Introduction
Healthy milkshakes for weight gain provide a nutritious and appealing way to add extra calories. They are a more calorie-dense option that is easy to consume.
The use of whole milk, yogurt, nut butter, and a variety of fruits contributes to the delivery of the necessary nutrients, protein, and healthy oils, which improve not only calorie intake but also the recovery and growth of muscles.
- Introduction
- The Benefits of drinking healthy milkshakes for weight gain
- Key Ingredients for Healthy Milkshakes for Weight Gain
- Best Dairy and Non-Dairy Milk Options
- 5 Delicious and Nutritious Milkshake Recipes for Weight Gain
- Tips for maximizing weight gain with milkshakes
- Conclusion
Such ingredients as oats, seeds, and protein powders can also be used according to custom. Consuming such a beverage regularly will bring the desired effect and satisfy you with a good treat.
The Benefits of drinking healthy milkshakes for weight gain
1. High-calorie content
Whole milk, ice cream, or nut butter can consume significant calories. It can slightly increase your appetite, and you will not feel overfull.
2. Nutrient-dense
If you consume shakes with fruits, seeds, or a high-quality protein powder. You can consume essential vitamins, minerals, and macronutrients.
3. Protein source
Adding yogurt, ice cream, or protein powder into your shake can be a good protein source. It particularly benefits people who want to gain muscle weight, not fat.
Customizable for dietary preferences
1. Dairy-free
Use the Pea, almond milk, or lactose-free to make a milkshake. In addition, use lactose-free ice cream or yogurt. Simultaneously, you can add coconut or soy yogurts and ice cream.
2. Gluten-free
Use the gluten-free oats and protein powder instead of the gluten-filled whey protein. Moreover, make the recipe low in sugar by adding unsweetened milk, dates, honey, or stevia as a natural sweetener.
3. Low in sugar
Make the recipe low in sugar by using the no-sugar milk alternatives and nut butter, dates, and honey for the sweetness.
4. High in protein
You can increase the protein by adding the mentioned products in the heading.
5. Nut-free
Replace the almond butter or other tree nuts with the sunflower and tahini butter.
Key Ingredients for Healthy Milkshakes for Weight Gain
Below is the Table where we mention ingredients we use in healthy milkshakes for weight gain.
Ingredients | Examples | Purpose |
---|---|---|
Base Liquid | Whole Milk, Almond Milk, Coconut Milk, Oat Milk | Non-diluted sources of macronutrients; provide creaminess and necessary fats in the form of calories. |
Protein Sources | Greek Yogurt, Protein Powder (Whey or Plant-Based) | Supplies needed protein to boost calorie intake and support muscle growth, which helps burn calories. |
Fruits | Bananas, Berries, Mango, Papaya, Peach, Pineapple | Provides natural sugars, vitamins, minerals, and nutrients while satisfying sweet cravings. |
Healthy Fats | Chia Seeds, Flax Seed Oil, Coconut Oil | Adds healthy fats to spike calorie count if needed, but excessive intake should be avoided to prevent fatty liver disease. |
Sweetener | Honey, Agave Nectar, Dates | Enhances sweetness if fruits alone don’t suffice, providing natural sweetness to the milkshake. |
Best Dairy and Non-Dairy Milk Options
- Almond milk: Calorie is low, and it contains vitamin E. Unsweetened versions contain fewer calories, but they are also enriched with calcium and vitamin D.
- Oat milk: calories are relatively high; it is a creamy, healthy, non-dairy option made with fiber and B vitamins and suitable for weight gain.
- Coconut milk is rich in calories and fats: It is very effective for adding additional calories to the smoothie and is also rich in healthy fats. Soy milk is rich in protein and nutritionally best in calories and is also used as the closest replacement for milk.
- Cashew milk is rich and creamy: It is low in calories and less nutritious, though it is fortified with vitamins and minerals.
- Hemp milk: It is rich in Omega-3 fats and has moderate calories. One of the types of milk can be selected depending upon the person’s requirement, whether they want to reduce or gain weight.
5 Delicious and Nutritious Milkshake Recipes for Weight Gain
Recipe 1: Peanut butter banana milkshake
Ingredients
- 2 ripe bananas
- 2 tbsp peanut butter
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- Have some ice cubes to thicken
Instructions
- Peel and chop the bananas, then blend them.
- Add the peanut butter, milk, Greek yogurt, honey, and vanilla extract.
- Mix at the highest speed until everything is smooth and creamy.
- If you want a thicker shake, add a few ice cubes [….]
- Serve and enjoy your protein, fat, and energy-packed peanut butter banana milkshake. It is the best thing to use to gain some weight.
Recipe 2: chocolate avocado milkshake
Ingredients
- One ripe avocado
- Two tablespoons of cocoa powder
- One glass of whole milk
- 1/2 glass of Greek yogurt
- 1-2 tablespoons honey
- One teaspoon of vanilla essence
- Ice cubes
Instructions
- Take one ripe avocado and blend it in an electrical blender.
- Add two tablespoons of cocoa powder, one glass of whole milk, Greek yogurt, 1-2 tablespoons of honey, and vanilla essence.
- Blend all the ingredients until a homogenous, processed mixture is created.
