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Five 1000-Calorie Smoothies for Weight Gain (Tested Recipes)

Last updated on October 26, 2023


Quick Overview

Our five 1000-calorie smoothies are rich in proteins, can help you gain weight and muscle mass, and save you time.

In the recipes, we included some of the most frequently used ingredients in 1K smoothies, like oats, milk, or protein powder.

As proof of these smoothies' usefulness, research shows smoothies with 1000 calories are some of the most popular among high-calorie smoothies.

After all, one such smoothie can replace 1-2 average meals.

Let's find the best 1000-calorie smoothies for you and how you can add them to your diet!

1000-calorie smoothies for weight gain - featured.

If you feel smoothies with just a few hundred calories are insufficient for your caloric needs, it's time to step up your smoothie game by adding 1000-calorie smoothies to your diet.

Many people who want to buff up make this transition.

Personally, these "grand" smoothies are one of my main options on days when I don't have time to eat enough calories.

As further evidence, smoothies at the 1000-calorie mark are the most popular type of high-calorie smoothies among people looking to gain weight.

According to our research on worldwide Google data, 1000-calorie smoothies are almost twice (180%) as popular as 2000-calorie smoothies, and nearly eight times (762%) more desired than 500-calorie smoothies.

Chart comparing the popularity of high-calorie smoothies with different number of calories: 500, 1000, and 2000.
Chart comparing the popularity of 1000-calorie smoothies to the 500-calorie and 2000-calorie ones among people looking to gain weight with high-calorie smoothies.

Yet, to make 1000-calorie smoothies optimized for gaining weight and/or building muscle, blend ingredients that will provide an adequate ratio of macronutrients (proteins, carbs, and fats).

To get that task off your back, we summoned our extensive experience in making high-calorie smoothies and dusted our guide for creating weight gain smoothies.

The result?

We came up with five 1000-calorie smoothie recipes. Let's explore each of them.

1. 1000-Calorie Avocado Banana Smoothie

1003 calories

1000-calorie Avocado Banana Smoothie for weight gain.

The 1000-Calorie Avocado Banana Smoothie has so many calories because it has avocados and bananas, two of the fresh fruits with the most calories, at its core.

In terms of macronutrients, this smoothie will load you with plenty of muscle-building proteins, energizing carbohydrates, and healthy fats, many of the latter coming from avocado and cashews.

If you're a vegan, you can make this smoothie dairy-free by replacing whey protein powder with a plant-based protein powder, like the ones made from rice or peas.

Claudiu Pop from Unfold Today tasting the 1000-Calorie Avocado Banana Smoothie.

The smoothie has a banana taste that's tempered by avocado's more neutral flavor. You'll also feel some notes of coconut.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 medium (6.4 oz or 180 g) bananas
  • 1/3 (7 oz or 200 g) avocado
  • 1.3 oz (37 g) cashews
  • 1/3 scoops (1.41 oz or 40 g) whey protein powder
  • 18 fl oz (532 ml) coconut milk

Nutrition facts

Volume34 fl oz (990 ml)
Calories1003
Proteins44 g
Carbohydrates89 g
Fats59 g
1000-Calorie Avocado Banana Smoothie for Weight Gain
Having an impressive 1000 calories and over 40 g of proteins, this avocado banana smoothie is of tremendous help when it comes to gaining weight because it highlights the nutritional qualities of two of the fruits with the most calories: bananas and avocados.
Check out this recipe
1000-calorie Avocado Banana Smoothie for weight gain.

2. 1000-Calorie Chocolate Sunflower Seed Butter Smoothie

1033 calories

1000-calorie Chocolate Sunflower Seed Butter Smoothie for weight gain.

The nutrient-dense 1000-Calorie Chocolate Sunflower Seed Butter Smoothie is the smoothie with the most proteins on this list of "grand" smoothies tailored for weight gain. Most of the smoothie's protein content comes from rice protein powder, but the sunflower seed butter and the oats also contribute.

Besides, this vegan smoothie is low in fats and filled with energizing carbohydrates.

