The Best High-Calorie Drinks to Help You Maintain or Gain Weight
Key takeaways:
Some people may need to supplement their diet with high-calorie drinks to meet their calorie needs.
People who may need high-calorie drinks include athletes, older adults, people who have a suppressed appetite, or those with certain health conditions.
High-calorie drinks come in different flavors and textures. They’re designed to meet different dietary and health needs.
Table of contents
You need calories to supply energy to your body. But sometimes you may not be able to get enough calories from your diet to support your energy needs. One way to get more calories is through nutritious high-calorie drinks.
Read on to learn about the different types of high-calorie drinks, and see whether high-calorie drinks may be a fit for your needs.
What are the benefits of high-calorie drinks?
High-calorie drinks are also sometimes called “meal replacement drinks” or “nutritional drinks.” They can be helpful if you’re having trouble getting enough calories for any reason.
High-calorie drinks can be a good way to add needed calories, because they:
Usually contain a healthful mix of carbohydrates, protein, and fat — and sometimes fiber
Are fortified with important vitamins and minerals
May be easier to consume than solid food if you don’t have an appetite
Are easy to grab and go
What should you look for in high-calorie drinks?
When choosing a high-calorie drink, look for products that contain all three macronutrients: carbohydrates, protein, and fat.
Which high-calorie snacks can help with weight gain? Smoothies, trail mix, and avocado are just a few nutritious foods that are also higher in calories.
Foods to eat when you have no appetite: It can be challenging to get enough nourishment when you don’t feel like eating. Here are ideas for foods to try.
Can stress cause lack of appetite? Yes. If you don’t have an appetite because of stress or anxiety, setting regular mealtimes and choosing easy-to-digest foods may help.
Nutritional content
Most high-calorie drinks have:
200-500 calories: To gain weight, most people need to consume an extra 500 to 1,000 calories a day. But every person has different nutrition needs and goals. It’s best to work with a healthcare professional to figure out a plan that’s right for you.
Carbohydrates: Usually the carbohydrates in high-calorie drinks are made up of simple sugars like glucose syrup, brown rice syrup, and/or corn syrup. Most high-calorie drinks have about 30 g to 50 g of carbohydrates per serving. If you need a low-carbohydrate option, look for a drink with 15 g or less of carbohydrates per serving.
Sugar: Some high-calorie drinks contain as little as 1 g of sugar, while others have over 20 g per serving. Some brands use slower-digesting carbohydrates or sugar substitutes to help prevent spikes in blood sugar. These are a good choice for people with diabetes or prediabetes.
Protein: If your goal is to increase your protein intake, look for drinks with 20 g to 30 g of protein per serving. You can find drinks made with milk-based protein or plant-based protein.
Fat: Most high-calorie drinks contain unsaturated fats, such as canola, corn, or sunflower oil. These fats help you absorb nutrients, and are an important part of a nutritious diet. If you have a condition that makes it difficult to digest fat, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or gallbladder disease, look for drinks with 6 g or less of total fat per serving.
Fiber: Fiber is good for digestion and overall health. It helps keep your gut healthy, stabilizes blood sugar, and improves cholesterol. Most people don’t get enough fiber in their diet. If you’re trying to get more fiber, look for drinks that contain at least 3 g of fiber per serving.
Taste
If you’re going to be drinking a high-calorie drink every day, you want it to taste good! High-calorie drinks typically come in vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry flavors. They vary in thickness and texture. It may take some trial and error to find one you like.
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Cost and availability
High-calorie drinks usually cost $2 to $4 per bottle. Some brands (like Boost) are SNAP/EBT eligible or may be covered by insurance, depending on the health concern. Most high-calorie drinks are available in major grocery stores, retail pharmacies, and online.
Which high-calorie drinks pack the most calories?
If you’re having trouble meeting your calorie needs, the following drinks are particularly high in calories:
A milk-based option
An 8 oz Boost Very high-calorie Nutritional Drink contains:
530 calories
52 g of carbohydrate (13 g sugar)
26 g of fat
0 g of fiber
22 g of protein
26 vitamins and minerals
A pea protein-based option
An 11 oz Kate’s Farm Standard 1.4 contains:
455 calories
51 g of carbohydrates (16 g sugar)
19 g of fat
5 g of fiber
20 g of protein
25 vitamins and minerals
A soy-based option
A 14 oz Soylent ready-to-drink meal contains:
400 calories
36 g of carbohydrate (1 g sugar)
24 g of fat
3 g of fiber
20 g of protein
28 vitamins and minerals
Note that soy is considered a complete protein. That means it contains all nine essential amino acids that your body can’t make on its own and needs to get from food. Most other plant proteins are incomplete proteins. They contain some of the essential amino acids but not all.
High-calorie drinks with other health benefits
Some high-calorie drinks offer other benefits. For example, some are low in carbohydrates and added sugar but higher in fiber. This can make them a good choice for people who need to manage their blood sugar levels. Other drinks are very high in protein, which can be good for someone trying to increase their muscle mass.
