Mom Says No To This Green Shake

ohh, it's green shake time.  McDonalds, How I wish you would improve in your ingredients.  You may have noticed the addition of this leprechaun seasonal green dyed item on the menu.   Please don't consider yourself lucky by having access to this chemical fest.  

If you’ve ever wondered what gives the shake its famous green color, the secret is in the syrup. The Shamrock Shake syrup contains yellow 5 and blue 1, both of which have been linked to behavioral problems and hyperactivity in children. Blue 1 is also poorly absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract, and yellow 5 can be linked to cancer. The Center for Science in the Public Interest has petitioned the Food and Drug Administration to ban the additives since 2008, and they have already been phased out in the United Kingdom. The syrup also contains — surprise — high fructose corn syrup.
And take a closer look, there is no mention of mint in the emerald colored drinks.  But there is Carrageenan which is widely added to ice creams and yogurts.  Carrageenan is linked to inflammatory illnesses.  Chronic inflammation is the root of many diseases including Parkinsons, heart disease, Alzheimers, and cancers.

Just take a look at the lengthy ingredient list.

VANILLA REDUCED FAT ICE CREAM

Ingredients: Milk, Sugar, Cream, Corn Syrup, Natural Flavor, Mono and Diglycerides, Cellulose Gum, Guar Gum, Carrageenan, Vitamin A Palmitate.

Contains: MILK.

SHAMROCK SHAKE SYRUP

Ingredients: High Fructose Corn Syrup, Corn Syrup, Water, Sugar, Natural Flavor, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate (Preservative), Yellow 5, Blue 1. May contain small amounts of other shake flavors served at the restaurant, including egg ingredients when Egg Nog Shakes are available.

WHIPPED TOPPING

Ingredients: Cream, Nonfat Milk, Corn Syrup, Sugar, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Contains 1% or Less: Mono-And Diglycerides, Carrageenan, Polysorbate 80, Beta Carotene (Color), Natural and Artificial Flavor, Mixed Tocopherols (Vitamin E) to Protect Flavor. Whipping Propellant (Nitrous Oxide).

Contains: MILK.

MARASCHINO CHERRY

Ingredients: Cherries, Water, Corn Syrup, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Sugar, Malic Acid, Citric Acid, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Sodium Benzoate and Potassium Sorbate (Preservatives), Red 40, Sulfur Dioxide as Preservative (Contains Sulfites).

GREEN SUGAR CRYSTALS

Ingredients: Sugar, Yellow 5 Lake, Confectioners Glaze, Blue 1 Lake, Carnauba Wax.

That's A LOT of ingredients!!

When this post was originally written in 2014 the serving count looked like this: Notice the changes in the medium in March of 2017.

Original - Medium - A 16 ounce serving is 550 calories. 13 grams of fat, 8 grams of saturated fat, 1 gram of trans fat, 50 milligrams of cholesterol, 180 milligrams of sodium, no fiber, 82 grams of sugar and 13 grams of protein.

Update March 2017 - from McDonalds website -  This is a small

This is a medium

Instead, try this easy recipe which has pineapple, banana and kale.  
Ingredients
1/2 cup coconut milk
2 cups stemmed and chopped kale or spinach
1 1/2 cups chopped pineapple (about 1/4 medium pineapple)
1 ripe banana, chopped
Directions
Combine the coconut milk, ½ cup water, the kale, pineapple, and banana in a blender and puree until smooth, about 1 minute, adding more water to reach the desired consistency.

Nutritional Information
Per Serving
Calories 253
Fat 13g
Sat Fat 11g
Cholesterol 0mg
Sodium 38mg
Protein 5g
Carbohydrate 36g
Sugar 18g
Fiber 5g
Iron 3mg
Calcium 119mg

Do you have a recipe for a healthy "green" shake?  How about a "mint" shake?


Sources:
https://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en-us/product/shamrock-mccafe-shake-small.html
http://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en/food/product_nutrition.mccafe.3779.shamrock-mccafe-shake-small.html
http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/kale-smoothie-recipe-00100000095097/index.html
http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/QAA401181/Is-Carrageenan-Safe.html
http://www.sofreshandsogreen.com/2012/03/12/mcdonalds-shamrock-shake-goes-nationwide-but-do-you-really-want-one/