Chocolate Protein Smoothie For Weight Gain

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If you struggle to keep weight on, try this chocolate protein smoothie for weight gain. In just 5 minutes you'll have a nutrient-dense 650 calorie shake that offers up 38 grams of protein, 52 grams of carbs and 37 grams of fat.

Jump to:

• Why should you try this recipe?
• Ingredients
• Instructions
• Recipe Variations
• Equipment
• FAQs
• Similar Recipes
• Chocolate Protein Smoothie For Weight Gain

Why should you try this recipe?

First, let’s go back to the basics. How do you gain weight? 

Well, you gain weight by eating more calories than you burn. 

If you’re struggling to keep weight on, then you need to either decrease the amount of calories you’re burning OR increase the amount of calories you’re consuming. 

Since genetics play a role in how many calories you burn, the first option isn’t always in your control. Plus, I don't recommend decreasing exercise time since it has so many positive health benefits. 

So, that leaves you with the second option: consume more calories. 

Now, you could just start consuming donuts and pizza…

But, I assume if you’re reading this recipe, then you want to gain weight in a healthier way. That’s where this homemade protein shake for weight gain comes in. 

• It’s healthy: Most pre-made shakes increase calorie count using carbs and sugar. My recipe uses healthy fats and proteins instead. Both macronutrients promote weight gain, and also give your body essential nutrients. See here for the benefits of good fat and here for the benefits of protein.  
• It’s simple: Don’t have time to cook? Don’t have time to sit down for a meal? I got you. This protein shake for weight gain can be prepared in 5 minutes and enjoyed on-the-go. That means you're getting the nutrition and calories you need to gain weight, despite your busy lifestyle.
• It’s affordable: Let’s be real, food is expensive. If you’re struggling to keep weight on, then eating enough to gain weight can mean an expensive grocery bill. High calorie smoothies are a more affordable solution. 
• It’s tasty: This chocolate protein shake tastes like dessert. So, here's the bottom line - if you like desserts, you’ll like this smoothie. 

Scroll down to see the printable recipe with nutritional information.

Ingredients

Here's what you'll need for the best chocolate protein smoothie for weight gain.

• Chocolate protein powder: The protein powder adds calories and flavour. I use chocolate in this recipe to create a chocolate-banana flavour, but it can be replaced with another flavour if you prefer it.
• Ground flaxseed: This ingredient adds calories, while also piling on the health benefits. It's high in fiber and omega-3 fatty acids - both of which, many of us are not getting enough of.
• Cacao powder: This is optional. It's a healthy way of turning up the chocolate taste in this smoothie. But, it doesn't contribute much to the calorie count. So, if you aren't a huge chocolate fan, simply leave it out.
• Almond milk: Be sure to use unsweetened to cut down on added sugars. Our goal is to turn up the calories in this smoothie in a healthy way, not with unnecessary sweeteners.
• Greens: Whatever you have in your fridge! I used sprouts and kale in this recipe, but it can easily be replaced with spinach or spring mix. The more greens, the greener the flavour. So turn up to your tolerance.
• Avocado: This adds a ton of calories, while also giving you healthy fats that your body needs to function properly. It also helps create a creamy consistency.
• Frozen banana: This is where you'll get the sweetness from. The recipe calls for 1 banana, but you can go with ½ if you prefer less sweetness.

A note on protein powder

Adding protein powder to your shakes is an easy and efficient way to promote weight gain. 

But, not all protein powders are created equal. Many protein powders include a long list of ingredient names that you can’t pronounce.

To make things a little easier for you, I put together a list of things you’ll find in a high quality protein powder: 

1. No added sugars or artificial sweeteners - ensure it's sweetened naturally 
2. From grass fed cows, not treated with pesticides or hormones 
3. Cold processed
4. Whey protein concentrate, not protein isolates, unless you're lactose intolerant
5. Highly digestible—look for medium chain fatty acids (MCTs), not long chain fatty acids
6. Added enzymes to help with digestion and absorption

Scroll down to find the printable recipe with ingredient measurements.

Instructions

This chocolate protein smoothie for weight gain is prepared in the blender in a few easy steps.

• Add almond milk to blender.
• Layer on powders, in this case the protein powder, ground flaxseed and cacao powder.

• Next add the almond butter, avocado and greens.
• Finish with the frozen banana.
• Blend on high for 30-45 seconds. This will vary based on your blender, so blend until you reach your desired consistency.

• Enjoy.

Recipe Notes

The order of ingredients in your blender has a huge impact on the final consistency of your shake. If you want a delicious, frothy shake, you need to understand when to add each ingredient. I put together an infographic to take the guesswork out of it. Feel free to save, pin or print this guide so you have it handy next time you’re making a smoothie.

How To Store

• Fridge: store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 1-2 days.
• Freezer: store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.

For the full ingredient list and step-by-step directions, scroll down to view the recipe card.

Recipe Variations

• Make it sweeter: While I think this is sweet enough, you can easily sweeten this further to your taste buds. Add natural and unrefined sweeteners like additional banana, honey, maple syrup, or pitted dates. Medjool dates are the best option for smoothies. 
• Add in collagen: Add collagen peptides to your shake. While they won't add flavour or calories, they will have a positive effect on your skin, hair, nails, joints, ligaments, and gut health. My favourite collagen is TruMarine by WithinUs.
• Increase the greens: If you’d like to up the nutritional content, add a few extra handfuls of greens. Good options include: baby spinach, kale, sprouts, or celery. You can add as much as you want, it just depends how "green" you want your smoothie to taste.
• Increase the calorie count further: The best way to increase calories in a smoothie is by adding in healthy fats and proteins. Some healthy, high calorie options you can throw in this recipe include more: protein powders, nut butters, cooked grains, and seeds.

Equipment

Here's what you need to make smoothies for weight gain:

• Vitamix or any blender of your choice. I use the Vitamix now because it has an incredible processing speed that cuts down the time I spend blending. But, I used a Ninja blender successfully for years before upgrading.
• Mason jars or blender bottles for smoothie storage. If you're taking your smoothie on-the-go, the thermos blender bottle is a good option that will keep it cold all day long. I love using mine on road trips.

FAQs

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about this chocolate protein smoothie for weight gain.

Similar Recipes

Still hungry? If you enjoyed this homemade protein shake for weight gain, I invite you to check out two other healthy shakes that I hand selected for you.

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