My avocado smoothie for weight gain might sound a little unusual at first, but don’t knock it until you try it. It’s a great option if you’re trying to gain weight or have trouble maintaining a healthy weight. Avocado, peanut butter, Medjool dates, and cocoa powder blend into a sweet and creamy drink with no added sugar. Get the recipe and explore more ideas for weight gain smoothies here.
👪 Who needs weight gain smoothies?
When I created this avocado smoothie recipe, I had several groups in mind who might benefit from high-calorie drinks.
Some people need help gaining weight, while others have different nutritional needs. It would be simple if one meal plan worked for everyone, but the truth is, our food choices are shaped by many factors. Good nutrition advice isn’t one-size-fits-all.
Here are a few groups that may find high-calorie smoothies helpful:
- People undergoing medical treatments that cause nausea: As a cancer survivor, I remember how hard it was to maintain weight during chemotherapy. When nausea makes eating tough, smoothies can be easier to tolerate.
- Individuals with certain medical conditions: Some health issues can make it difficult to gain or maintain weight, including eating disorders, type 1 diabetes, GI conditions, or hyperemesis gravidarum. If you’re experiencing unintentional weight loss, it’s important to talk with your doctor. Sometimes high-calorie snacks alone aren’t enough.
- Bodybuilders and athletes: Many in the fitness community use smoothies to meet energy and protein needs. This particular avocado smoothie may be too low in protein for muscle-building goals in this group.
- Children and teens: Young kids may be picky, and active teens often need more calories than they can get from meals alone. High-calorie healthy smoothies and snacks can support growth and energy without relying on junk food.
- Older adults: Seniors may lose weight due to chronic illness or difficulty chewing. Smoothies are a gentle, nourishing way to get more calories and nutrients when solid food becomes a challenge.
🥑 Avocado Smoothie for Weight Gain Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you need to make my avocado weight gain smoothie:
- 6 Medjool dates, pitted and chopped (fresh dates, not the ones in the baking aisle)
- 6 tablespoons boiling water
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1¼ cups frozen chopped avocado
- 4 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons dark cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- chopped peanuts, whipped cream, maraschino cherries (optional toppings)
Get a printable recipe card below!
Dark cocoa powder is the key ingredient that hides both the green color and the taste of avocado. My family gave it their stamp of approval, and I think you will too. That said, you can skip the cocoa powder or the cinnamon depending on the flavors you crave.
You can swap the dates and water for a frozen chopped banana if you want a different flavor variation.
My goal was to create a high-calorie smoothie that tastes like a dessert. If you’re struggling to eat enough, the recipe needs to be not just nutritious but truly delicious. For an extra dessert-like experience, try adding toppings such as:
- Whipped cream
- Crushed nuts
- A maraschino cherry
The result is a rich, indulgent smoothie with over 700 calories per serving.
To make this avocado smoothie for weight gain, you’ll need a food processor or a high-powered blender. A mini food chopper is useful for blending the small amount of date paste. It’s important to use something strong enough to fully puree the dates and avocado until smooth.
One last tip: this smoothie is extra thick. I recommend serving it with a spoon or using extra-wide smoothie straws for easier sipping.
🥤 How to Make an Avocado Smoothie
Pit and chop the Medjool dates. Pour a small amount of boiling water over the dates and let them sit for 10 minutes.
Put the dates and water into a food processor and blend it into a smooth date paste. You may need to scrape down the sides of the processor with a spatula several times if the dates are sticking to the sides.
Add the milk, frozen avocado, peanut butter, cocoa powder, and cinnamon to the food processor with the date puree. Blend everything together until smooth.
Divide the smoothie into two tall glasses and top with whipped cream, chopped peanuts, and a cherry (if desired). Enjoy!
Pour leftovers of this smoothie into popsicle molds to freeze and enjoy later.
Avocado Smoothie for Weight Gain Recipe
My avocado smoothie for weight gain might sound a little unusual at first, but don’t knock it until you try it.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 2
Calories 682 kcal
Please leave a comment below 😊
Pour the boiling water over the Medjool dates. Let sit for 10 minutes.
Put the dates and water into a food processor and blend into a smooth date paste. You will need to scrape down the sides of the processor with a spatula several times because the dates will stick to the sides.
