This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

This smoothie recipe is inspired by my favorite treat at Disney World—the Dole Whip. Along with being a much healthier treat, it also works as a great weight-gain smoothie for those needing to increase their calories.

weight gain smoothie in glass with fresh pineapple and mint on top, next to a scoop of protein powder.

If you need to gain weight or increase your calorie intake, there are a few easy swaps you can make in smoothie recipes to do this. I’m sharing what those are and how to use them to help you consume healthy smoothies that can help you gain weight in a healthy way.

Table of Contents
  1. High Calorie Ingredients
  2. Healthy Fat Boosts
  3. How to Make a Weight Gain Smoothie
  4. Weight Gain SMoothie FAQs
  5. More Healthy Smoothie Recipes
  6. Weight Gain Smoothie Recipe

High Calorie Ingredients

labeled ingredients including pineapple juice, frozen pineapple, coconut milk and banana.

Traditional Dole Whip screams pineapple and coconut, but if you read the ingredient label you’ll find a lot more. For example, dextrose, maltodextrin, citric acid, artificial color, natural and artificial flavors and cellulose gums.

The recipe we’re making today is just four ingredients, and they are all plant-based whole foods. In other words, our version of the classic dole whip recipe will do your body some serious good! It includes:

I also recommend adding in a plant-based protein powder like my protein powder recipe to turn this smoothie into a meal. You can also add up to one cup of leafy greens for even more benefits.

Healthy Fat Boosts

If you are looking to add more healthy fat to smoothies, you can also include the following:

  • Hemp hearts
  • Chia seeds
  • Nut butter
  • Coconut flakes
  • Avocado

It’s not hard to boost smoothies with the nutrients you need to help your body thrive, and these are all great options that either add no flavor or add a light, nutty taste to your favorite smoothie recipes.

How to Make a Weight Gain Smoothie

blender container with ingredients for a smoothie on a counter next to a scoop of protein powder and a bunch of bananas.

When you need to gain weight, it can be difficult to get additional calories from regular meals. Adding a high-calorie smoothie to your diet is a great option to maximize calorie intake. Here’s how I’m blending mine:

  1. Shake the can of coconut milk vigorously to combine the fat and the milk before opening and pouring it into a measuring cup. If the contents are still a little separated when you open the can, whisk until the cream is well incorporated into the liquid.
  2. Add all of the ingredients to the blender and blend until smooth and creamy. To thin the consistency, add a little more pineapple juice or filtered water.
  3. Serve in a glass with a straw or spoon, depending on how thick you made it.

Turn this into a fun dessert by adding coconut whipped cream to the finished product, or sprinkle some chia seeds on top.

Weight Gain SMoothie FAQs

Which smoothie is best for weight gain?

I have a smoothie that tastes like Disney’s Dole Whip but is made with 100% real, nutrient-dense ingredients. My recipe uses full-fat coconut milk, pineapple chunks, pineapple juice and banana. It tastes incredible while also giving you the calories you need.

Can you drink smoothies to gain weight?

Yes! Your body will use those whole food plant-based ingredients the way it needs to. If you need to gain weight, then using high healthy fat, high calorie foods can definitely help. My smoothie recipe uses full-fat coconut milk, pineapple juice, pineapple chunks and bananas to give you great nutrients while also giving you needed calories.

How can I gain weight in a healthy way?

Focus on choosing high calorie, nutrient-dense foods like avocado, full-fat coconut milk, fruits that are higher on the glycemic index and more. Add healthy fat like chia seeds and hemp hearts to a variety of recipes, and use full-fat options instead of reduced or fat-free. If you need to gain weight, you can do it by eating whole food.

weight gain smoothie in a glass with pineapple and mint on top.

More Healthy Smoothie Recipes

Here are more recipes we have that are higher in calories, yet packed with nutrients to make sure you gain weight in a healthy way.

Would you please rate + review this smoothie once you’ve tried it? I’d love to hear how yours turns out!

4.20 from 5 votes

Weight Gain Smoothie

Enjoy this refreshing weight gain smoothie to nourish your body. Packed with nutrient-dense calories to energize and help you achieve your weight goals.
Prep: 5 minutes
Total: 5 minutes
Author: Jen Hansard
Course: Smoothie
Cuisine: Plant-Based, Vegan
Serves: 1 smoothie

Ingredients  

Instructions 

  • Combine all ingredients into blender.
  • Blend on high until smooth.
  • Pour into a glass and enjoy.
Save this recipe
Enter your email to get this recipe sent to you, plus enjoy weekly healthy recipes.

Notes

  • To add more calories, use canned full-fat coconut milk instead of light coconut milk.
  • Turn this recipe into a meal replacement shake by adding in 1 serving of my homemade protein powder.
  • Use at least 1 frozen ingredient for a refreshingly cool smoothie.
  • Feel free to add up to 1 cup of leafy greens per serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 664kcal, Carbohydrates: 63g, Protein: 7g, Fat: 49g, Saturated Fat: 43g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Sodium: 33mg, Potassium: 1176mg, Fiber: 6g, Sugar: 37g, Vitamin A: 174IU, Vitamin C: 97mg, Calcium: 76mg, Iron: 8mg
Tried this recipe? Show me!Mention @SimpleGreenSmoothies or tag #SimpleGreenSmoothies!

You might Also Love…

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Rating




Comments

  1. 1 star
    Geez…there is so much sugar and “saturated fat,” I don’t see how these could rate as being healthy?

    1. Hi Carol! Luckily most of the sugar in this one is natural sugar from the fruits. Most of the saturated fat is coming from the full-fat coconut milk, due to this being a weight-gain smoothie!

  2. I’m a amputated of above the knee which I lost 31 pounds from 110 lbs which left me weighing 79 lbs which I need to put some of this weight back on please help me

    1. Hi BJ! To add more calories, use canned full fat coconut milk vs light coconut milk. Hope this helps

  3. Hello I’m excited to try this! I just wanted to know much (regular) calories it is, not k calories? I tried to figure it out, but I keep getting this number 664000. Please help !

    1. Hi there, 664 calories is the total with a 2 tbsp servings of our Protein Powder. If you’re interested in increasing the calories, using full-fat canned coconut milk is a great option. The kcal is the technical term for what most people just call calories.

  4. This very good smoothie was a winner for my family as well as me thank you.

  5. I am on medication for my multiple myeloma I have bad appetite but I need to gain weight and I thought no the smoothies that help with weight gain iswhat I need

  6. 5 stars
    It’s so hard to find recipes that are helpful to those of us trying to maintain or gain weight, thank you for this!

  7. Can I use whole milk instead of coconut milk? I’m not a fan of anything coconut…
    Thanks!

    1. Hi Sissy! Great question. You can totally use any milk you prefer for your Dole Whip Weight Gain Smoothie. We recommend plant-based milk like almond or oat milk, yet if whole cow’s milk is your fav, then go for it!

  8. Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!!
    I need to gain weight and was so excited to see this recipe as well as links to other weight gain smoothies!
    Loving this – Did I say THANK YOU?!!

  9. 5 stars
    This is a lot of sugar, so I swapped the banana for frozen cauliflower,and did water instead of the pineapple juice. Still so good! Very tropical

  10. 5 stars
    I had everything to make this and went for it. Since I’m not looking to gain weight, I left out the extras and did your recommendation with light coconut milk. It was delicious!!!