Growing up, McDonald’s was a weekly treat for our family.

And while the Shamrock Shake didn’t launch until I was a bit older (and McDonald’s had started to lose some of it’s appeal), I still appreciate a fun-flavored fast food shake.

That being said, I don’t appreciate how I feel after, as inflammatory-spiking ingredients like conventional dairy, refined sugar (high fructose corn syrup!!), shelf-stabilizing chemicals, dyes and preservatives, as well as gluten (if adding Oreos into the mix) cause major gut distress and hormonal chaos for me (and honestly, most people in general).

But if you know me then you know I’m always down to recreate recipes so that they taste good AND make you feel good too, and I think I nailed it with this McDonald’s Copycat Healthy Shamrock Protein Shake.

It’s thick and creamy, rich in refreshing mint flavor and swirled with the most legit paleo Oreo Cookie Crumbles, all while being dairy-free, gluten-free, refined-sugar-free and vegan-friendly.

It also sneaks in a ton of gut-friendly and hormone-healthy ingredients (including avocado and leafy greens!) that keep you feeling satiated and energy stable for hours after consuming.

So whether you’re looking for a milkshake substitute to satisfy a sweet craving or a healthy breakfast idea to kick off the morning (that your kiddos will love too) this Healthy Shamrock Protein Shake has you covered. Snag all the details and recipe below.

WHAT MAKES THIS SHAMROCK PROTEIN SHAKE HEALTHY VS. MCDONALD’S

While yes, this recipe is a recreation of a milkshake, that doesn’t mean it can’t still be rich in nutrients and void of inflammatory agents found in the original McDonald’s Shamrock Shake (conventional dairy, high-fructose corn syrup, carrageenan (a known carcinogen), etc.) Here’s a few reasons why this Shamrock Protein Shake recipe is a much healthier option.

+ NO REFINED SUGAR

Instead of using processed sugars like high fructose corn syrup that can spike your blood sugar and mess with your gut microbiome, this Healthy Shamrock Protein Shake uses only a small amount of organic maple syrup and dates to sweeten.

+ NATURALLY DAIRY-FREE/VEGAN

McDonald’s Shamrock Shake is loaded with conventional dairy (in the form of milk and cream that many people find difficult to digest). This recipe uses avocado for an extra creamy factor and dairy-free (but still very rich) coconut milk in its place.

+ HIGH IN NUTRIENTS

One of the reasons milkshakes (and desserts in general) have been deemed “unhealthy” is because they typically lack nutrients that work to keep our blood sugar balanced, hormones happy and provide an overall feeling of satiation, hence why most of the time we’re still hungry (and cranky) after consuming. This Healthy Shamrock Protein Shake recipe sneaks in a ton of nutrients to help keep us satisfied (see below for details).

+ OPTIMAL BALANCE OF PROTEIN, FAT + FIBER

Unlike most milkshakes or even store-bought smoothies, this Healthy Shamrock Protein Shake also sneaks in plenty of high quality fats and fiber, that work in tandem with the protein to give our hormones the building blocks they need to do their jobs effectively.

HORMONE BALANCING + HEALTHY SHAMROCK PROTEIN SHAKE INGREDIENTS

+ LEAFY GREENS

Leafy greens like spinach, kale, swiss chard or collard greens are loaded with micronutrients that keep our hormones fueled, enabling them to effectively carry out their functions. Many also have a mild taste (like spinach), making it an ideal veggie to toss in your shake without impacting the flavor.

+ CACAO NIBS/ POWDER

Cacao is rich in magnesium, which helps lower prostaglandins, hormone-like substances that cause cramping. It also supports pituitary health, helping to signal the release of FSH and LH, necessary for a healthy menstrual cycle and fertility.

+ AVOCADO 

Avocados are rich in omega-3 fatty acids that work to regulate hormones, increase cervical mucus, promote ovulation, improve blood flow to your reproductive organs and boost the health of your eggs.

+ FROZEN CAULIFLOWER/ZUCCHINI

Cauliflower contains a sulfur compound called diindolylmethane, or DIM, which helps your body to safely eliminate excess estrogen that can otherwise contribute to period pain, weight gain, PMS, and other hormonal imbalances, while zucchini is rich in lutein, an antioxidant that works to reduce inflammation.

HEALTHY SHAMROCK PROTEIN SHAKE RECIPE SWAPS

+ TO MAKE A SUGAR-FREE SHAMROCK PROTEIN SHAKE

While this shake is already low in sugar (especially compared to the McDonald’s version!) you can make it entirely sugar free by leaving out the Oreo Cookie Crumbles and dates (the banana and vanilla extract will subtly add some sweetness).

+ TO MAKE A VEGAN SHAMROCK PROTEIN SHAKE

To make this Shamrock Protein Shake entirely vegan, swap the collagen protein powder for a vegan-friendly option.

+ TO MAKE A KETO SHAMROCK PROTEIN SHAKE

While this Shamrock Protein Shake is naturally lower in carbs and high in protein, healthy fats and fiber, you can reduce the net carbohydrates by leaving out the banana and Oreo Cookie Crumbles and swapping the dates for monk fruit sweetener.