Add all ingredients, except the optional toppings, to a food processor with the dates. Blend until completely smooth. Pour into two glasses and serve. If desired, garnish with whipped cream, peanuts, and cherries.
Save this RecipeSaved!
💭 Expert Tips from Dietitian Summer Yule
This is a level 3 recipe (weight maintenance and active lifestyles). High-calorie smoothies can be a helpful way to gain weight while still eating well. Drinking calories rather than eating them may reduce early fullness and make it easier to meet your energy needs.
Here are some key benefits of this smoothie:
Healthy fats: Avocado and peanut butter provide plant-based fats that are calorie-dense. While protein and carbs have 4 calories per gram, fats offer 9, making them ideal for high-calorie recipes.
Protein: Milk and peanut butter are the main protein sources here. Since protein can be very filling, this smoothie keeps the protein moderate to avoid early satiety.
Fiber: Dates and avocado provide fiber, which supports healthy digestion.
No added sugar: Instead of table sugar, this smoothie uses pureed dates for natural sweetness along with vitamins and minerals.
Potassium: This recipe is rich in potassium, an essential nutrient which supports healthy blood pressure, heart, and kidney function.
Tastes great: When encouraging someone to eat more, taste matters. This smoothie has the creamy texture and flavor of a dessert, making it both enjoyable and nourishing.
To modify the recipe:
For a keto version, replace the dates with a low-carb sweetener and use heavy cream or coconut cream instead of milk. You can add protein powder to balance the macronutrients.
To make it vegan, simply swap the dairy milk for calcium-fortified, unsweetened soy milk. Almond and oat milk are lower in protein and may not offer the same nutritional boost.
Nutrition information is for one serving of the recipe without toppings. Topping each smoothie with 2 tablespoons of chopped peanuts adds approximately 90 calories per serving.
nutrition info disclaimer
All recipes on this website may or may not be appropriate for you, depending on your medical needs and personal preferences. Consult with a registered dietitian or your physician if you need help determining the dietary pattern that may be best for you.
The nutrition information is an estimate provided as a courtesy. It will differ depending on the specific brands and ingredients that you use. Calorie information on food labels may be inaccurate, so please don’t sweat the numbers too much.
“To taste” means to your preferences, which may have to be visual to follow food safety rules. Please don’t eat undercooked food x
Calories: 682kcalCarbohydrates: 76.5gProtein: 19.4gFat: 38.8gSaturated Fat: 10gPotassium: 850.5mgFiber: 13.1gVitamin A: 6.1% DVVitamin C: 19.7% DVCalcium: 36.6% DVIron: 20.5% DV
Keywords avocado smoothie for weight gain, avocado weight gain smoothie
💪 More Smoothies for Weight Gain
If you’re not a fan of avocado or peanut butter, there are plenty of other ingredients you can use to create a high-calorie smoothie. Here are some high-fat options to get you started:
- Other nut and seed butters
- Nuts and seeds like chia seeds or hemp hearts
- Added fats such as coconut oil
- Full-fat coconut milk
- Heavy cream
- 6% cottage cheese
If you’re open to added sugars, these ingredients can help boost calories:
- Ice cream
- Fruit or juice concentrates
- Honey
- Maple syrup
Many fruits and vegetables, like strawberries or kale, are relatively low in calories. To add more body and energy to your smoothie, try banana, thickened applesauce or pear sauce, or even instant potato flakes.
For extra protein, here are a few great additions:
- Protein powder
- Dry milk powder
- Peanut powder
- Cottage cheese (also listed under fats)
Depending on your blender or food processor, you can also add ingredients like oatmeal. Just be sure to adjust the liquid so your smoothie stays drinkable.
👩🏻🍳 Other High-Calorie Snacks for Weight Gain
Looking for more weight gain snacks? After you’ve tried the smoothie, here are some dessert and snack recipes you might enjoy:
Join our community! Subscribe for all of the latest and greatest recipes, and follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube!
Hello! I’m Summer, a registered dietitian and home chef who loves to cook, eat, and create recipes for you! Every recipe on this site has been tested by me to help ensure your success in the kitchen. All eaters are welcome here 🙂
Leave feedback about this