5 Best Weight Gain Shakes

 In theory, weight loss is a straightforward equation: consume more calories than you burn. However, for people with high energy expenditure, like power athletes, the situation is like trying to fill a bucket with a hole at the bottom. They not only have to eat more but also take enough protein to keep the muscles working.

Regardless of the motivation to gain weight, the fundamental approach is to boost the intake of essential nutrients that are the building blocks to fuel growth and maintenance. Whether the goal is to build muscles, improve athletic performance or recover from illness, providing enough proteins, carbohydrates, fats, minerals, and vitamins is vital.

Weight gain shakes, optimal for healthy weight gain

“Weight gain shakes are nutritional beverages that provide a concentrated source of calories, fats, proteins, carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins in an easily consumable and convenient formulation. They are designed to increase the caloric intake healthily and support weight gain.”

Weight gain shakes are a blend of ingredients, e.g., protein powders (derived from casein, whey, soy or pea), healthy fats (flaxseed oil or coconut oil), carbohydrates (e.g., fruits, oats and maltodextrin), minerals and vitamins and some optional additives like branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) etc. These rich nutrients are blended into a liquid base like fruit juice, milk, yoghurt or water as a foundation. They allow a person who cannot eat enough to 'drink' the calories.

Some weight gain shakes proven to increase weight and recommended by dieticians are given as examples. The composition of shakes is, however, flexible and must be adjusted according to personal preferences and needs.

Chocolate-peanut butter shake enriched with Greek yoghurt

Peanut butter, honey and chocolate are calorie-rich foods. The Chocolate-peanut butter shake combines these foods with Greek yoghurt, an excellent source of probiotics and protein, to produce a healthy yet nutritious and delicious shake. 

Ingredients

1. One large-sized frozen banana, peeled and sliced 
2. Three tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
3. 170g or ¾ cups of full-fat Greek yoghurt (flavoured or unflavoured as desired)
4. 180ml or ¾ cup of Skim milk
5. One tablespoon of maple syrup, honey or agave
6. T tbsp of peanut butter of any desired type

Preparation

Mix all ingredients in a powerful blender in the same order listed above. Thoroughly blend at a high speed until it becomes smooth and thick. The cocoa powder must be added slowly to avoid the caking and adjust the strength of the chocolate flavour. Drizzle one teaspoon of chocolate syrup into the glass and enjoy. 

Nutrient profile 

Each serving has the following nutrients, 

Calories: 587

Carbohydrates: 65g

Protein: 28g

Fats: 23g

View full recipe at Sally’s Baking Addiction. 

Green smoothie blended with Greek yoghurt  

This green smoothie has Greek yoghurt as a protein source and is loaded with nutrient-dense vegetables and fruits to provide additional nutrients like vitamins and minerals. 

Ingredients

1. One medium-sized ripe banana
2. One cup or 165g of frozen, canned or fresh pineapple
3. Three handfuls of fresh and washed spinach
4. one  large cup or 245g of full-fat Greek yoghurt
5. One cup or 180ml of desired fruit juice or water 

Preparation

Add these ingredients to a blender and blend well unless a smooth texture appears. Pour it into the glass, adorn it as you like and relish every sip.

Nutrient profile

Each serving has the following nutrients, 

Calories: 495

Carbohydrates: 71g

Proteins: 28g

Fats: 11g

View the detailed recipe at Simply Recipes. 

Banana-strawberry smoothie with added kefir and oats

Kefir, like yoghurt, is a fermented milk beverage with a wealth of beneficial bacteria and superb probiotics. Each cup (240ml) of cow milk kefir has about 9-11 g of protein, which makes it a healthy weight-gain food. Blending with fruits further boosts its nutrient profile. 

Ingredients

1. One cup or 144g of frozen or fresh strawberries
2. One medium-sized ripe banana
3. One cup or 240ml kefir
4. ¼ cup of old-fashioned oats:
5. A handful of ice cubes (optional)
6. One cup of leafy greens (optional)

Preparation 

Mix all these ingredients in a blender and blend well until all material achieves the consistency of a puree. Transfer it into the glass, embellish to your heart's content, and enjoy each delightful sip.

