Makes 1 serving

Yum, it’s pumpkin time! And what better to celebrate the season than with a luscious, creamy, pumpkin pie milkshake.

Unfortunately, healthy pumpkin gets a pretty hefty makeover when it hits most blenders. It’s frightening to think, but just the small Pumpkin Pie McFlurry at McDonalds clocks in with 570 calories 26 grams of fat, and 75 grams of carb (which adds up to a hefty 15 plus points).

Drive through a Jack-In-The-Box fast food restaurant instead, and grabbing the seasonal Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream Shake will cost you rather scary 800 calories, 40 grams of fat (including 2 days’ of sat fat), and it includes the equivalent of 20 teaspoons, yes, that’s 20, teaspoons of sugar! (And you can pretty much figure premium ice cream shops will “cost” you at least this much).

Of course I have a much better alternative. With four grams of heart-healthy fiber, a healthy dose of cinnamon, and more than a day’s worth of vitamin A, this tasty seasonal treat may just be my best great-tasting, good-for-you shake ever! Enjoy!

PS GOT LEFTOVER PUMPKIN? Don’t miss my crazy good Pumpkin Pie Pancakes!

1/2 cup low-fat milk
1/2 cup light no-sugar-added vanilla ice cream
1/3 cup canned pumpkin
1 packet no-calorie sweetener (or 2 teaspoons sugar)
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Scant 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
Pinch of ginger
1/3 to 1/2 cup crushed ice

1.  Place all the ingredients, except the ice, in a blender. Blend to mix.

2.  Add crushed ice and blend on high until the ice is completely incorporated.

Nutrition Information Per Serving (with sweetener, for sugar add 30 calories):

Calories 180 | Carbohydrate 28g (Sugars 12g) | Total Fat 4.5g (Sat Fat 3g) | Protein 8g | Fiber 4g | Cholesterol 15mg | Sodium 135mg

Food Exchanges: 1 Carbohydrate, 1 Vegetable, 1/2 Low-Fat Milk
Carbohydrate Choices: 2
Weight Watcher Plus Point Comparison: 4