Shine OnMcDonald's Shamrock Shake has as many calories as a full meal
’Tis the season for frothy green milkshakes from Mickey D’s.
The Shamrock shake is back — and it’s still not even slightly good for us. Not that that’s ever stopped us from indulging before.
, the Triple Thick Shamrock Milkshake is the second-highest-calorie single item on the McDonald’s menu, trailing only the chocolate milkshake (which has a mere 60 calories more).
To put that number into perspective, 1,100 calories is also the equivalent of a Big Mac (530 calories), medium fries (350 calories) and medium Coca-Cola (220 calories).
And with 155 grams of sugar, you’ll be drinking more of the sweet stuff than the amount found in more than five Snickers bars.
The Shamrock shake is still a far cry from reaching “worst beverage in America" status. In 2010, that title was bestowed upon the Cold Stone PB&C, which when purchased in its “Gotta Have It” size, clocked in at a whopping 2,010 calories with 131 grams of fat.
McDonald’s green milkshake has “only” 28 grams of fat. A Big Mac has 29.
(It should be noted, however, that the large Shamrock shake has two more grams of sugar than the Cold Stone one. Yikes.)
The food colouring agent used in the green shake has also been somewhat controversial in recent years. While Brilliant Blue FCF is a permitted colouring agent in Canada, the U.S. and the European Union, the synthetic coal tar dry was previously banned in a handful of European nations and has been known to induce some sensitivity reactions, specifically in individuals with moderate asthma. Some studies even suggest it’s carcinogenic (in rats) in large quantities.
(It’s also potentially toxic when used in enteral feeding situations.)
So, what’s a green-shake-loving guy or gal to do?
If you just have to indulge (it is only available once a year), consider sticking with the child size, at a more reasonable 490 calories.
Or have a go at making your own.
Le Creme de la Crumb, Cupcakes and Cashmere, and AllRecipes.com all offer a similar recipe:
Blend ice cream, milk, mint extract and food colouring in a blender. Pour into glass. (Feeling fancy? Drizzle chocolate syrup into that glass first.) Top with whipped cream. Enjoy.
Want a healthier alternative? We’ve got you covered.
Skinny Kitchen makes a fat-free version using vanilla yogurt, skim milk and Stevia.
The Healthy Beast offers a recipe for a dairy-free, paleo version of the famous McDonald’s shake that uses coconut milk, banana, avocado and mint extract.
And One Green Planet’s vegan interpretation colours its shake with spinach, not food colouring.
Will you be lining up for a Shamrock shake this month? Have you had any luck making your own?