HEALTHY SHAMROCK PROTEIN SHAKE RECIPE HORMONE HEALTH TIPS

+ USE A CLEAN, BIOAVAILABLE PROTEIN POWDER

There’s a lot of junk out there when it comes to protein sources (especially if you’re looking for it in the form of a powder), as most are quite processed and contain inflammatory ingredients like added sugars and shelf-stabilizing chemicals. My favorite clean protein protein powder is this collagen brand, which is rich in gut-healing compounds like glutamine, glycine, collagen and proline that reduce intestinal inflammation and support your thyroid gland.. **Use my code SOGREEN10 to save. 

+ CHOOSE A GUAR-GUM FREE COCONUT MILK 

Many canned coconut milk brands contain guar gum, which helps keep coconut from separating, however can increase intestinal inflammation and symptoms such as gas, bloating, etc. This is my favorite full-fat guar-gum free brand.

+ ADD IN PREBIOTIC FIBER FOR A GUT-FRIENDLY BOOST

Speaking of gut issues, I’m a huge fan of adding in prebiotic fiber to this Healthy Shamrock Protein Shake. It doesn’t affect the taste, but it does promote healthy gut bacteria, which works to optimize digestion and relieve constipation, metabolize fats, regulate blood sugar, manage inflammation and decrease risk factors like obesity, type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. This is my go-to brand and you can use the code SOGREEN10 to save 10%.

MORE HORMONE-HEALTHY SHAKE + SMOOTHIE RECIPES 

+ DARK CHOCOLATE AVOCADO FERTILITY SMOOTHIE

+ GUT-FRIENDLY OREO COOKIE BLIZZARD

+ THE BEST MACA FERTILITY SMOOTHIE

Healthy Shamrock Protein Shake

DF

GF

P

VG

This Healthy Shamrock Protein Shake is loaded with nutrients and swirled with Paleo Oreo Cookies for the ultimate healthy indulgence.

PREP TIME:	TOTAL TIME:
00:00 Mins	00:25 Mins

• Author: Lauren Chambers

• Servings: 1-2

• Recipe Type: breakfast, dessert, smoothie, snack, treat

• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

For the Paleo Oreo Cookie Crumbles:

• 1 cup almond flour
• 1/2 cup black cocoa powder (can also use cacao powder but it will lack that authentic Oreo cookie color)
• 1/2 cup coconut oil, melted
• 2 tbsp coconut flour
• 2 tbsp maple syrup
• 1/2 tsp baking soda

For the Healthy Shamrock Protein Shake:

• 1 1/2 – 2 cups unsweetened non-dairy milk of choice (I love full-fat coconut milk for this recipe) *Use less milk if you want a thicker texture
• 1 Serving Vanilla Protein Powder (I love this brand, use SOGREEN10 to save 10%)
• 1 cup frozen spinach or other leafy greens
• 1/2 cup frozen cauliflower or zucchini (can leave out or sub for more greens if desired)
• 1 frozen banana
• 2 dates, pitted and chopped (can sub for 2 tbsp maple syrup)
• 1 tbsp creamy nut, seed or coconut butter (I love this brand and you can use the code SOFRESH15 to save 15%)
• 1/4 to 1/2 of an avocado, peeled (use 1/2 or more if not adding nut butter)
• 2 tbsp cacao nibs 
• 2 tbsp fresh mint leaves (or sub with 1/2 tsp peppermint extract)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 -1/2 tsp Pink Himalayan Salt
• 1/4 – 1/2 cup Paleo Oreo Cookie Crumbles (do not add in until the very end)
• Optional Gut-Health Booster: 1 serving Prebiotic Fiber (Use code SOGREEN10 to save)
• Optional Topping of oat whip or coconut cream

Instructions

1. First, you need to prep your Paleo Oreo Cookie Crumbles. Preheat oven to 350 F and cover a baking pan in parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, mix the almond flour, coconut flour, black cocoa powder and baking soda together until well-combined.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together the maple syrup and melted coconut oil. Add the wet ingredients in with the dry until the batter is well-mixed. It should be thick and gooey.
4. Use a large spoon and scoop out one heaping spoonful of batter at a time onto the lined cookie sheet, pressing down on the batter to flatten it. Alternately, you could just make one sheet of cookie instead of individual cookies.
5. Bake in oven for 6 minutes, then flip cookies, rotate pan and bake another 6 minutes (12 minutes total).
6. Remove the pan from the oven and let cookies cool. This makes about 8 large cookies, which you can crumble once dry. This should yield PLENTY of cookie crumbles for your Healthy Shamrock Protein Shake. I recommend freezing the rest for whenever you want to whip another one up quickly, otherwise you can store in an airtight container at room temp for up to a week.
7. Once your Paleo Oreo Cookie Crumbles are ready, set aside. Add all shake ingredients (EXCEPT for cookie crumbles) to a blender and mix until thick and smooth. Stir in preferred amount of cookie crumbles (I love 1/2 cup for a serious Oreo flavor factor) and enjoy! Optional to top with oat or coconut whipped cream.

Notes

**If practicing cycle-syncing, this smoothie would be especially beneficial to consume during your ovulatory phase, as it’s a light and easy to digest option (so it won’t weigh you down when your appetite and digestion slows) while it also includes nutrients like cauliflower that support your body in eliminating excess estrogen (which is highest at this point in your cycle). 

Recipe Rated:

No ratings yet.

Your Rating:

Please rate this

Sample rating item

Email this recipe >