In terms of taste, banana and honey's sweetness merges with the bitter notes of cocoa and sunflower seed butter's earthy aroma.

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp (1.1 oz or 32 g) sunflower seed butter
  • 1 cup (3.5 oz or 100 g) oats
  • 1 large (4.8 oz or 136 g) banana
  • 2 ½ tsp (0.2 oz or 6 g) raw cocoa powder
  • 1 tbsp (0.8 oz or 21 g) honey
  • 1 ½ scoop (1.6 oz or 45 g) rice protein powder
  • 2 cup (15.9 fl oz or 470 ml) rice milk

Nutrition facts

Volume27.4 fl oz (810 ml)
Calories1033
Proteins64 g
Carbohydrates171 g
Fats31 g
1000-Calorie Chocolate Sunflower Seed Butter Smoothie
If you're looking for a smoothie with over 1000 calories that is both dairy-free and nut-free, the Chocolate Sunflower Seed Butter Smoothie is a tasty choice that will help you gain weight.
Check out this recipe
1000-calorie Chocolate Sunflower Seed Butter Smoothie for weight gain.

3. 1000-Calorie Tropical Smoothie

1000 calories

1000-calorie Tropical Smoothie for weight gain - featured.

Arguably the most delicious smoothie in our recipe round-up is this 1000-Calorie Tropical Smoothie. The best thing besides its flavor is its macronutrient profile.

This bulking smoothie has a tad bit over 40 g of protein, plenty of carbohydrates, and some healthy fats as well.

Claudiu Pop from Unfold Today tasting the 1000-calorie Tropical Smoothie.

Regarding the smoothie's flavor, you will feel mango, pineapple, and banana aromas. Hey, it's called tropical for a reason.

Ingredients

  • 13 medium (5.5 oz or 153 g) bananas
  • 2/3 cup (3.5 oz or 98 g) avocado cubes
  • 1.8 oz (52 g) dried mango
  • 0.52 oz (13 g) shredded desiccated coconut meat
  • 0.7 oz (18 g) cashews
  • 13 scoops (1.4 oz or 42 g) whey protein powder
  • 13.1 fl oz (390 ml) pineapple juice
  • 8.8 fl oz (260 ml) water

Nutrition facts

Volume34.7 fl oz (1 l)
Calories1000
Proteins43 g
Carbohydrates147 g
Fats34 g
1000-Calorie Tropical Smoothie for Weight Gain
This recipe shows you how to make a tropical smoothie with 1000 calories. The smoothie, which is designed to help you gain weight, has a combo of exotic flavors, including mango, pineapple, banana, and more.
Check out this recipe
1000-calorie Tropical Smoothie for weight gain - featured.

4. High-Calorie Banana Smoothie

989 calories

High-calorie banana smoothie for weight gain - featured.

If you love bananas, you will enjoy our High-Calorie Banana Smoothie, also known as the Gorilla Smoothie.

Although it has 989 calories, we can still consider it a 1000-calorie smoothie since it's only 11 calories away from the mark.

In terms of macronutrients, the smoothie is loaded with proteins and carbs while being low in fats.

Did we mention it's made without protein powder?

Flavor-wise, the smoothie has a strong banana flavor that's calmed down by subtle notes of oats and cashews.

Ingredients

  • 4 medium (472 g) bananas
  • 6 oz (300 g) 2% fat Greek yogurt
  • 1 oz (28 g) cashews
  • 1.8 oz (50 g) oats
  • 10.2 fl oz (300 ml) water

Nutrition facts

Volume40.6 fl oz (1.15 l)
Calories989
Proteins42 g
Carbohydrates163 g
Fats25 g
High-Calorie Banana Smoothie for Weight Gain
This is a recipe for a high-calorie banana smoothie designed to help with weight gain. The smoothie has an interesting texture and a strong banana flavor, which is calmed down by a slight note of cashews.
Check out this recipe
High-calorie banana smoothie for weight gain - featured.

5. High-Calorie Fruity Green Smoothie

1032 calories

High-Calorie Fruity Green Smoothie for weight gain.

