Best Protein Powder For Weight Gain – No Fillers, No Preservatives

Trying to find the best protein powder for weight gain, made with high-quality ingredients, and with little to no fillers and preservatives is a challenge and a headache.

That’s why I took the time to create this blog post. This article aims to provide you with the best protein powders for weight gain on the market today; protein powders made with quality ingredients and with little to no fillers and/or artificial ingredients.

Whether you are on a regular animal-based diet, lactose-intolerant, vegan, or just prefer quality ingredients, then look no further than this list.

Each protein powder was selected with one goal in mind: Will this help me gain weight safely and effectively?

If you’re reading this, chances are you understand how hard it is to gain weight or put on those last few pounds – and at this point, I’m sure you want something that will work.

Well with all that said, here are the nine best protein powders for weight gain on the market today.

Best Protein Powder For Weight Gain

Coming in as my top pick, Naked Nutrition Naked Mass makes the list as the best protein powder for weight gain. Made with only three ingredients, Naked Whey, Naked Casein, and organic maltodextrin, Naked Mass is a reputable brand that offers nothing but top-quality ingredients, ensuring quality results.

Each serving is packed with 1250 calories, 252g of complex carbohydrates, and 50 grams of high-quality protein, including all nine essential amino acids, made from whey protein concrete and micellar Casein. With so many nutrients in one serving size, you are bound to hit your nutrition goals for the day.

Available in chocolate and vanilla, Naked Mass is a great whey protein powder to help you build muscle and gain weight.

Try Naked Nutrition Naked Mass

Best Vegan Protein Powder for Weight Gain

Making the list again as the best protein powder for weight gain, Naked Nutrition Vegan Naked Mass is a plant-based protein powder made from premium pea protein, brown rice protein, and organic maltodextrin.

Similar to its whey protein counterpart, each serving of Vegan Naked Mass contains 1230 calories, 248g of complex carbohydrates, and 50 grams of protein, including all essential amino acids, to promote muscle growth and muscle recovery.

On the contrary, Vegan Naked Mass protein powder is high in minerals such as Calcium, Iron, and Phosphate, making it a great option for those that are lactose intolerant, or for those that are switching to a plant-based diet.

Try Naked Nutrition Vegan Naked Mass

Best Whey Protein Powder with No Preservatives

Made with no artificial sweeteners, preservatives, or coloring, Transparent Labs Mass Gainer is a great protein powder to help you gain muscle mass and weight.

Each serving of Mass Gainer contains 53 grams of protein sourced from 100% grass-fed whey concentrate, 110g of complex carbohydrates, and 750 calories. In addition, each serving yields 3 grams of creatine monohydrate, providing you with more fuel during your workouts and helping you gain muscle mass.

Sourced from nutrient-dense ingredients and available in two flavors, Transparent Labs Mass Gainer is one of the best protein powders on the market today to help you build muscle and gain weight!

Try Transparent Labs Mass Gainer

Best Grass-Fed Whey Protein Meal Replacement For Gut Health

RSP TrueFit is a meal replacement protein powder to help you meet your nutritional needs while gaining weight and building muscle. Their whey protein is sourced from grass-fed cows that are raised without the use of hormones and antibiotics, ensuring safe and high-quality ingredients.

One serving size yields 25g of grass-fed whey protein, 170 calories, and 14g of carbs made from a blend of organic fruits and vegetables, healthy fats, and prebiotics to aid with digestion and improve gut health.

Available in four different flavors, RSP’s TrueFit Meal replacement is the best option for anyone that would like to slowly add a few more pounds of lean muscle mass, and improve their gut health.

Try RSP TrueFit Meal Replacement

Best Whey Protein Powder with Vitamin and Mineral Profile

Aimed to help you gain weight and build muscle mass, Optimum Nutrition is a well-known brand to help fuel your workouts and is available in four different flavors: chocolate, chocolate peanut butter, vanilla, and strawberry.

Made with 1,250 calories per serving, 50 grams of protein, and 253g of carbohydrates, Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass is one of the best protein powders for weight gain. Not to mention, Serious Mass protein powder contains 25 vitamins and essential minerals to support your muscle growth.

However, it’s important to note that Serious Mass gainer does contain 2-4 artificial ingredients depending on the flavor selected. Other than those 2-4 ingredients, Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass is still one of the better protein powders for weight gain on the market today.

Try Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass Gainer

Best Protein Powder for Weight Gain with Fewer Calories per Serving

If consuming too many calories are a concern, here is a protein powder that can help you gain weight and build muscle, at a steadier pace – depending on your diet and activity levels of course.

Two scoops of this powder packs 560 calories, 97g of complex carbohydrates, and 30g of a protein blend consisting of whey protein isolate, whey protein concentrate, micellar casein protein, and milk protein. Each serving also contains 4.5g of fat made from avocado, flaxseed powder, and sunflower.

Each batch is tested for banned substances, ensuring a quality powder, along with great taste. Available in 6 delicious flavors, Clean Gainer makes a great choice to help you gain weight at a steadier pace.

Try Rival Nutrition Clean Gainer

Best High Carb and High Protein Blend

Dymatize Super Mass Gainer was made with one goal in mind, to gain weight. Formulated with 1280 calories per serving, 52g of protein, and 245g of carbs Super Mass Gainer will undoubtedly get you to your weight gain goals.

Each serving also yields 10.7g of BCAAs, aiding in muscle growth and recovery, and 17 vitamins and minerals, to support a well-balanced diet, making it a great option for those who would like to put on a surplus amount of weight, while supporting bodily functions.

