Spring is here (at least on the West Coast) and what better way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day than with a fun, festive smoothie? The fast food “Shamrock Shake” is something that I have had a number of clients craving at this time of year. Most people do realize that it is not a healthy choice, but they don’t realize just how shockingly unhealthy they actually are.
Did you know that a medium Shamrock Shake contains*:
710 calories
126 grams of carbohydrates, including 102 grams of sugar! That is over 20 teaspoons of sugar, which adds up to just slightly over a tablespoon shy of HALF A CUP OF SUGAR (120g).
18 grams of fat including 0.4 grams of trans fat
430mg of sodium
Wow, right? But the good news is that you can get all of the creamy, minty flavor in a much healthier smoothie that also just happens to be vegan, paleo, raw, dairy-free, soy-free, gluten-free, added sugar-free and full of healthy fats. If you want to mix this up to be a mint chocolate chip/ mint Girl Guide cookie shake, add a tablespoon of cacao or carob powder (IC) and garnish with a sprinkle of grated raw chocolate. Enjoy!
Skinny Shamrock Shake
1 frozen banana
1/4 ripe avocado
3/4 C unsweetened almond or coconut milk
1/2 tsp Ground Vanilla Bean Powder
1-3 drops of food grade peppermint oil
1/8-1/4 tsp of spirulina powder or a handful of baby spinach (optional, boosts green color and adds extra nutrition)
Add all ingredients to a high-speed blender and blend until smooth. Pour into glasses and garnish with fresh mint and a sprinkle of cacao powder. Enjoy!
How did this Skinny Shamrock Shake turn out for you? Let me know (and send me a pic of your creations) in the comments below, and on Facebook and Twitter!
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You might also like my healthy Pumpkin Spice Latte alternative…
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© 2015 Nutritionista. Erin Luyendyk, RHN. All rights reserved.
*Nutrition data from the McDonald’s Canada website and accurate as of the date of publishing.
All material found on www.thenutritionista.ca is intended as general educational material only and should not be considered medical or nutritional advice. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any medical condition and has not been evaluated by the FDA. Please consult with your personal physician before implementing any health, nutrition, supplement or exercise program to ensure its safety and suitability for your specific individual situation
