Protein shakes for weight gain
Since Jul 6Updated Oct 27, 2026Based on 43 AI responses
Reviewed by Dimitry Apollonsky
AI summary
Optimum Nutrition has a clear lead for protein shakes formulated to support weight gain.
It depends
Dymatize is the runner-up.
Brands AI mentions
Also mentioned rarely: Boost, Fairlife Core Power, Mutant, Nutricost, Orgain, GNC, MuscleTech, Koia, BSN, Iron Vegan, Premier Protein, BulkSupplements, Kirkland Signature, Fairlife, G6 Sports, Garden of Life, Huel, Huel Ready to Drink, Live Momentous, Mayo Clinic, MuscleMeds, Muscle Milk, MusclePharm, Vega, Naturade, NSF Certified for Sport, Nutella, Performance Inspired, Serious Mass, Informed Sport
| Mentioned in | ChatGPTChatGPT | Google AI ModeGoogle AI Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Optimum Nutrition | 73% | 95% |
| Dymatize | 73% | 67% |
| NAKED Nutrition | 36% | 43% |
| Transparent Labs | 14% | 43% |
| Ensure | 14% | 14% |
Questions and answers
Google AI ModeOct 27, 2026
When you are trying to gain weight, your primary goal is achieving a caloric surplus (consuming more calories than you burn), alongside getting enough protein to build muscle rather than just storing fat.
Protein powders and mass gainers fall into a few different categories depending on how many calories you need and how sensitive your stomach is.
Top Mass Gainers & High-Calorie Powders
- Transparent Labs Mass Gainer — Widely considered one of the best overall options because it uses clean, whole-food-derived carbohydrates (like tapioca and oat) and grass-fed whey concentrate, avoiding heavy artificial sweeteners and cheap fillers.
- Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass — A classic, heavy-duty option for extreme hardgainers. It delivers over 1,250 calories and 50g of protein per serving when mixed with water, plus added creatine and glutamine.
- Dymatize Super Mass Gainer — Packed with a multi-stage protein blend (whey and casein) for fast and slow amino acid release, plus digestive enzymes to help prevent the bloating that usually comes with huge shakes.
- Orgain Organic Plant-Based Protein — If you are dairy-free or vegan, a standard plant protein like Orgain isn't a "mass gainer" on its own, but it provides a smooth, easily digestible base that you can easily turn into a high-calorie shake.
How to Build Your Own DIY Weight-Gain Shake
Store-bought mass gainers can sometimes be high in sugar or heavy on the stomach. Many dietitians and nutritionists recommend taking a standard, high-quality whey or plant protein powder and blending it with calorie-dense whole foods.
A powerful, nutrient-dense recipe:
- 1 scoop of your favorite protein powder (20g - 30g protein)
- 1 to 2 cups of whole milk or fortified soy milk (150 - 300 calories)
- 2 tablespoons of peanut butter or almond butter (~ 190 calories)
- 1/2 cup of rolled oats (~ 150 calories)
- 1 large banana (~ 105 calories)
- Total: Easily over 700 – 900 calories with clean macronutrients and healthy fats.
To help narrow down the best choice, tell me:
- Do you have any dietary restrictions (like lactose intolerance or a preference for plant-based)?
- Are you looking for a pre-made bottled shake or a powder to blend at home?
ChatGPTOct 27, 2026
If you're trying to gain weight, the best protein shakes are ones that give you plenty of calories, protein, and carbohydrates — not just protein alone. They're especially helpful if you get full quickly or struggle to eat enough throughout the day.
You have two great options: buy a ready-made weight-gain shake or make your own at home. Homemade shakes are often cheaper, and you can adjust the calories to your needs.
1. Best protein shakes for weight gain
1. Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass
(Best for high calories)
About 1,250 calories and 50 g protein per full serving, depending on preparation.
Good if you have a hard time eating enough food. It's a large serving, so you can start with a smaller portion.
2. Dymatize Super Mass Gainer
About 1,280 calories and 52 g protein per full serving.
Another calorie-dense option for people who lift weights and want to increase muscle mass. A full serving may be too filling for some people.
3. Ensure Plus
Approximately 350 calories per bottle.
Convenient if you want extra calories without mixing powder. It's designed as a nutritional supplement to help people gain or maintain weight.
4. Transparent Labs Mass Gainer
About 780 calories and 53 g protein per serving.
