A McDonald's Shamrock Shake can have up to 1,140 calories — but a dietitian says it's still OK to treat yourself. Here's why
A large Shamrock Shake has a whopping 162 g of sugar, but Canadian dietitian Abbey Sharp says having one "doesn't mean something bad is going to happen to your body."
This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Contact a qualified medical professional before engaging in any physical activity, or making any changes to your diet, medication or lifestyle.
McDonald's is gearing up for a green spring by welcoming back its famous Shamrock Shake, just in time for St. Patrick's Day. The mint-flavoured milkshake has been an annual, limited-time staple on the fast food chain's menu — and was reintroduced to Canadian menus this week.
While the Shamrock Shake signifies a soon-to-come change in seasons and a fun way to celebrate the Feast of Saint Patrick on March 17, it's a good idea to remember you probably shouldn't be indulging in this drink all season long.
"The way I see something like the Shamrock Shake is really no different than any other sweet dessert that you would, on occasion, enjoy," registered dietitian Abbey Sharp told Yahoo Canada.
But what ingredients and nutritional elements make up the Shamrock Shake? How often is too often to be drinking this sweet dessert? Continue scrolling to learn more about this festive McDonald's concoction.
When was the Shamrock Shake created at McDonald's?
The Shamrock Shake was first created in 1967 by Hal Rosen, a McDonald's owner/operator from Connecticut who made the drink for St. Patrick's Day. Three years later, the drink was put on menus across the United States and became an "instant success," according to McDonald's.
Originally, the milkshake reportedly included lemon-lime sherbet. That was until 1973, when the flavour was ditched for a simple vanilla milkshake dyed green. Since 1983, the drink has included mint syrup.
What's inside the McDonald's Shamrock Shake?
In Canada, the Shamrock Shake is made of both syrup and vanilla ice milk, according to the restaurant's website. Customers can enjoy the milkshake in a tiny snack size portion that's just under 300 grams up to a large size that's slightly below 700 grams.
In terms of nutrition, a medium-sized Shamrock Shake includes:
730 calories
16 g of fat
130 g of carbohydrates
14 g of protein
390 mg of sodium
400 mg of calcium
104 g of sugar
A large, for reference, has 1,140 calories and 162 g of sugar.
Is the Shamrock Shake at McDonald's bad to drink?
According to Sharp, who's based in Toronto and founded Abbey's Kitchen, people should remind themselves that even though milkshakes are in liquid from, they're as much as a dessert as a slice of chocolate cake or other decadent sweet treat.
"Really, it's not that different from having a bowl of ice cream," Sharp noted. "Arguably, I would say that because it is blended, because it is liquid, you can fit far more calories in. And it's much easier to eat something that is liquid and sip-able than something where you're taking bites and mouthfuls and having to chew."
It's much more easy to overeat something when it's in liquid form.Abbey Sharp
Still, that doesn't mean Sharp recommended entirely shunning the Shamrock Shake. She said if it's a treat that brings you joy, you should "treat it no differently than you would treat having a slice of chocolate cake or a couple really good decadent cookies or ice cream or anything else."
How often can you drink the Shamrock Shake at McDonald's?
"It's impossible to give a standardized answer ... because there are so many factors that [go into] play," she said. "People ask me all the time, 'How much is too much? How often is too often?' But you need to plant that in the context of the rest of your diet."
For instance, people should assess how much other sources of added sugar they're consuming throughout their day. Additionally, a person who is exercising regularly — including lots of intense cardio — will require more carbohydrates and sugars than someone who lives a more sedentary lifestyle.
"I would say for your average Canadian or American adult, something like this would be an occasional treat," she said, adding how often someone should be consuming a milkshake like this depends on their diet and lifestyle but should still be enjoyed as a rare drink.
She noted the sugar quantity of a Shamrock Shake is undoubtedly high. A medium-sized version of the milkshake ranks in at 104 per cent of your recommended daily value intake per Health Canada standards. "Based on our guidelines, we recommend no more than five to 10 per cent of your daily calories should be coming from added sugars like this."
Will I have health problems if I drink a Shamrock Shake at McDonald's?
People who might want to enjoy a Shamrock Shake one day should "absolutely not" worry about immediately developing diabetes, getting sick or gaining several pounds of weight, Sharp said. "The body doesn't work that way," she said, adding people should instead be cautious about the "cumulative effect" of having these treats regularly.
She added that a medium-sized Shamrock Shake having 730 calories is, of course, a large amount. That's especially a concern when it's mostly all sugar and lacks micronutrients like fibre or a substantial amount of protein relative to the number of calories you're drinking.
"Again, this doesn't mean that something bad is going to happen to your body or to you the one time you have something like this," she said. "It's really just about the pattern."
She recommended people who want to enjoy a Shamrock Shake but are worried about negative health impacts should consider sharing the drink with a friend. People ordering one for themselves might also want to consider putting it in their freezer so they can enjoy it over time as opposed to all in one sitting.
"Pair it with something that has some fibre and protein in it," Sharp added. "So, have it as part of a snack or a meal where you're having a nutritious, balanced dinner with lots of veggies and some whole grains and some lean protein ... and then maybe you're splitting one of these with a couple friends or your family."
Don't feel bad about enjoying sweet treats once in a while
For most people, a dessert like the Shamrock Shake is simply an enjoyable treat that tastes good. For others, there might even be some nostalgia associated with drinking a festive beverage like this at a famous fast food stop like McDonald's. "There are so many more reasons beyond just nutrients why we eat the foods that we eat," Sharp explained.
She continued to explain that putting certain foods on a pedestal gives some products too much power. In turn, that pushes us away from being in tune with our bodies and prevents us from enjoying treats that make us happy on a healthy basis.
"Unfortunately, we live in a society where diet culture has taught us that certain foods like broccoli are good and foods like Shamrock Shakes are bad," she said. "It just gives those foods far too much power that it makes it really difficult for us to really tune into our body and enjoy them in moderation.
"You might find that you go to the drive-thru and you order yourself that Shamrock Shake and after maybe four, maybe five, maybe 10 sips through ... and the satisfaction level has been hit. ... When we have consistently demonized these foods and told ourselves that we can't have them, it's very hard to stop at the point when pleasure is no longer there."
Let us know what you think by commenting below and tweeting @YahooStyleCA! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
