The Shamrock Shake: Festive Snack or Meal in a Glass?

St. Patrick's Day is upon us, and restaurants everywhere have officially "gone green" (and I don't mean in the environmental sense). Late last month, dining establishments across the nation began transforming foods and drinks into festive shades of emerald in honor of the March 17th Irish holiday. Every year, McDonald's jumps on this bandwagon (or perhaps leads the bandwagon), with their infamous Shamrock Shake, a minty green treat that's only available through March. The drink looks innocent enough in a small size, but how many calories are packed into that 12-ounce cup: 220, 530, 640, or 810?

Answer: 530 calories!

You read that right—one small 12-ounce Shamrock Shake has a whopping 530 calories, 15 grams of fat and 73 grams of sugar. That's more calories than a McDonald's Quarter Pounder with Cheese (which weighs in at 520 calories), more fat than a cheeseburger (12 grams), and more sugar than a large sweet tea (69 grams).

Can't live without a little green goodness this St. Patrick's Day? Skip the McDonald's Shake and try one of these healthier versions at home:

Mean Green Juice
Skinny(er) Shamrock Shake
Homemade Shamrock Shake
Shamrock Protein Shake

Have you ever tried the Shamrock Shake? Do you avoid this seasonal treat, or do you occasionally indulge?

Comments

EVILCECIL 4/19/2018

That's crazy... Report

KATHYJO56 10/30/2017

I love this shake, but only allow myself one per year. Report

KOHINOOR2

Never Report

4CONNIESHEALTH

Yikes! I've eaten this once a long time ago! Report

RD03875

Never had one Report

LIMOM2TWINS

I have to admit I tried for the 1st time a couple of weeks ago a Shamrock chocolate shake - it was yummy but one is enough that small shake satisfied my curiosity and I will most likely not get another one. Report

CHRIS3874

Never had one but I do love mint. Not Irish not into St Patrick's Day. Report

LSIG14

I absolutely love Shamrock Shakes but since I am on the path to health, I will walk away this year. That is not to say I will never indulge again because it is a special treat - but not while on the weight loss phase! Report

I.M.MAGIC

I guess I've always been a bit of an oddity... I don't like shakes. Period. No matter who makes them, green or otherwise.
And I never have. As a child, I preferred sherbet or sorbet to ice cream, which I would turn down if given a choice; the only soda I would drink back then was Nesbit orange, which was barely carbonated, and don't drink soda at all now. I also would not drink shakes... and I would go back for a few bites of the leftovers from dinner after having dessert because I didn't like the taste sweet things left in my mouth.
Today, I'm severely diabetic. Go figure...
I think we're smarter about some things as children; we are more in tune with our bodies then. But we eat what we're given and look what happens...
I'm glad we can learn more about nutrition these days! LOL Report

RO2BENT

both, but got to earn it... Report

WALKIN4JEANIE

I have never liked those. Now, I am glad that I don't I think the last time I had a McDonald's milk shake was at a time when I was concerned about getting enough calories after some painful oral surgery. That was 5 years ago. Report

JENNYSAUFL

I've taken a sip of a friend's many years ago and remain scarred for life. At that time, I wasn't watching my calories or caring what I was eating, but that 'drink' is truly awful. Report

TAMARAUNDERKIRC

I used to love these things. However, if was between a green shake or a green salad? I will definitely take the salad! Report

IDIOTBAINES

True story. Last time they were at Micky D's my teen granddaughter wanted one and I convinced her that there was something bad in the shakes and managers all over the country were being arrested if they were selling them, that it was all over the news and the first story had come from someplace in California about a week earlier. She bought the story! Report

BSWEET101

I have had Shamrock Shakes before, but don't care for the fake mint flavor, so this is not one of my seasonal indulgences ... corned beef with buttery potatoes, on the other hand. Report

AUNA_VISTA

I never heard of this before this year. No, I am never going for the mega calories in this shake! Whoa, can anyone say "heart attack" with me? I really love the recipe you shared, the link rather, for the protein shamrock shack. Thank you! Report

HONEBAR

NEVER HAD ONE NOW I GUESS I NEVER WILL. Report

HILLSLUG98239

Is it really a surprise to anyone that 12 ounces of milk, ice cream, and syrup equals 530 calories?