A good option if you want substantial calories and protein for muscle-building, with a blend that includes whey protein and carbohydrate sources.
2. Three homemade shakes for healthy weight gain
These are my favorite options because you can make them with everyday ingredients.
Banana peanut butter shake
(About 600–700 calories)
- 1 banana
- 2 tbsp peanut butter
- 1 cup whole milk
- ½ cup Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup oats
Blend until smooth. Great for breakfast or between meals.
Chocolate protein shake
(About 450–600 calories)
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 scoop chocolate protein powder
- 1 banana
- 2 tbsp peanut butter
Blend with ice for a chocolate milkshake-style drink.
Strawberry yogurt shake
(About 400–550 calories)
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 cup strawberries
- ¼ cup oats
- 1 tbsp honey
A fruity option if you don't enjoy chocolate or peanut butter.
Calories are estimates and vary with brands, portion sizes, and ingredients.
3. How to use protein shakes to gain weight
- Start with one shake a day, ideally between meals rather than just before eating.
- Aim to eat around 300–500 extra calories per day above what you normally need, then adjust based on your progress.
- If you want to build muscle, combine sufficient food and protein with strength training.
- You don't need a mass-gainer powder if a homemade shake meets your calorie needs.
Let me help you pick the best one
I can narrow this down based on your goals.
1. What kind of weight gain are you looking for?
Build muscle and get stronger
Gain weight overall
Both — gain weight and look fuller
2. Which shakes do you prefer?
Homemade shakes
Protein powder I mix with milk or water
Ready-to-drink shakes
Any of these
3. How is your appetite?
I get full quickly or struggle to eat enough
I eat normally but don't gain much weight
I eat a lot but still struggle to gain weight
4. Any dietary preferences?
Dairy is fine
Lactose-free
Vegan / dairy-free
[Find my best shake]
ChatGPTOct 16, 2026
If your goal is to gain weight, the best protein shakes are the ones that provide both protein and enough calories to help you consistently eat more than your body burns. If you're hoping to build muscle, combining those shakes with strength training is especially helpful.
I looked at current nutrition recommendations and 2026 product comparisons. My biggest recommendation is to start with a calorie-rich homemade shake or a moderate-calorie protein drink before jumping to an expensive, high-calorie mass gainer.
Best protein shake options for weight gain
1. Homemade high-calorie protein shake
(Best overall)
Approx. 500–700 calories · 25–40 g protein
Blend whole milk, a banana, peanut butter, Greek yogurt, and oats. This gives you protein, carbohydrates, fats, and other nutrients without requiring a mass-gainer supplement.
Best for: affordable, gradual weight gain.
Nutrition varies with portions.
2. Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass
Up to 1,260 calories · 50 g protein per full serving
A high-calorie mass gainer designed for people who struggle to eat enough to gain weight. It also provides substantial carbohydrates and added vitamins and minerals.
Best for: people who need a large calorie boost, particularly during a muscle-building phase.
Watch out: a full serving is very large. Start with a smaller portion if needed.
View product and nutrition facts ·
3. Dymatize Super Mass Gainer
Approx. 1,280 calories · 52 g protein per serving
Another concentrated weight-gain powder with a high amount of protein and carbohydrates.
Best for: serious gym-goers who need substantial extra calories.
Watch out: the full serving can be more than you need at once, and it contains artificial sweeteners in some formulations.
4. Fairlife Core Power Protein Shake
Common versions: 170–230 calories · 26–42 g protein
A ready-to-drink dairy-based protein shake that's convenient when you don't have time to blend anything.
Best for: busy schedules and getting extra protein between meals.
Tip: because it's not as calorie-dense as a mass gainer, pair it with a banana, trail mix, or a peanut butter sandwich if weight gain is the goal.
5. Naked Mass Vegan
Approx. 1,230 calories · 50 g protein per full serving
A plant-based weight-gain powder made with pea and brown rice protein.
Best for: people who avoid dairy or prefer vegan supplements.
Watch out: a full serving has a lot of carbohydrates and calories, so adjust the amount to your needs.
An easy homemade shake to start with
Peanut butter, banana and oat shake
Ingredients
of checked
Estimated total
590–620 cal
Blend until smooth. Add ice or a little more milk to adjust the consistency.
How to gain weight effectively
- Start with a modest calorie surplus. Around 300–500 extra calories per day is a common starting point for adults seeking gradual weight gain, then adjust based on progress.
- Use shakes to supplement meals, rather than replacing most of your regular food.
