10 Best Drinks That Help You Gain Weight
Being lean is desirable and healthy; however, if your body mass index (BMI) is below 18.5, it means you are underweight. While some individuals are naturally underweight due to fast metabolism or genetics, for others, being underweight could imply an underlying health issue or improper nutrition.
If you want to stock up on calories, this article lists 10 drinks that help you gain weight.
Ways To Gain Weight In Several Healthy Ways
Being underweight is not only indicative of a possible health issue, but it can also lead to health complications like fragile bones and a weakened immune system. You can lose weight due to certain medications or if you’re recovering from an illness, or you could be naturally underweight.
There are multiple ways of gaining weight; however, the best one involves slow and sustained weight gain and avoiding high-fat and high-sugar foods. Read on for some tips to help you gain weight healthily.
1. Eat More Often
Instead of three regular meals, have 5 to 6 smaller ones. This works amazingly for people who feel full quickly.
2. Eat More Calories
You need to eat more than you burn. Your metabolism plays a vital role in weight gain. If you have a fast metabolism, be prepared to consume loads of calories.
3. Drink Your Calories
Include calorie-rich drinks like juices, milk, full-fat dairy, and smoothies in your diet.
4. Eat High-Calorie Fruits And Vegetables
High-calorie foods like bananas, raisins, and dates help you achieve your daily calorie requirement without making you feel full quickly.
5. Include Snacks
Enjoy protein-rich snacks like crackers, protein drinks, and protein bars between meals. You can also include nuts and avocados, which have “good fats”.
10 Drinks That Help You Gain Weight
Adequate fluid intake is vital not only for weight gain but also for your overall well-being. Sip on these drinks listed below between meals to meet your body’s daily fluid requirement and add calories. Feel free to change the ingredients to make the recipes suit your tastes.
1. Green Smoothie With Greek Yogurt (495 kcal)
Image source: Pinterest
Ingredients:
• 3 cups spinach
• 1 cup pineapple (fresh/canned/frozen)
• 1 ripe banana
• 6 ounces of fruit juice
• 1 cup Greek yogurt
Instructions:
Add all ingredients to a blender, and blend until smooth.
Besides high calories, the smoothie is also rich in protein and nutritious ingredients. With veggies, fruits, and yogurt, the smoothie is a high-energy drink that will keep you energized for an extended period.
2. Iced Coffee (240 kcal)
Ingredients:
• 1 scoop ice cream
• 200 ml whole milk
• Instant coffee
• 2 teaspoons sugar
Instructions:
• Take 2 teaspoons of hot water and dissolve the coffee in it.
• Add all the other ingredients and mix.
• Refrigerate or add ice.
Coffee alone may not be able to help with weight gain. But when you add cream, sugar, and milk to it, its calorie content increases significantly, helping you achieve your ideal weight.
3. Chocolate Peanut Butter Shake With Greek Yogurt (587 kcal)
Image source: Pinterest
Ingredients:
• 180 ml whole milk
• 1 large banana
• ¾ cup Greek yogurt
• 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 1 tablespoon peanut butter
• 1 tablespoon honey
Instructions:
• Add all ingredients to a blender.
• Blend at high speed until you achieve a smooth consistency.
The smoothie has Greek yogurt, which is a great source of protein. Combine this high-protein base with honey and peanut butter, which are great for weight gain.
4. Hot Chocolate (230 kcal)
Ingredients:
• 200 ml whole milk
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 tablespoon drinking chocolate
Instructions:
• Combine all the ingredients.
• Heat in a microwave oven or on the stove.
• For more calories, add cream.
Hot chocolate has lots of sugar and fats that lead to weight gain when consumed in moderation.
5. Honey Malt (280 kcal)
Image source: Pinterest
Ingredients:
• 200 ml whole milk
• 1 scoop vanilla ice cream
• 1 tablespoon clear honey
• 1 heaped teaspoon malted milk powder
Instructions:
• Dissolve the milk powder in hot water.
• Add the remaining ingredients.
• Refrigerate or add ice.
The drink contains ice cream, honey, and milk, all of which are excellent sources of protein and fats. It also has malt, which contains minerals, dietary silicon, essential vitamins, and amino acids.
6. Fortified Fruit Juice (200 kcal)
Ingredients:
• 10 g egg white powder
• 40 ml undiluted cordial/squash
• 180 ml fresh fruit juice
Instructions:
• Take the egg white powder in a bowl and add cordial, a little at a time.
• Mix (do not whisk) and add the fruit juice.
The drink has fruit juice, egg white powder, and cordial, which is high in calories and a good source of protein.
7. Apple Cinnamon Hemp Heart Protein Smoothie (895 kcal)
Image source: Pinterest
Ingredients:
• 360 ml whole milk
• 2 tbsp almond butter
• ⅓ cup rolled oats
• 2 apples (sliced)
• 2 tablespoons chia seeds
• 2 tablespoons hemp hearts
• 1 Medjool date
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Ice cubes
• Cinnamon (to taste)
Instructions:
Combine all ingredients and blend.
The smoothie has a slew of high-calorie foods that help with weight gain. Rich in nuts and seeds, the drink is also high in vitamins, minerals, and fats.
8. Chocolate Avocado Smoothie With Flaxseed (671 kcal)
Image source: Pinterest
Ingredients:
• 240 ml whole milk
• 5-6 pitted dates
• ½ avocado
• 1 banana
• ¼ cup chocolate whey protein powder
• 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Ice cubes
Instructions:
Combine all the ingredients and blend to form a smoothie.
The drink contains carbs, protein, and fats that provide high-calorie content. With ingredients like dates and flaxseed, the smoothie is rich in magnesium and omega-3 fatty acids.
9. Fruity Yogurt Drink (400 kcal)
Image source: Pinterest
Ingredients:
• 300 ml whole milk
• 1 small banana
• 3 pineapple rings
• 1 pot yogurt
Instructions:
Add the ingredients to a blender and blend at high speed.
The drink has milk, yogurt, and fruits, all of which are rich protein sources. Also, yogurt and bananas are high-energy foods that pack enough calories to help you gain weight. Along with nutrients, the drink also has beneficial bacteria that aid digestion.
10. Strawberry Banana Smoothie With Kefir (403 kcal)
Image source: Pinterest
Ingredients:
• 1 cup strawberries (fresh or frozen)
• 1 cup whole milk kefir
• 1 ripe banana
• ¼ cup oats
• Ice cubes
Instructions:
Mix all ingredients and blend.
The simple smoothie has a kefir base, a fermented milk beverage. It is high in protein and has good bacteria.