This vegan High-Calorie Fruity Green Smoothie delivers 1032 calories and 29 g of protein despite the fact it's made without protein powder.

Moreover, this smoothie is loaded with healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals coming from the plethora of fruits, vegetables, seeds, and nuts found in its composition.

In terms of taste, the smoothie has a crisp flavor with subtle coconut nuances accompanied by earthy notes coming from seeds and high-calorie nuts and nut butters.

From Unfold community

If you are like one of our YouTube followers who "can't handle the texture" of bananas, replace bananas with 1 additional mango or about 300 g (10.6 oz) of pineapple.

Also, you can make the smoothie without bananas. You'll lose 210 calories, but hey, you still end up with a smoothie of 822 calories.

Overall, this vegan smoothie has received positive feedback from our followers. Over 49 people liked this recipe on YouTube and TikTok.

Ingredients

  • 2 medium (8.3 oz or 236 g) bananas
  • 3.5 oz (100 g) spinach
  • 1/2 (5.93 oz or 168 g) mango
  • 1/2 (2.65 oz or 75 g) avocado
  • 1 tbsp (0.35 oz or 10 g) flax seeds
  • 2 tbsp (0.6 oz or 17 g) almonds
  • 1 tbsp (0.6 oz or 16 g) peanut butter
  • 2 tbsp (0.42 oz or 12 g) shredded coconut
  • 4 tbsp (0.6 oz or 16 g) pumpkin seeds
  • 1 tbsp (0.4 oz or 12 g) chia seeds
  • 1 tbsp (0.7 oz or 21 g) honey
  • 1/2 tsp (0.05 oz or 2 g) cinnamon
  • 1 cup (8.5 fl oz or 250 ml) almond milk
  • 6.76 fl oz (200 ml) water

Nutrition facts

Volume38.4 fl oz (1.14 ml)
Calories1032
Proteins29 g
Carbohydrates136 g
Fats52 g
High-Calorie Fruity Green Smoothie for Weight Gain
The High-Calorie Fruity Green Smoothie helps you gain weight while combining the health benefits of a green smoothie with the deliciousness of a fruity smoothie.
Check out this recipe
High-Calorie Fruity Green Smoothie for weight gain.

When to drink 1000-calorie smoothies

You can drink smoothies with 1000 calories most times of the day, but you should schedule them at least 3 hours before bedtime and not too close to the start of your workouts.

Not before bedtime

A Brazilian study exploring the food-sleep relationship suggests that "intake of high fat and carbohydrate foods" in the 3 hours preceding your bedtime makes it harder for you to fall asleep.[1]

Source info

Title: Relationship between food intake and sleep pattern in healthy individuals

Type: journal article

Published in: Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine

Made at: Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo

The smoothies on this list are not high in fats but they have plenty of carbohydrates, so you should avoid scheduling your 1000-calorie smoothie of choice 3 hours before hitting the sheets.

Another reason why you should avoid 1K smoothies before sleeping is a better sleep.

American researchers studied the connection between bedtime eating or drinking and waking up at night. Their results show that eating or drinking further away from bedtime will make you wake up less often.[2]

Source info

Title: Associations between bedtime eating or drinking, sleep duration and wake after sleep onset: findings from the American time use survey

Type: journal article

Published in: The British Journal of Nutrition

Made at: University of Michigan and Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine

1000-calorie smoothies before workouts

If you want to use 1000-calorie smoothies as energy sources for your workouts without finding yourself bloated at the start of your training session, you should first do some simple math. This is what Marie Dunford, PhD, RD, and J. Andrew Doyle recommend in their book Nutrition for Sport and Exercise.

  • If you eat 1 hour before working out, eat 1 g of carbohydrates per kg of body weight;
  • 2 hours before working out: eat 2 g of carbohydrates per kg of body weight;
  • 3 hours before working out: eat 3 g of carbohydrates per kg of body weight;
  • 4 hours before working out: eat 4 g of carbohydrates per kg of body weight.[3]
Source info

Title: Nutrition for Sport and Exercise

Type: book

Book authors: Marie Dunford, PhD, RD, and J. Andrew Doyle

Now, don't get scared about the numbers above.