- Include strength training if your goal is to build muscle rather than simply increase body weight.
- Choose a shake you'll tolerate and enjoy. Very large servings can cause bloating or make it harder to eat regular meals.
If you've been losing weight unexpectedly or have a persistently poor appetite, check with a healthcare professional before relying on supplements.
Which option is best for you?
I can narrow this down to the best fit for your budget and goals.
1. What's your main goal?
Build muscle and get bigger
Gain weight overall
Gain weight because I struggle to eat enough
2. What kind of shake do you prefer?
Ready-to-drink bottles
Protein powder to mix
Homemade smoothies
Whatever works best
3. What's your budget?
Budget-friendly
Moderate — good value
Flexible — prioritize results and quality
4. Any dietary preferences?
No restrictions
Lactose-free or dairy-free
Vegan
[Find my best options]
Sources cited in this answer9
- healthline.com12 Protein Shakes for Healthy Weight Gain: Recipes and Nutrition Facts
- healthline.com6 Best Protein Powders for Weight Gain for 2026
- health.clevelandclinic.orgHow To Gain Weight Safely
- optimumnutrition.comSerious Mass | Optimum Nutrition
- thebentoboxdietitian.comBest Muscle Mass Shakes for Gaining Size and Strength – Bento Box Dietitian
- dymatize.comDymatize | Nutritional and Fitness Supplements
- fairlife.comfairlife Ultra-Filtered Milk and Protein Shakes | Lactose-Free Milk
- foodnetwork.com7 Best Protein Shakes of 2026, According to a Dietitian | Food Network
- nakednutrition.comNaked Nutrition - Nutrition With Nothing To Hide
Google AI ModeOct 16, 2026
To gain weight (specifically lean muscle mass), you need a caloric surplus combined with adequate protein . While standard protein powders only give you protein and roughly 100 to 130 calories per scoop, mass gainers bundle protein with heavy doses of complex carbohydrates and healthy fats to pack 500 to over 1,250 calories into a single shake.
The best options on the market depend on your specific goals and dietary preferences:
Top High-Calorie Mass Gainers
- Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass : A classic industry benchmark for hard gainers . It delivers around 1,250 calories, 50g of protein, and over 250g of carbohydrates per serving, plus added creatine and glutamine to support workout recovery. You can check availability on the GNC Protein Powder Hub.
- Dymatize Super Mass Gainer : Known for massive caloric density, offering roughly 1,280 to 1,310 calories and around 52g of protein using a multi-source blend of fast- and slow-release milk/whey proteins. It also features BCAAs to minimize training fatigue.
- Naked Mass : Ideal for anyone wanting a cleaner ingredient profile without artificial sweeteners, colors, or flavors. It relies on just three clean ingredients (organic tapioca maltodextrin, grass-fed whey concentrate, and micellar casein) to deliver 1,250 calories and 50g of protein per serving.
Best Moderate / Lean Mass Gainer
- Rival Nutrition Clean Gainer : If you want to avoid feeling overly sluggish or bloated from massive sugar and carb loads, this "lean" gainer delivers about 560 calories and 30g of multi-source protein paired with a clean complex carb blend (including oat fiber, quinoa, and MCT oils).
Best Plant-Based / Vegan Option
- Iron Vegan Athlete's Gainer : Sourced from organic sprouted brown rice and fermented pea protein, this option provides 720 clean calories and 42g of plant-based protein per serving without a chalky texture, making it great for dairy-sensitive hard gainers.
Pro-Tip: DIY Weight-Gain Shake
Commercial mass gainers are convenient, but you can also build your own high-calorie, highly nutritious shake using standard Whey Protein Isolate combined with whole foods in a blender:
1-2 scoops of chocolate or vanilla protein powder (~200 calories) 2 cups of whole milk or fortified soy milk (~300 calories) 2 tablespoons of peanut butter or almond butter (~190 calories) 1 large banana (~105 calories) 1/2 cup of rolled oats (~150 calories)
Total: ~945 945𝟗𝟒𝟓calories of clean, micronutrient-dense whole food nutrition.To help narrow down the best choice, tell me:
- Do you have any dietary restrictions (lactose intolerant, vegan, etc.)?
- Are you looking for maximum calories per shake, or a leaner option to minimize fat gain?
Sources cited in this answer2
Also asked as
- I need to put on some mass. Which protein shakes are best for weight gain?
