What Drink Will Help Me Gain Weight Fast?

November 16, 2025 •

4 min read

According to a 2022 review of research, protein supplementation combined with resistance training can improve lean body mass, demonstrating that the right beverages are crucial for weight management. If you're wondering what drink will help me gain weight fast, incorporating calorie-dense and nutrient-rich liquids can effectively increase your daily caloric intake without feeling overly full.

Quick Summary

Several beverages, such as homemade protein shakes, full-fat milk, and nutritious smoothies, are excellent for healthy weight gain. The key is to select calorie-dense ingredients rich in protein, healthy fats, and carbohydrates to create a caloric surplus and support muscle growth. Customizable, convenient drinks are ideal for boosting intake between meals or post-workout.

Key Points

Homemade Shakes: Custom high-calorie shakes with ingredients like whole milk, protein powder, and nuts offer the most control over nutrition and are highly effective.
Whole Milk: A classic weight-gain drink, whole milk provides balanced macronutrients (protein, carbs, fats) and supports muscle growth when paired with exercise.
Convenience of Pre-made Shakes: For busy individuals, commercial nutritional shakes like Boost or Ensure offer a quick and easy way to add substantial calories.
Strategic Timing: Consume high-calorie drinks between meals, post-workout, or before bed to maximize calorie intake without disrupting main meals.
Balanced Macros: Focus on drinks that provide a healthy balance of protein, carbs, and fats to ensure weight gain is healthy and sustainable, rather than relying on empty calories.
Caloric Surplus: To gain weight, a caloric surplus is necessary. High-calorie drinks help achieve this goal by making it easier to consume more calories than you burn daily.

Why Focus on Drinks for Weight Gain?

For many people, consistently consuming enough calories through solid food alone can be challenging, especially for those with a fast metabolism or a small appetite. High-calorie drinks offer a convenient solution, allowing you to pack essential nutrients and calories into a liquid form that is easy to consume throughout the day. Integrating these drinks can help create the necessary caloric surplus for healthy and sustainable weight gain. The best options focus on quality ingredients that provide a balance of macronutrients, such as protein for muscle repair, healthy fats for energy, and carbohydrates for fuel.

The Most Effective Weight-Gaining Drinks

Homemade High-Calorie Smoothies Homemade smoothies give you complete control over ingredients, making them one of the most effective and healthy options. You can customize them with calorie-dense components to meet your specific goals. Here are a few potent combinations:

Chocolate Banana Peanut Butter Shake: Blend 1 banana, 1 scoop of chocolate whey protein powder, 1 cup of whole milk, and 2 tablespoons of peanut butter for a protein-packed, high-calorie treat.
Tropical Avocado Smoothie: For a healthy fat boost, combine 1/2 a ripe avocado, 1 cup of coconut milk, 1 cup of frozen pineapple, and a tablespoon of honey. This creates a creamy, nutrient-rich option.
Oatmeal Power Shake: Mix 1/2 cup of rolled oats, 1 cup of whole milk, 1 scoop of vanilla protein powder, and a tablespoon of almond butter for complex carbs and sustained energy.

Whole Milk Whole milk has been a reliable weight-gaining beverage for decades and is an excellent source of protein, carbs, and fats. It provides both casein and whey proteins, which have been shown to help with muscle growth, especially when combined with weightlifting. For those with lactose intolerance, lactose-free whole milk is a viable alternative. Adding a glass of whole milk with meals is a simple way to increase your daily calorie and protein intake.

Pre-made Nutritional Shakes For those who prefer a convenient, ready-to-drink option, commercially available nutritional shakes are a good choice. Products like Boost Very High Calorie or Ensure Plus offer a pre-portioned, calorically-dense solution. They are specifically formulated to support weight gain and can be an excellent mini-meal replacement for individuals with low appetites.