- In the cause that you want your milkshake to be thicker, you can add ice cubes and blend yet another time.
- Pour the milkshake into a glass and enjoy this tasty, creamy drink!
- This milkshake is also suitable for gaining weight. It is nutritious, containing plenty of fats, especially those derived from avocado.
Recipe 3: Greek yogurt berry milkshake
Ingredients
- Mixed 1 cup of berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and others)
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt (to increase the calorie content of the drink, you can take a higher-fat product)
- One glass of milk (you can also use almond milk instead)
- 1 tbsp. l. honey or maple syrup (to make the drink sweet, you can add to taste and not such a large portion of sugar substitute)
- a few drops of vanilla extract
- ice (if you want your drink to be thicker and colder)
Instructions
- In a blender, place the berries.
- On top of them, pour Greek yogurt, milk, honey or maple syrup, and vanilla extract.
- Mix all the ingredients at high speed until a homogeneous mass is formed, reminiscent of a silk milkshake.
- add a few ice cubes so the drink does not turn out liquid and thicker. Once again, drive all the ingredients into a homogeneous foam state.
Recipe 4: Almond butter date shake
Ingredients
- Two tablespoons of almond butter.
- 4 – 6 Medjool dates, pitted.
- One cup of almond milk or other milk of your choice.
- one-half cup of Greek yogurt; you may skip the use of Greek yogurt to lower the calorie count, but if you’re looking to make the drink even healthier and creamier, Greek yogurt is an excellent idea because it is high in protein;
- one-quarter of a teaspoon of cinnamon is optional and depends on your preferences.
- Ice cubes, which are also optional but can allow the drink to become thicker.
Instructions
- Take a regular blender and place your almond butter and pitted dates inside; alternatively, you can use a food processor instead of a blender.
- Pour the almond milk into the blender and add Greek yogurt, which is optional.
- Start the blender and use the highest speed to ensure the mixture is smooth and creamy; this will take about 30 seconds.
- It is essential that your Medjool dates are correctly mixed in, so you should always check the texture to ensure the dates are well blended.
- If you want the drink to be thicker, you can adjust the texture by adding a few cubes of ice into the mixture, then turn on the blender one more time;
- Pour the result into the glass, and if you want, feel free to sprinkle the top with some cinnamon.
Recipe 5: Tropical coconut mango milkshake
Ingredients
- 1 ripe mango (peeled and diced)
- 1 cup coconut milk (total fat for creaminess)
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt (optional for extra creaminess and protein)
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (optional for sweetness)
- 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract (optional)
- Ice cubes (optional for thickness)
Instructions
- Blend the diced mango in a blender.
- Add the coconut milk, Greek yogurt, honey, and vanilla extract.
- Start the blender and mix everything until it’s all smooth and creamy.
- If you want it to be even thicker, add ice cubes and blend everything until the ice is completely incorporated.
- Pour into a glass and enjoy your tropical, refreshing coconut mango milkshake.
Tips for maximizing weight gain with milkshakes
Meal replacements vs supplements
Both milkshake replacements and supplements can have merits. The former is suitable for meals, providing the amount of nutrition and calories every meal should.
Meanwhile, the latter is advantageous as a complement to your usual diet, both as a nutrient supplement and added caloric intake. Make a choice based on your lifestyle.
When to drink milkshakes for optimal results
To benefit from milkshakes to the fullest and enhance weight gain or nutrition supplementation, the following optimal times to drink them are recommended:
1. Post-exercise
Post-workout milkshakes contribute to the recovery of muscles by replenishing their energy source provided by the glycogen stores and include proteins needed for the repair and growth of muscles.
To maximize this benefit, include Greek yogurt or protein powder in your shake.
2. Meal replacement
If you are too busy to prepare a meal, drink a milkshake with the maximal caloric content to ensure weight maintenance or increase. At the same time, it should not contain carbs only, so ensure the ingredients combine protein and healthy fats.
3. Between meals
Since milkshakes do not give this sensation of being full that solid food does, use it as a snack between meals and intake additional calories. Make sure that it is a calorie-dense shake including, for example, nut butter or full-fat dairy.
4. In the morning
A milkshake at the beginning of the day ensures the calorie intake is vital for a good mood and a new day’s activities and makes breakfast time the easiest. Solid components, such as fruits, can be added to complete the breakfast.
5. Before bed
A milkshake drunk before sleep time provides nighttime energy, supporting muscle recovery and growth. Include casein protein in your shake, which can be taken from dairy or as a casein supplement.
Since it is well-digested during sleep, providing the body with amino acids.
Conclusion
One of the delicious strategies combining weight gain and versatile, healthy tastes is the possibility of incorporating some healthy milkshakes for weight gain into a daily diet.
There are five essential recipes to consider: an ingredient list for a peanut butter banana shake, the approach to making a chocolate avocado milkshake, a description of a Greek yogurt berry smoothie with coconut, a recipe for an almond butter dates shake, and the characteristic of a tropical coconut mango smoothie these shakes are a rich source of nutrients.
Depending on the ingredients, shakes can be combined or enjoyed separately. They are an excellent source of healthy fats, proteins, and carbohydrates in a well-balanced mixture that is not too heavy for breakfast or a snack.