To find out how many hours before your workout you should drink your 1000-calorie smoothie, all you need to do is apply this formula:

Smoothie's total carbs ÷ Your bodyweight in kg

Just divide your smoothie's total carbohydrates by your bodyweight (in kilograms). If the result is closer to one, drink your smoothie 1 hour before your workout. If it's closer to two, drink it 2 hours before your workout. And so on.

How to store

We suggest drinking your 1000-calorie smoothies right after blending them to enjoy their best taste. Yet, in case 1000 calories are too many for you in one go, you can safely store the smoothie in the fridge for about 24 hours in something like a shaker bottle or a jar.

Benefits of drinking 1000-calorie smoothies

Here are the benefits you get from drinking the five 1000-calorie smoothies on our list:

  • Gain weight easier because all of them increase your caloric intake and keep your appetite satisfied only for a short time;
  • Increase your energy levels because all of the smoothies are rich in carbohydrates;
  • Build muscle more effectively because all of the smoothies' protein contents range between 29 g and 64 g;
  • Improve your immunity because each of the smoothies has at least four sources of antioxidants;
  • Strengthen bones because all of them contain sources of calcium, the richest smoothie offering a whopping 89% of the daily recommended intake;
  • Support your heart's health because each smoothie contains at least two sources of potassium;
  • Improve your digestion because all of the smoothies are made with at least 3 sources of fiber.

In addition to the health benefits above, drinking 1000-calorie smoothies will save you time because they are easier to make than an equivalent meal.

Consider this...

The typical lunch or dinner meal for a woman, according to a study on the energy of ordered meals, has 570 calories. For men, the average meal would have 712 calories.[4]

Source info

Title: Energy Contents of Frequently Ordered Restaurant Meals and Comparison with Human Energy Requirements and US Department of Agriculture Database Information: A Multisite Randomized Study

Type: journal article

Published in: Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

Therefore, a 1000-calorie smoothie can replace almost 2 average meals for women, giving them around 175% more calories than their average meal. Then, it's no surprise that smoothies and shakes are one of the most effective foods for females who want to gain weight.

When it comes to men, a 1K smoothie provides 140% more calories than their typical meal.

More calories in less time. Sounds like a good deal, doesn't it?

For the detailed benefits of each smoothie on our list, check their recipes.

What can you add to smoothies to increase calories

If you want to make 1000-calorie smoothies from scratch (without following a recipe), check our guide on how to make high-calorie smoothies.

Alternatively, here are some of the most popular ingredients people trying to gain weight recommend to add in 1000-calorie smoothies.

Chart ranking the most popular ingredients for 1000-calorie smoothies.
Chart ranking the most popular ingredients for 1000-calorie smoothies recommended by Reddit users interested in gaining weight.

Our research shows that the most used ingredients in 1000-calorie smoothies are oats, milk, and protein powder.

The most used source of fats is peanut butter.

For sweetening smoothies, the main options are bananas, ice cream, and honey.

When it comes to the flavor of the protein powder and the ice cream, the top two options were chocolate and vanilla.

Other high-calorie smoothies

For more smoothies that can help you gain weight, check our full list of high-calorie smoothie recipes. Not all of them have 1000 calories but you can simply increase the serving size to make them hit the mark.

Besides smoothies, you can switch things up with our great selections of high-calorie shakes and weight-gain drinks.

And if liquid meals are not enough to meet your caloric needs, add some high-calorie foods and snacks to your diet.

Take a moment to rate our recipes

If you tried any of the 1000-calorie smoothies, scroll down to the comment section and tell us your opinion. It will help us make more recipes that fit your taste!

External sources

Unfold Today has rigorous sourcing principles adhering to the top journalistic standards, so our writers always look for official, experienced, and first-hand sources. Read more about how we keep our content trustworthy and updated by reading our editorial process.

Written by
Claudiu Pop is a nutritionist, medical writer, journalist, and the founder of Unfold Today. He specialized in fitness and nutrition, especially in weight gain, by helping people increase their body mass since 2019 with over 20 articles published in the field.
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