Comparison of Top Weight-Gain Drink Options


Drink Type	Caloric Density	Nutrient Profile	Main Benefits	Best For	Considerations
Homemade Protein Shake	Very High (Customizable)	Excellent (Protein, Carbs, Fats)	Maximum control over ingredients; can exceed 1000+ calories	Individuals with specific dietary preferences and those who want to maximize nutritional quality	Requires preparation time; may require a blender
Whole Milk	Moderate	Good (Protein, Carbs, Fats)	A simple, affordable, and readily available option	People who tolerate dairy well and want to add steady calories	Lower calories per serving than a dedicated shake; some may have lactose intolerance
Pre-made Nutritional Shake	High	Very Good (Fortified)	Convenient, consistent calorie count; requires no preparation	Those with diminished appetite or requiring quick, reliable calorie boosts	Often contains added sugars and artificial ingredients; higher cost than homemade options
Full-Fat Yogurt Drink	Moderate-High	Excellent (Protein, Calcium)	Contains probiotics for gut health; very versatile for mixing	Individuals seeking gut health benefits along with a calorie boost	Calorie content varies widely depending on yogurt and added ingredients

Creating Your Own Healthy Weight-Gaining Drink

Making your own shakes is not only cost-effective but also ensures you're using the freshest, healthiest ingredients. The process is simple and can be tailored to your taste and nutritional needs. Start with a base liquid, like whole milk, almond milk, or coconut milk. Then, choose your primary calorie boosters.

Here's a simple guide to build your own:

Base: 1-1.5 cups of whole milk or a calorie-dense plant-based milk.
Protein: 1-2 scoops of your preferred protein powder (whey, casein, or plant-based) or 1/2 cup of full-fat Greek yogurt or cottage cheese.
Healthy Fats: 1-2 tablespoons of peanut butter, almond butter, avocado, or a handful of nuts.
Carbohydrates: 1 medium banana, 1/2 cup of oats, or a handful of dried fruit for energy.
Flavor/Sweetener: Add natural ingredients like a teaspoon of honey, maple syrup, cocoa powder, or cinnamon to taste.

Blend all ingredients until smooth and enjoy. For a colder shake, add ice cubes or use frozen fruit.

Timing Your Weight-Gain Drinks

For best results, consume your high-calorie drink at strategic times throughout the day.

Breakfast Booster: Starting your day with a high-calorie smoothie can immediately set you up for a caloric surplus. This is especially helpful if you find eating a large breakfast difficult.
Between Meals: Drinking a shake between your main meals helps increase your calorie intake without affecting your appetite for lunch or dinner.
Post-Workout: A protein and carb-rich shake after a strength-training session is ideal for muscle repair and growth. This helps your body use the nutrients to build muscle mass rather than storing excess calories as fat.
Bedtime Snack: A slow-digesting casein protein shake before bed can provide a sustained release of amino acids to fuel muscle growth and prevent catabolism while you sleep.

Conclusion: Selecting the Right Drink for Your Needs

Ultimately, the best drink for you depends on your personal preferences, dietary restrictions, and lifestyle. Homemade shakes offer the most nutritional control and are often the healthiest choice. However, for those seeking convenience, pre-made nutritional shakes are a reliable alternative. Always prioritize beverages with a balanced mix of quality protein, healthy fats, and complex carbs to ensure healthy and effective weight gain. For anyone with underlying health concerns, consulting a healthcare professional before significantly altering your diet is advisable.

Frequently Asked Questions

While convenient, many pre-made gainers contain high amounts of added sugars and artificial ingredients. They can be useful in the short term, but homemade shakes with whole foods are generally a healthier and more nutritious option for long-term use.

Whole milk is a good source of calories and protein, and can certainly assist in weight gain. However, combining it with other calorie-dense foods or blending it into a smoothie will be more effective for faster results.

The ideal number depends on your individual calorie needs. Start by adding one high-calorie shake per day and monitor your progress. You can increase to two or more, consuming them between meals or as a post-workout drink, as needed.

Both are effective. Whey protein is fast-digesting and ideal for post-workout shakes, while casein is slow-digesting, making it suitable for bedtime shakes to provide sustained nutrition overnight. Some gainers use a blend of both.

For dairy-free options, you can use high-calorie plant-based milks like coconut or soy milk as a base. Add protein from sources like pea protein powder, and boost calories with avocado, nut butters, and oats.

Yes. Ingredients like avocado, almond butter, or coconut milk blend in well, providing extra calories and a creamy texture without overpowering the flavor. You can also use a flavorless oil like olive oil.

A typical protein shake primarily focuses on protein for muscle repair, while a weight gainer shake provides a much higher calorie count per serving, often with a specific ratio of carbs and fats to help you gain mass and body weight.