Nutrient profile

Each serving has the following nutrients, 

Calories: 403

Carbohydrates: 62g

Proteins: 14g

Fats: 11g

View the full recipe at To Taste.

Blueberry smoothie supplemented with silken tofu 

Tofu is a soy food and, like other soy foods, is an excellent source of protein. It is added to the smoothies as a protein source. The soft silken tofu used in this shake was chosen because it blends easily in smoothies and shakes. 

Ingredients

1. Six ounces (170g) of silken tofu
2. One medium-sized ripe banana
3. ⅔ cup (or 160ml) of unsweetened soy milk
4. A handful of ice cubes (optional) 
5. One cup (or 190g) of frozen or fresh blueberries 
6. One tablespoon of honey

Preparation

Remove excessive water from tofu by draining it. Add all ingredients except honey and blueberries, and blend it for 30 seconds. Now add honey and blueberries and mix well until a smooth texture appears. Fill the glass carefully, adorn it with the desired garnishes, and luxuriate in each sip.

Nutrient profile 

Each serving has the following nutrients, 

Calories: 493

Carbohydrates: 66g

Proteins: 28g

Fats: 13g

View the full recipe at the Spruce Eats.

Pea Protein based green smoothie

This shake is excellent for a vegan. The people often complained about the flavourless and chalky nature of the plant-based protein sources. However, their palatability and taste have improved considerably. This shake's simple yet effective ingredients are excellent for breakfast and post-workout recovery. 

Ingredients 

1. I cup or 240ml unsweetened coconut milk
2. One frozen medium-sized banana
3. One tablespoon of peanut butter
4. Two cups or 60g of fresh spinach
5. A handful of ice cubes (optional) 

Preparation

Combine all ingredients in a high-speed blender until a smooth texture appears. Spoon it into the glass, add a touch of flair, and delight in every mouthful.

Nutrient profile 

Each serving has the following nutrients, 

Calories: 363

Carbohydrates: 30g

Proteins: 27g

Fats: 15g

View the full recipe at a sweet pea chef.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best milkshake for weight gain? 

Shakes containing high calories and high protein content, e.g. blueberries, peanut butter, chocolate, strawberry, and silken smoothies, help people gain weight. These shakes have good fat and are healthy ones.

Which shake is the number 1 for weight gain? 

Calling some shake "number 1" is subjective, and many factors are included. In our ranking, a peanut butter chocolate shake enriched with Greek yoghurt ensures the fastest weight gain. It has the highest amount of proteins, carbohydrates, calories and other nutrients in a healthy formulation.

What is the best way to gain weight? 

The best way is to add high-calorie dishes to the diet. Enriched shakes, smoothies, soups and mashed potatoes offer the best way out. Unhealthy snacks like potato fries are not advised as they cause an increase in bad cholesterol.

Which is the best protein powder for weight gain? 

The protein powders provide a good way to increase weight and are easily blended into the smoothies. The best protein powders of 2024 are Naked Whey Chocolate Protein Powder, KOS Organic Protein Powder, Momentous Collagen Peptides, Thorne Chocolate Whey Protein Isolate and  Dymatize Whey Protein Powder. 

How do you gain 5kg in just one month? 

Gaining weight depends upon Hormonal factors. Some of the best options are eating 3-5 meals daily, practising weight training, taking enough protein, taking meals containing fibres and fats, regularly taking smoothies and shakes containing high calories and seeking professional guidance whenever needed. 

What is the best food to gain weight?

Increasing the intake of proteins and fats offers the fastest way to increase weight. The best foods to consider are full-fat yoghurt, whole milk, cheese, eggs, beans, fish, chicken, red meat, butter, nuts and olives. 

Bottom line 

Weight gainers, particularly shakes and smoothies, offer a healthier way to gain weight. The shakes, e.g., peanut butter chocolate shake enriched with Greek yoghurt, provide calories, proteins, fats and carbohydrates that stimulate a smooth and healthy weight gain. Each gulp of these shakes not only tantalises the taste buds but helps to nourish the muscles and transform the body.

Besides these customisable homemade shakes, various ready-made protein shakes offer everything one needs for weight gain. Read about the Best Protein Shakes for more details. For your convenience, we have detailed the 15 best protein powders of 2024 in another must-read article.

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