Low-carbohydrate, low-sugar options with fiber
An 8 oz BOOST Glucose Control contains:
190 calories
16 g of carbohydrate (4 g of added sugar)
7 g of fat
3 g of fiber
16 g of protein
25 vitamins and minerals
An 8 oz Glucerna Original contains:
180 calories
16 g of carbohydrate (4 g of added sugar)
9 g of fat
4 g of fiber
10 g of protein
27 vitamin and minerals
A high-protein option
An 8 oz Ensure Complete Nutrition Shake contains:
350 calories
42 g of carbohydrate (15 g sugar)
8 g of fat
4 g of fiber
30 g of protein
27 vitamins and minerals
Why do some people need high-calorie drinks?
There are many reasons a person might want or need to use high-calorie drinks. Usually, it’s because they’re not able to get enough calories from their regular diet.
Some reasons people may need high-calorie drinks include:
High level of activity: Endurance athletes or people who work out frequently and/or intensively may require extra calories to replenish what they burn during exercise.
Age: Older adults are more likely to unintentionally lose weight.
Schedule: Sometimes busy or high-stress lives can leave little time for eating or proper nutrition. High-calorie drinks can help keep your body fueled as you go through your day.
Genetics: People who have a fast metabolism tend to burn more calories.
There are also certain medical conditions that may cause you to eat less or be underweight, including:
Digestive disorders like Crohn’s disease and IBS, which can cause poor nutrient absorption and/or pain when eating
A reaction to a medication
Depression and anxiety, which can cause a lack of appetite or nausea, making it hard to eat
Cancer or cancer treatments
Illnesses like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes, or chronic kidney disease (CKD) may require dietary restrictions, making it a challenge to meet nutrition needs.
How many high-calorie drinks can you drink each day?
The number of high-calorie drinks you should have in a day depends on your calorie and nutritional needs. It’s not recommended to get all your nutrients from drinks, unless you have a medical condition that requires it. High-calorie drinks are meant to supplement your eating plan, not completely replace eating solid foods. Talk with your care team or a registered dietitian who can help you figure out how many calories you need each day to meet your nutrition goals.
Some people may also experience side effects from drinking a lot of high-calorie drinks, including:
Constipation
Nausea
Gas and bloating
Choosing brands that contain fiber and drinking them as part of a balanced diet may help improve these symptoms.
What are other ways to add more calories to your diet?
High-calorie drinks aren’t the only way to bump up your calorie intake. There are other ways to add more calories into your diet. The strategy that works best for you may depend on why you’re not getting enough calories in the first place.
Here are some ways to get more calories:
Eat small, frequent meals. Try to eat a “minimeal” every couple of hours instead of two or three large meals. This may be helpful if you have nausea or feel too full to eat.
Fill up on healthy fats. Nuts (like almonds, walnuts, cashews), seeds (like sunflower seeds), and nut butters (like peanut or almond butter) are high in calories from unsaturated fats. Snack on them throughout the day, and add nut butters to smoothies.
Cook with oil and butter. Using butter and oil can add calories, flavor, and richness to any dish.
Enjoy full-fat dairy products. Full-fat yogurt and milk are calorie-dense and provide important nutrients. Top yogurt with honey, nuts, and fresh or dried fruit.
Frequently asked questions
Buying a high-calorie powder may be more cost effective than buying ready-made drinks. You can add these powders to plain water, your morning coffee, or a smoothie. Many brands that make high-calorie drinks also sell powders that you can buy as an alternative.
Juice provides calories as well as vitamins and minerals. But it’s also high in sugar. One hundred percent juice (without added sugar) is a better choice than “juice drinks” that contain added sugar. But even 100% juice is high in sugar thanks to its natural sugars.
As an alternative to juice, try:
A homemade smoothie: Add full-fat Greek yogurt and/or nut butters, both of which will add calories.
Whole milk or chocolate milk: With its mix of protein and carbohydrates, and ability to replace essential electrolytes, milk can also make a great postworkout drink. If you choose chocolate milk, just try to avoid store-bought kinds, which are usually high in sugar.
The bottom line
High-calorie drinks are a convenient way to add calories and nutrients to your diet. There are many different brands and product lines, so choose the one that best meets your health needs and taste preferences. If you have a medical condition or are on any medications, talk with a healthcare professional before adding high-calorie drinks to your diet.
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References
Boost. (n.d.). Boost Very High Calorie nutritional drink.
Boost. (n.d.). Boost Glucose Control nutritional drink.
Domecq, J. P., et al. (2015). Drugs commonly associated with weight change: A systematic review and meta-analysis. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
Ensure. (n.d.). Ensure complete milk chocolate meal replacement nutrition shake.
Ensure. (n.d.). Glucerna original shake.
Kate Farms Medical. (n.d.). Standard 1.4 vanilla.
Michelfelder, A. J. (2009). Soy: A complete source of protein. American Family Physician.
Shirreffs, S. M., et al. (2007). Milk as an effective post-exercise rehydration drink. British Journal of Nutrition.
Soylent. (n.d.). Soylent complete meal creamy chocolate.
Ríos-Prego, M., et al. (2019). Relationship between thyroid dysfunction and body weight: A not so evident paradigm. International Journal of General Medicine.
