Corn Syrup, Sugar, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Contains 1% or Less: Mono-And Diglycerides, Carrageenan, Polysorbate 80, Beta Carotene (Color), Natural and Artificial Flavor, Mixed Tocopherols (Vitamin E) to Protect Flavor. Whipping Propellant (Nitrous Oxide).
Contains: MILK.
MARASCHINO CHERRY
Ingredients: Cherries, Water, Corn Syrup, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Sugar, Malic Acid, Citric Acid, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Sodium Benzoate and Potassium Sorbate (Preservatives), Red 40, Sulfur Dioxide as Preservative (Contains Sulfites).
GREEN SUGAR CRYSTALS
Ingredients: Sugar, Yellow 5 Lake, Confectioners Glaze, Blue 1 Lake, Carnauba Wax.
I am a lover of shakes, truly, so I always look to have my faves in ways that are both delicious and nutritious! Since it’s the seasons, here are 2 options I adore… one solely for color, the other for the fun! Packed with all the vitamins, minerals, adaptogens, probiotics, prebiotics, superfoods, and antioxidants one needs to truly feel good [and meet their daily requirements], my St. Paddy’s day is sure to be a fun day of celebration!
Greenberry Shamrock Shake
This shake ROCKS the shamrock in color! The zest and tartness are the morning boost I crave to kick my day off right! I add a healthy dose of fiber, as well, by keeping the skin on my kiwi- which also locks in even more vitamin C.
Keeping my ingredients whole and clean, this shake gives me over 24 ounces but comes in at just 324 calories and 4.5 grams of fat.
Ingredients:
1 Scoop Greenberry Shakeology
2 Kiwi, with skin on
1 Navel orange + zest
1c Unsweetened Vanilla Cashew Milk
1½c fresh spinach
1c ice
Push your spinach into the bottom of your blender cup (I LOVE my Nutribullet to give me the smoothest blend).
Wash your orange well, then zest over top your spinach- about 1 teaspoon worth, then peel and place slices in.
Wash your kiwi well, trim the ends off, cut in half and place in your cup.
Top this with a scoop of Greenberry Shakeology, and a cup of your cashew milk.
Blend and enjoy!
Mint Chocolate Shamrock Shake
This is my midday, someone give me a pep snack. Paired with a nice, simple salad of arugula, peppers, cucumber and carrot, I’ve got my veggie fix and my lunchtime cravings taken care of!
If I’m feeling adventurous, I’ll make this delectable treat for the hubby and I as a little dessert after the kids are in bed! It feels so good to have a sweet treat that’s actually full of every good thing my body needs to function at peak performance!
At just 256 calories and 5 grams of fat, this beauty shames most desserts in both taste AND nutritional value!
Part I
½ scoop Chocolate Shakeology
½c Unsweetened Vanilla Cashew Milk
A few drops of Mint Extract, to your flavor liking
½c ice
Blend Ingredients and pour into your shake cup
Part II
½ scoop Vanilla Shakeology
½c fresh spinach
½ frozen banana
1T milled flaxseed
½c ice
Blend ingredients and pour over top your chocolate mint. This is best had through a big shake straw to get your ideal flavor blend!
Sip and Enjoy!
The next time you get a craving, which shake are you going to reach for?
I need to try this. I have been way over eating and NEED to watch my calories!!!
It’s seriously SO good!
A “Shamrock Shake” that is delicious and healthy? Awww yeah. Get in my belly!
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Amen to that!
I haven’t had a milkshake in ages. Now, I really want one! I will have to try using Cashew Milk. Usually I use Silk Coconut Milk, so the Cashew Milk will be a nice change of pace. I’ve never tried Shakeology products either, but I’m sure heard a lot of people talk about them.
I LOVE cashew milk. I like almond, but I feel like it’s not creamy- somehow cashew milk is! And I LOVE my Shakeo- it’s literally changed my eating habits entirely!
My kids and I make shakes all the time. As soon as bananas some into the house, Stella starts bugging me to make them.
Heather @ Kraus House Mom recently posted…Guess Who Went Blind Again, and Didn’t Know It
So much dairy with the milk and ice cream… I love making these because I can enjoy it more without the boat feeling! lol. I hear you on the bananas- we are those people at BJs buying 3 bags a week!
OH yum!!!!! This looks WAY better than the original version!
It really is SO good!
I love shamrock shakes so I definitely need to try this. I’m trying to get on a healthy kick and this would be a wonderful way to do that.
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So true! Such a great place to start- replacing the things we love with delicious versions that are healthy!
This Shamrock Shake looks amazing! I am going to have to give it a go with my family.
Enjoy!
I will have to give this a try. I used to get a Shamrock Shake every year. This year I am eating healthy and it has way to many calories. This will be a great alternative.
Seriously… I saw how many calories and chemicals were in there and it turned my stomach and I LOVE milkshakes!
I can’t say I’ve ever tried cashew milk – does it taste cashewy? I also must admit that I’ve never had a McDonald’s Shamrock Shake but it sounds like I’m not missing much. Hahahaha
You’re missing a bellyache! 😉 I LOVE cashew milk- it’s not too nutty tasting at all.
This Shamrock Shake looks amazing! I am going to have to try it!
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Enjoy!
Reading the ingredients for the Shamrock Shake at McDonald’s is kind of disturbing. I will have to give yours a try.
Stacie recently posted…My Dream Home is a Smart Home
Isn’t it?!
I like a good milkshake. I will have to try this healthy version.
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I hope you like it!
Kiwis are my favorite. Then you add in cashew milk and well, how can I not try this!
It really is incredibly healthy AND SO tasty- it’s looking like shamrock shakes in my house all year!
I like these shamrock shakes. It’s too bad they are only available around St. Patrick’s Day. I would drink them year round.
You can make your own healthy ones all year long!
We make a similar mock shamrock too- but I like to make it closer to a grasshopper (alcoholic drink) when entertaining. I actually knew about the ingredients in the syrup, one of my family members has access to it by the jugs…
Ooof. That syrup is scary!
I can’t wait to try this! I love shamrock shake! And I want to make it all year round!
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MMMM! Amen to that1! Enjoy!
Thank you for sharing! This looks delicious and I absolutely LOVE shamrock shakes!
I hope you love these, too!
Now that is the way to celebrate a holiday. Your version is so much healthier and our families deserve a healthy alternative and I am sure it tastes great.
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I always enjoy having things that my family loves, but that’s also good for them. I love a treat… but treats don’t always have to be bad for you!
I love your substitute. That sure was a lot of calories in the original shake. A new healthy approach seems the way to go.
That’s my thought!
It’s sound (and look) great! Kiwis are my favorite. A new healthy approach seems the way to go. I can’t wait to try this. Thank you for your sharing!
I hope you love it!