The Best High Calorie Protein Bars For Weight Gain

If you’re looking to gain weight but don’t have the time or patience to cook multiple times a day, sit and eat every few hours, or simply can never eat enough, high calorie protein bars are an easy and efficient solution.

Many protein bars on the market are usually geared towards weight loss, and typically contain less than 200 calories on average. However, high calorie protein bars provide anywhere from 300-600 calories per bar and have a high concentration of carbohydrates and protein which is essential for muscle growth and weight gain.

So it’s important to select the right high calorie bar to help you achieve your weight gain goals.

When selecting a high calorie protein bar for weight gain, be sure to look at the following:

What to Look For In a High Calorie Protein Bar?

Calories: Select a bar that is high in calories, as your caloric input needs to be higher than your caloric output in order to gain weight.

Carbohydrates: A bar with a higher carbohydrate content and made with complex carbohydrates such as brown rice, are needed as carbs are used to fuel your body and avoid depleting your muscle mass. Higher calories and carbs make great weight gain bars.

Protein: A high protein content is needed to build and maintain muscle mass

Fats: A bar high in healthy fats and contains little to no trans-fats.

Sugars: Most high calorie bars are filled with added sugars. The least amount of added sugars, the better. So try to be mindful of how many bars consume in a day if you opt for a high calorie bar with a higher sugar content.

To make things much easier, I took the time to research and narrow down the best high calorie protein bars on the market, to help you gain weight effectively and easily. This list is short and sweet so you don’t have to waste any more time.

Here are seven of the best high calorie protein bars for weight gain.

1. Best High Calorie Protein Bar for Weight Gain

Perfect to take on the go, GreenBelly Meals is the best high calorie protein bar for weight gain as each bar contains up to 695 calories per serving! This high calorie protein bar also works great as a meal replacement bar if you are short on time or if you need extra fuel for a long day ahead of you.

Made with a great blend of plant-based complex carbohydrates to keep you going, GreenBelly Meals is loaded with fiber, just enough protein, and less than 19g of added sugars- which is way less than other high calorie bars.

Available in 5 different flavors, GreenBelly Meals are the best high calorie bars for weight gain.

Try GreenBelly Meals

2. Best Protein Blend High Calorie Bar

Depending on your flavor of choice, MET-Rx Big 100 Bars are packed with 380-420 calories, 45-48g of carbohydrates to keep you fueled and a guaranteed 30g of protein in each bar to support muscle growth and maintenance.

These calorie dense bars are made from soy protein isolate, whey protein isolate, hydrolyzed whey protein isolate, casein, egg white, and L-Glutamine, giving you a wide range of fast and slow-digesting proteins, to give you immediate and long-lasting energy along your weight gain journey.

Each bar is filled with 18 vitamins and minerals, and is available in 8 different flavors, making it one of the better high calorie bars for weight gain and an excellent choice to meet your nutritional needs.

Try MET-Rx Big 100 Bars

3. Best High Calorie Bars With No Added Sugars

Packed with 17 essential vitamins and minerals, SANS Meal Bar is another calorie dense meal replacement bar that can help you gain healthy weight.

Each bar is made with all-natural whole food ingredients such as egg whites and almonds and contains no added sugars, sugar alcohols, artificial sweeteners dairy, soy, or gluten, making a great option for anyone who is lactose-intolerant, or for those who don’t want to consume too much sugar while gaining weight.

Each bar serves up 390 calories, 17g of protein, and 43g of carbohydrates, and is available in four different flavors.

With such a clean list of ingredients, SANS Meal Bar is one of the healthier high calorie bars for weight gain.

Try Sans Meal Bar

4. Best Organic Plant-Based High Calorie Bars for Weight Gain

Garden of Life’s Organic Plant-Based Performance Protein Bar is an excellent high calorie bar if you are looking for a bar that is completely organic.

Made with USDA organic and Non-GMO ingredients, each bar is made with 300 calories sourced from complex carbohydrates to keep you energized, 20g of organic whole food plant protein blend, aiding in muscle growth and repair, 3.5g of BCAAs, and 9g of organic soluble fiber to keep you satisfied while you gain weight.

Each bar is vegan certified, NSF Certified For Sport, and Informed-Choice for Sport Certified and is made without any gluten, dairy, or soy products, for an enjoyable taste.

Available in four different flavors, Garden of Life’s Organic Plant-Based Performance Protein Bar is one of the healthier high calorie protein bars for weight gain.

Try Garden of Life’s Organic Plant-Based Performance Protein Bar

5.Best Probiotic High Calorie Bar

PROBAR Live is another great high calorie protein bar that is USDA Organic, non-GMO, with no added sugars, and made with probiotics to aid with digestion.

Each bar contains complex carbohydrates such as organic sorghum flakes, and blend of healthy fats such as organic almond butter, organic sunflower seeds, and organic flax seeds to keep you energized throughout your day, and 10g of a plant-based complete protein blend.

Available in four different flavors, PROBAR Live is a great high calorie weight gain bar to try!

Try PROBAR Live

6. Best Whey High Calorie Protein Bar

Made with the athlete in mind, Gatorade Whey Protein Bars were made to keep you satiated and meet your nutritional requirements.

Available in seven different flavors, each bar contains up to 350 calories, 43g of carbohydrates, and 20g of protein to help maintain your caloric intake.

Although this is a high calorie protein bar, it’s important to note that this bar is on the sweeter side as it contains up to 30g of added sugars, making it one of the sweeter high calorie bars for weight gain.

Try Gatorade Whey Protein Recovery Bar

7. Best High Calorie Bars With No Trans-Fats

Sourced from high quality ingredients and a blend of complete protein, Clif Builders bars are a great high calorie bar that is packed with 290 calories and 20g of protein.

Made from ingredients like soy protein isolate, rice flour, and almond butter, Clif Builders is sure to help you gain weight and build muscle. In addition, each bar is made with 11g of fat such as high oleic sunflower oil, to help with heart health.

Available in four different flavors, such as chocolate mint, and chocolate peanut butter flavor, Clif Builders Bar is a great option to help you meet your calorie intake and weight gain goals.

Try Clif Builders

How Many Calories Do I Need to Gain Weight?

The amount of calories you need to consume daily to gain weight depends on your current weight, activity level, and desired rate of weight gain. Generally speaking, the more active you are, the more calories you may need to consume in order to gain weight. It is also important to note that if you are trying to build muscle then consuming an adequate amount of protein is needed to avoid losing muscle mass.

What Are The Best Weight Gain Bars?

The best weight gain bars are the ones that are high in calories, resulting from a high source of complex carbs and quality protein. Checking the nutrition facts for the list of ingredients is the best way to ensure the high calorie bar is filled with nutrients and not empty calories.

Although you can find great options on the market, you can also opt for you very own homemade high calorie bars to gain weight. There are many recepies that can give you the extra calories you need and promote healthy weight gain.

How Many High Calorie Bars Should I Eat?

The number of high calorie bars you eat in a day depends on your current diet, physical activity levels, overall lifestyle and how much weight you want to gain.

I strictly recommend consuming high calorie bars as a means to supplement your diet. You should try to obtain all your nutrients from eating whole foods first, then look to supplements as a means to reach your weight gain goal.

With that said, I only recommend eating 1-2 bars a day as means of supplementation. You should aim to get most of your nutrients from your diet.

Final Thoughts

Although gaining weight might seem difficult, reaching your goals with the right diet and exercise plan is possible. If you find that you’re struggling to consume enough calories, try adding a high calorie protein bar to your diet. This will help give you the extra boost you need to reach your goals.

I hope this article helps you along your journey.

All the best!