MCDONALD’S: VANILLA TRIPLE THICK SHAKE (32-OUNCE)
SAVE: 147 CALORIES, 31 G FAT, 21 G SAT. FAT
Ialmost cut this recipe.
See, my goal in writing this book was to truly offer a scrumptious option for each dish that is lower in fat, lower in saturated fat, and lower in calories. I aspired to make each dish a “normal serving size” or at least to provide a simple “Even Better” option that is just as delicious and easy. Well, sure, I can tell you to split this one with 4 people and I’d be reaching that goal, but in this case, that just seemed like it may appear to be a cop-out. Divide one shake by 4?
After consulting with multiple food scientists, trying egg substitutes, dried egg whites, gelatins, puddings, tofu, protein shakes, meal-replacement shakes, various blender and milkshake blades, and double freezing to create enough volume to lower the calories in this shake, I realized that in no way have I copped out. Though I hope you agree, I know that I did what I could. And in the end, I decided that I needed to include this recipe, even though I am going to recommend that you do drink only one-fourth of it, because I want people to realize (I doubt most people do; I know I didn’t) that the original version of this innocent-looking, amazing-tasting shake has 1,140 calories and 32 grams of fat—1,140 calories and 32 grams of fat (that’s not a typo, I repeated it on purpose). That’s about 300 calories and 5 grams of fat shy of what I consume in a day. It’s more than a pint of ice cream. Heck, it’s more than 2 pints of ice cream!
So I guess my contribution behind this recipe is a reminder: “Everything in moderation.”
4¾ cups fat-free, sugar-free vanilla ice cream, divided
1 cup fat-free milk, divided
1 tablespoon vanilla extract, divided
IN a large freezer-proof glass or cup, combine 2¼ cups ice cream, ½ cup milk, and ½ tablespoon vanilla. Place in the freezer.
Meanwhile, in a blender jar, combine the remaining 2½ cups ice cream, ½ cup milk, and ½ tablespoon vanilla. Blend on high speed for 30 to 90 seconds (depending upon the blender power), or until mixed. (If overmixed, the mixture will get thinner.) Pour into a 32-ounce (4-cup) glass or cup. Set aside.
Immediately pour the freezer mixture into the blender. Blend on high speed for 30 to 90 seconds, or until just mixed. Add to the reserved mixture. Stir to mix. Serve with a straw.
993 calories, 38 g protein, 205 g carbohydrates, <1 g fat, <1 g sat. fat, 48 g fiber
Original McDonald’s Vanilla Triple Thick Shake (32 ounces): 1,140 calories, 28 g protein, 178 g carbohydrates, 32 g fat, 22 g saturated fat, <1 g fiber
BEFORE YOU START Do not substitute fat-free frozen yogurt for the fat-free ice cream unless you love the frozen yogurt and it has a pronounced vanilla taste. Most frozen yogurts have an aftertaste that will overpower the other ingredients.
Also, you should have a straw on hand.
EVEN BETTER This big shake is best shared—preferably, it will be served as 4 shakes (8 ounces each). Each shake will have 248 calories, 10 g protein, 51 g carbohydrates, trace fat, trace sat. fat, 12 g fiber. You’ll save 892 calories, 32 g fat, 22 g sat. fat.