Shamrock Shake: A Healthy Makeover

This delicious minty smoothie is packed with nutrients but will still satisfy your sweet tooth in place of the traditional sugary shamrock shake!

Shamrock Shake

When I think about my childhood, I remember coming home from school, and smelling the yummy treats my mother had baked for us and at that time I never was concerned about how much extra wholesome goodness was added to those treats either.  It wasn’t until I lived on my own that I enquired about the flour she used and if she ever added such things as pureed spinach to her brownies.  On the contrary, a favorite of mine was not from our kitchen oven.  This treat actually was one from a fast food chain and came around all but once a year: the Shamrock Shake! (gasp!)

Shamrock Shake Makeover Ingredients

Like I have already mentioned, I had no concern as to what the ingredients of my childhood treats were.  I was a kid! (Hint: this is why we as adults need to take control over what is brought into the house and served to our children).  Looking at the nutritional information now, the Shamrock Shake is made with reduced fat vanilla ice cream, shamrock shake syrup (I am sure you can imagine what this is made of!), whipped cream and maraschino cherries.  There is a whopping 73g of sugar in a 12oz serving and 530 calories.  Not what I would call a “green smoothie.

The green ingredients in this healthy makeover version of the traditional Shamrock Shake, are simply spinach and fresh mint leaves.  I mainly love my mint blended into this super refreshing smoothie, but you can also use mint leaves in tea to help ease stomach cramping.  Did you know that by the mere scent of the leaves you can get a peppy, more energetic feeling?

Add some fresh and some frozen fruit for natural sweetness and a great creamy consistency in this healthy green smoothie. One of our favorites is ripe bananas. We let them ripen until the outside is brown before we freeze them to capture all of that natural sugar. They are SO delicious in a smoothie!

More Delicious Green Smoothie Recipes

• Green Peach Smoothie
• Green Julius
• Green Smoothies for Kids

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3 from 44 votes

Shamrock Shake

This delicious minty smoothie is packed with nutrients but will still satisfy your sweet tooth in place of the traditional sugary shamrock shake!

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Cook Time0 minutes mins

Course: Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American

Servings: 2 people

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsweetened, vanilla almond milk
• 2 cups raw spinach
• 10 large fresh mint leaves plus extra for garnish
• 1 frozen banana
• 1/2 cup frozen mango
• 1 scoop vanilla protein powder optional

Instructions

• Add almond milk, spinach and mint leaves to blender; blend well.
• Break banana into pieces and it along with the mango into the blender; blend well.
• Add ice if a thicker consistency is desired.
• Pour into two small glasses, garnished with extra mint leaves; serve and enjoy!
• (optional: add vanilla protein powder for extra protein!)

Keyword : dairy free, gluten-free, healthy, shamrock shake, st. patricks day, vegetarian

www.superhealthykids.com