ILD Nutrition Manual: High-Calorie Shakes and Smoothies
Smoothies and shakes can be a simple way to get extra calories and nutrients into your diet, and these homemade supplements can be made with a variety of ingredients. Here are some food safety guidelines and general recommendations to get you started, followed by recipes.
Safety Guidelines
- Do not use raw eggs. You can use a pasteurized egg product like Eggbeaters instead.
- Thoroughly wash all fruits and vegetables before blending them.
- Use a clean cutting board.
- Leftovers that are stored in the refrigerator should be finished within the same day.
Adding Extra Calories and Protein
- Uncooked oats are an excellent source of protein in smoothies. Grind 1/2 to 1 cup dry oats in the blender and then add the other ingredients.
- Tofu adds both protein and calories without changing the taste. Silken tofu works best.
- Pre-cooked and cooled grains such as rice, oatmeal and barley can be added for additional calories and protein.
- Peanut butter and other nut butters, such as almond or cashew, are great ways to add protein, calories and different flavors.
- Protein powder or milk powder can be added to boost protein.
- Ice cream can be a tasty way to add calories if your cholesterol isn't too high.
- Yogurt, especially whole milk yogurt, can also add calories and protein.
Lactose Intolerance
If you don't tolerate milk, dairy foods in any of the recipes can be replaced with the following:
- Soymilk
- Tofu
- Lactaid milk
- Non-dairy creamers
- Soy yogurt
- Almond milk
- Ensure
Recipes
Before getting started:
1. Wash all fruits and vegetables you'll be using.
2. Prepare ingredients and place in blender.
3. Blend ingredients together to desired consistency, adding additional liquid if needed.
Frozen fruit can be used for a thicker smoothie or shake.
Banana Flip
- 2 bananas
- 1 package Carnation Instant Breakfast, vanilla flavor
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons orange juice concentrate
Banana Oat Shake
- 1/2 cup cooked oatmeal, chilled
- 1 frozen banana
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 tablespoon wheat germ
- 1 tablespoon honey, pasteurized
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Blueberry Shake
- 3 to 4 ounces of tofu
- 1 banana
- 1/2 cup frozen blueberries
- 1 cup milk
Bursting Berry Smoothie
- 1/2 cup uncooked oats
- 1 banana
- 8 strawberries, fresh or frozen
- 1/2 cup frozen blueberries
- 1/2 cup frozen raspberries
- 1 cup milk
Carrot Shake
- 1 cup carrot juice
- 3/4 cup plain yogurt
- 1 banana
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 ice cubes
High Protein Milkshake
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 cup ice cream
- 1/2 cup Eggbeaters
- 1/2 cup non-fat dry milk powder
- Flavoring such as chocolate syrup
Lemon Lift
- 1 cup lemon yogurt
- 1 cup milk
- 1 banana
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Orange Whip
- 1 cup orange juice
- 1/2 cup pineapple juice
- 1/2 cup low-fat cottage cheese
- 1/2 cup milk
PB&B Shake
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt
- 1 banana
- 2 tablespoons peanut butter
- 1/2 cup milk
Peachy Cinnamon Shake
- 1 cup canned peaches
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 tablespoon honey
- Pinch of cinnamon
- 3 ice cubes
Raspberry Rice Shake
- 1/2 cup cooked, cooled rice
- 1 banana
- 1 cup frozen raspberries
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 tablespoon pasteurized honey
Sherbet Shake
- 1 cup any flavor sherbet
- 1/2 cup milk
Strawberry Flip
- 1/2 cup frozen strawberries, thawed
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt
- 2 tablespoons wheat germ
Strawberry Orange Shake
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 3 to 4 ounces tofu
- 1 tablespoon pasteurized honey
- 1 1/2 cups strawberries, fresh or frozen
Strawberry Soy Shake
- 1 cup vanilla soy milk
- 1 cup strawberry soy yogurt
- 4 ounces silken tofu
- 2 cups strawberries, fresh or frozen
- 2 tablespoons honey or sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Sunrise Breakfast Drink
- 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1 frozen banana
Tropical Banana Shake
- 2 ripe bananas
- 1/2 cup canned peaches
- 1 cup mango or guava nectar
- 1/2 cup pasteurized milk
- 3 ice cubes
Tutti-Fruity Shake
- 1/2 cup vanilla ice cream
- 1 package Instant Breakfast, vanilla flavor
- 1/2 cup canned fruit
- 1/2 cup half and half cream
Next:
ILD Nutrition Manual Index:
- ILD Nutrition Manual: General Guidelines for Eating Healthy
- ILD Nutrition Manual: Body Mass Index
- ILD Nutrition Manual: Increasing Protein in Your Diet
- ILD Nutrition Manual: Tips for Gaining Weight
- ILD Nutrition Manual: High-Calorie, High-Protein Sample Menu
- ILD Nutrition Manual: High-Calorie Shakes and Smoothies
- ILD Nutrition Manual: Tips for Losing Weight
- ILD Nutrition Manual: Plate Method for Healthy Meal Planning
- ILD Nutrition Manual: Prednisone and Weight Gain
UCSF Health medical specialists have reviewed this information. It is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor or other health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any questions or concerns you may have with your provider.