A Healthier Shamrock Shake

Shamrock Shakes are back!

If you have no idea what I am talking about - let me introduce you to this creamy, smooth green milkshake from McDonalds. It is a little bit minty and a little bit vanilla and a whole lot of yummy! They are released each year for a limited time leading up to St. Patrick's Day and this year they were released in Canada ahead of the USA and I could not be happier as they are one of my favourite childhood treats from the golden arches.

As an adult I usually treat myself to one or two of the green milkshakes each year but the nutritional content (or general lack thereof) always leaves me cringing. A small serving has 73 grams of sugar and a whopping 540 calories!!!

Over the years I have tried a few recipes for healthier versions of the minty green drink and here's the best one I have found so far:

Ingredients

• 2 frozen bananas

• 1 cup baby spinach, packed tight

• 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, packed tight

• 1/2 tsp pure peppermint extract, or to your liking/taste

• 2 scoops vanilla protein powder of your choice

• 2 cups milk of choice* (see note below)

• 3-4 ice cubes

* I used unsweetened almond coconut milk as that is our house favourite but cashew, almond or coconut milk would make an awesome treat too.

Instructions

1. Place all ingredients in a high speed blender.

2. Blend until smooth.

3. Pour into 2 cups and enjoy.

Nutritional Information

The information in the chart below is a rough estimate as the nutritional information will depend on your milk of choice as well as the protein powder you add but you can be sure that this is a much healthier version on the classic green treat.

Let me know what you think.

Enjoy!