And I agree with others who have posted that if you like it, and it's a treat rather than an everyday occurrence, enjoy it! Report

ZORA424

I didn't realize that when I shared this article on facebook that everyone who clicked on the link could see my Spark page. I deleted it immediately. My spark page is for my own motivation and spark friends. I don't even use my real name here on spark. Report

NAVEGALEJOS

Haven't had one in years. My own homemade (healthier!) milkshakes are way better! No thanks, McDonald's! Report

MEWMEW34

I don't think anybody buys a Shamrock Shake thinking it's going to be that healthy for them. They're around for a month, maybe two. Unless you're having one every single day, they aren't going to hurt you and are a nice treat. Report

AZURE-SKY

I haven't been to a McDonald's in 30 years. Don't miss it a bit. Report

GINAC0

I liked these things when I was a kid. I had one last year and it tasted like toothpaste to me. Report

SAPPHIREBLUEKYU

Lucky for me, I can't stand the Shamrock Shake :x Report

BALDWIN123MOLLY

hello to everyone I am new to sparks I wanted to ask is there a profile page if there is I cannnot find it the shamrock looks good but to many calories bye bye Report

OUBACHE

My husband and I stopped for one of these shakes the other day. Even though the number of calories is shocking, we hardly ever treat ourselves like this and I must say the shake was delicious and I really enjoyed it. Report

KAR815

Every year when Mc Donalds has the Shamrock shakes I normally would go get a small one, Id enjoy it, but this years different Im choosing to walk away from the shake! Report

SHIMMYSHAKER

I found a recipe using frozen yogurt, skim milk, and mint extract that I use. I don't even use the food coloring. My boyfriend swore off McD's 6 or 7 years ago, but he LOVES the homemade shakes! It feels better knowing exactly what's going into your body. :-) Report

HEATHER.HUDSON

I used to love the shamrock shakes. I'm glad I haven't had any this year now that I know how many calories they really are. Herbalife has Mint Chocolate flavor shake mix - so much healthier, plus I can make it as thick or thin as I want! Report

LCLOSE3

Never had one...But highly doubt a quarter pounder with cheese has only 12 grams of fat!! That would mean that "lean" burger has only 3 gm fat/ounce and that doesn't count the cheese!! It's probably more like 26 gm of fat!! Report

PAMJSB55

I never had an Mickey D's (McDonald's)shamrock shake! I glad I haven't! Report

EMILY0724

I love St. Patrick's Day! I'm definitely going to try 1 or 2 of these shakes! Report

SALTYCHOCOLATE

Oh well, I guess if you don't want one you will take personal responsibility and choose to not drink one. I'm not a milkshake fan. It's all about personal responsibility. Report

KSIBRAVA

I remember a few years ago the shakes at McDonalds were soooo good. And I would look forward all year to the Shamrock Shake as a big time favorite. But ever since they changed the recipe they are gross. Nothing but a frothey mix of nastey not even real milk foam. Report

DANU12

Sad, I love those things...though I can't drink a whole one anymore because it's so sweet. Report

ROGERSBABE1

Not fond of mint, but I wanted to sample it. I asked for a child size shake at my local McD's...they didn't offer it nor did they have samples, so I passed. I am glad I did. Thanks for the info. Report

QHAMOM

Celebrating doesn't have to involve food. Running a shamrock race, wearing green, dancing, or coloring leprechauns with kids can be just as fun without the junk. If you really want Irish food, cabbage, potatoes, and a little corned beef will be a better choice than green desserts. Report

FAWNZIB

I may put up green lites or buy green roses but I am not irish nor do I really feel the need to celebrate this one. I do it for my Irish Scottish hubby lol Last time I had one of these shakes was 10 years ago... Report

CHRIS3874

Nope. The 17 th of March holds NO special place for me. Report

BBYGIRLBELLA

I have already read this article but every time I see it I just think "Oh my god. That's just CRAZY!" Report

PEACEFULHOME

Oops! I had one of those small Shamrock Shakes a couple of weeks ago. I like the alternative recipes - will give it a try. Jan Report

TERI081010

I quit eating at McDonald's years ago, their food and service are awful! I make fruit smoothies at home. The Shamrock homemade recipes sound good! Report

HEALTHY4HIM

Whoa. Nasty. Report

MONICRED

Thanks for including my recipe!!! (sham)Rock on! Report

LUVSDSEA

I had a feeling these were a bad idea. Also, I don't know if people who don't have heart issues know this or not but mint of any kind has a tendency to speed up your heart rate and sometimes that is NOT a good thing :) Report

LADYDULUC

This is a once a year treat. I had my small one last week and that will last me until next year. I did track the calories, but since it's not something I do all the time (I don't usually eat a Mickie D's, but this is my one flashback to childhood) I feel that it's ok to splurge ocassionally. I skipped my evening snack a few days last week and still came in on target for my weekly calories, so I figure it's a wash. I know that if I constantly deny myself the things that I like, I wont stick with the diet, so as long as I am keeping with my overall plan, I allow myself a splurge every few weeks. Last weeks weight loss put my half way to my goal. Report

ROBINBIRD1014

It is an ice cream based drink so of course it will caloric. If you are going to make a once a year treat, make a better one with chocolate chip mint ice cream and some milk and throw it in the blender. YUMMMMM Report

RELENTLESS-FER

Havn't had McIcky's in 7 years. Really NOT missing it. Report

JMOSESRN

I love the taste of these things but it's simply not worth it. I'll have to try a healthier version with the kids this year.... Report

MJOHEMME

I've never had the shamrock shake but I am a sucker for the mocha frappes. Report

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The Shamrock Shake: Festive Snack or Meal in a Glass?

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