Although it’s made with artificial flavors and fillers (which we want to avoid), Dymatize Super Mass Gainer is definitely a popular protein powder that will get you to your goals.

Try Dymatize Super Mass Gainer

Best Priced Protein Powder For Weight Gain

Made with only two ingredients (unflavored option), whey protein concentrate and non-GMO sunflower lecithin, Levels Grass Fed Whey Protein is another great protein powder that is strictly sourced from grass-fed cows raised with no hormones and antibiotics, to help you build muscle mass.

Each serving contains 130 calories, and 25g of protein, with 5.6g of it being BCAAs to help you build lean muscle. Although it only serves 2g of carbs per serving, it makes a great option for those who are able to meet their carb intake without the help of any dietary supplements.

Levels’ Grass Fed Whey Protein is made with no added sugars, fillers, artificial flavors, and/or sweeteners. Even if you select one of their many flavors, they are all sweetened with natural ingredients such as monk fruit extract and stevia leaf extract.

Try Levels’ Grass Fed Whey Protein

Best Plant-Based Organic Meal Replacement

Sourced with all-natural ingredients to keep you going throughout your day, Garden of Life’s Raw Organic Meal Shake is designed not only to act as a protein powder but to act as a meal replacement for those that are always on the go.

Packed with 20 grams of plant protein per serving, 130 calories, 13g of carbs, a blend of 44 superfoods, probiotics, enzymes, and 21 whole food vitamins and minerals, Raw Organic Meal Shake is a great choice for anyone supplementing their vitamin and mineral intake along with their protein intake.

Ensuring quality ingredients, Raw Organic Meal shake is certified USDA Organic, Non-GMO project verified, vegan, and free of gluten, soy, dairy, tree nuts, artificial flavors, preservatives, and fillers.

Also available in small 2.4oz packets to take on the go, Raw Organic Meal Shake is available in cocoa, vanilla, spiced chai, and lightly sweet, making it easier to meet your nutritional needs.

Try Garden of Life Raw Organic Meal Shake

FAQ

What is Whey Protein?

Whey protein is a byproduct of the cheese-making process derived from milk. It is one of the most popular and widely used forms of protein powders as it contains all nine essential amino acids and has the highest concentration of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), which are necessary for muscle growth, repair, and maintenance. It also has a high bioavailability, meaning it is easily absorbed by the body.

What is Plant-Based Protein?

Plant-based protein is derived from sources such as pea protein, brown rice protein, hemp protein, etc. Plant-based protein usually lacks one or more of the essential amino acids required for muscle growth but can be combined with other plant-based proteins to form a complete protein source.

How Much Protein and Carbs Do I Need?

The amount of protein needed for muscle growth depends on individual goals and metabolism. The recommended daily intake is 0.8 – 1g/kg of bodyweight for the average person, however, athletes or physically active individuals may require up to 1.2-2g/kg depending on their training program.

If you’re not sure how much protein and carbs you need, click here to use a macronutrient calculator.

When Is The Best Time to Take Whey Protein?

While you may need a surplus of proteins to build more muscle, it’s important to understand that you should only consume 25-30g of protein per serving, multiple times per day, as your body can only absorb up to 30g of protein within 1-2 hours of consumption. Anything consumed in excess is excreted as waste.

So it’s best to take your protein powders before and after your workouts and throughout your day to meet your daily protein requirements and increase muscle mass.

Which Is The Best Protein Powder For My Weight Gain Goals?

Now the answer to this question is very subjective and depends from person to person. Typically the best protein powder for weight gain is one that contains a high protein and carb count.

However, depending on your goals, your current physical activity levels, or your diet, you may not need a protein powder that offers such a high amount of carbs and protein. In addition, if you have a metabolic condition like diabetes, it’s best if you do not opt for a high-carb protein powder. As always, if you have medical concerns, be sure to talk to your doctor.

How I Selected Each Protein Powder for Weight Gain?

Now there are many great protein powders on the market that offer effective ingredients, however, our main goal here is to gain weight and build muscle safely. For that reason, many of those great protein powders didn’t make the cut. Many protein powders didn’t offer enough nutrients to support weight gain or were simply filled with too many fillers.

With that said, here is my selection process:

Ingredients: The best protein powder for weight gain is one that offers quality ingredients, with little to no fillers, and maximizes muscle protein synthesis.

Protein: Selecting a protein powder with quality protein is important to ensure the effectiveness of the product.

Carbohydrates: Selecting products with high-quality complex carbohydrates to ensure proper fuel during your workouts and throughout the day. In addition, selecting a protein powder with an adequate amount of carbs will also ensure you gain your desired weight.

Calories: Protein powders high in calories are great for weight gain, however, you want to be sure the calories are from macronutrients and not fillers.

Final Thoughts

Gaining weight can be easy for some, and difficult for others. It’s a challenge that many people face on a regular basis. But, adding protein powder to your diet can make the process a lot easier.

Whey protein is a fast-acting source of protein, and when coupled with an effective resistance training program, it can help to stimulate muscle growth. Plant-based protein is a great alternative for those who are vegetarian, vegan, or lactose-interplant.

It’s important to pick a powder that not only aligns with your goals but is also safe to consume. However, I do understand that will shorten the list of great-tasting protein powders for gaining weight. So be sure to pick wisely.

Whatever you decide, just remember that all protein powders whether animal or plant-based, safe or unsafe, are only to be used as a dietary supplement. They are not meant to be the main source of your nutrients. Be sure to get as many nutrients from your diet first, then look to a protein powder to supplement your nutrient intake.

Remember, not all protein powders are created equal and should be consumed with some thought.

I hope this helps you along your journey. All the best!