9 Best Meal Replacement Shakes For Weight Gain (2024)

Last Updated on December, 2024

A little Less Than Half (45% to be exact) of the people globally are trying to lose weight, But that’s not the case for skinny individuals like you! 

Unlike the majority, you might be on a journey to put on some pounds, and similar to healthy weight loss, healthy weight gain is not easy, plus it takes time. Also, being underweight can pose serious health issues if necessary action isn’t taken.

High-calorie meal replacement shakes can help with this, though. 

But, the thing is that most of these supplements are targeted at groups who’re looking to shed pounds. Because of this, finding weight gain shakes can be an uphill struggle, especially if you’re new to the meal replacement space.

Not to worry! We’ve done the research, and in fact, we’ve personally tried the shakes too, and for sure, it makes a difference. 

Also, worth noting, while picking these shakes, important things like Taste, Nutritional Value, and all the nitty-gritty were taken into account so that you don’t end up in, should I say, hospital? 

9 of the Best Meal Replacement Shakes for Weight Gain

Below are the 9 best meal replacement shakes for weight gain. Going with any of these shakes can help you to gain weight. 

Also, quite a few underweight people try to build lean muscle mass, and if you’re one of them, you’ll be pleased to hear that these meal replacement supplements help with that too.

1. Transparent Labs Mass Gainer (Top Pick for Highest Calories)

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The Transparent Labs Mass Gainer is a great fit for your muscle-building journey, be it for any workout regime you are following. The very question that every gym goer has is, “How many calories?” Be it food or supplement.

This high calorie meal replacement has the right amount of calorie intake with each serving so that those who find it challenging to gain it through food alone can make it work – providing 790 calories along with 53g of 100% grass-fed whey protein.

You don’t want any artificial ingredients in you, right? Transparent Labs Gainer ensures that there are no artificial sweeteners, artificial coloring, and no artificial preservatives.

The supplement also has its share of creatine monohydrate to help you with muscle recovery and strength after your workouts (You break it down so that it may build you up, Nah).

It would help if you took two scoops of this nutrient-filled goodness for each serving so that you may receive the calories and Protein. The meal replacement also includes a total of 114g of Carbs consisting of 6g of dietary fibers and 17g of total sugars.

For those attempting to include this supplement for the first time, you can start it off with ½ scoop for the first week before gradually increasing it to one and above. You should pair the two scoops with non-fat or low-fat milk for a rich shake.

Most reviews point towards the fact that this mixes well and is a great-tasting one that even the most reluctant of you would like the texture and taste of it.

Here’s some nutritional information and key facts for Transparent Labs Mass Gainer Chocolate Glaze Donut (790 Calories):

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2. HLTH Code Complete (Best Tasting Meal Replacement Shake)

A meal replacement shake that makes you wonder if this is a dessert that you are having on your cheat day or your nutrient shake for the day.

Ask anyone, and some even say that the Creamy Vanilla flavor tastes even good with just water (I feel like having one while working on this article – I’m crunching my brain muscles).

HLTH Code Complete provides 400 calories for each serving (2 scoops per serving), along with 27g of Protein derived from whey, egg whites, and hydrolyzed grass-fed collagen. It also has a 1:1 ratio of healthy fats to Protein while including an array of 25 vitamins and minerals.

Are you into a keto diet and wondering if this would be suitable? Yes, HLTH Code Complete is keto friendly. It also has no GMO or artificial additives.

Here’s some nutritional information and key facts for HLTH Code Complete Chocolate Macadamia (400 Calories):

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3. Crazy Nutrition Mass Gainer (Top Choice to Gain Weight)

Are you that one skinny cousin in the family or the thinnest in the friend group? I know that you have been trying to eat more and more to see you gain some healthy pounds. This would be a step towards reaching your dream body for someone like you.

We are talking about gains here and not putting on fat. You would be at Mcdonald’s right now if you were looking to get fat instead of gains.

Another noteworthy aspect of its contents is the substantial amount of omega3. Each serving (2 ½ scoops, which is 95g) has 400 calories and 24g of vegan Protein.

This shake can be easily prepared by adding 2 ½ scoops of meal replacement powder to water or plant-based milk to experience the nutrient-filled goodness.

Unlike most of the market mass gainers that contain Maltodextrin, which is a no-good substance that will deteriorate your health, this shake stays away from such unhealthy ingredients.

Crazy Nutrition Mass Gainer provides your body with 695 calories and 50g of Protein in each serving. The protein blend of this product contains both whey protein concentrate and whey protein isolate to give you a healthy dose of the right mix.

This shake has 100g of Carbs, making it a 2:1 ratio of Protein per serving, and Carb10 is derived from premium pea starch to help improve digestion and prevent insulin spikes.

It also includes creatine, like Transparent Labs MRS, and added digestive enzymes to help digestion and prevent bloating.

Here’s some nutritional information and key facts for Crazy Nutrition Mass Gainer Vanilla Flavor (672 Calories):

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4. Instant Knockout Complete (Cut Fat But Retain Muscle Mass)

What did I hear? You want to lose fat but keep all those muscles you kept hidden underneath.

Now, this is quite a predicament, but Instant Knockout Cut is your go-to in a situation like that. Lose all that excess fat and retain the muscles that you worked on. And Instant Knockout Complete makes sure that you keep the nutrients the body needs to keep it in check without being cut off.

Most MMA fighters and boxers use this to keep their muscles and weight management in check. Don’t worry! This is all legal and safe. (You don’t have to be an MMA Fighter to use this, ya know :D)

All the workouts, sweat and pain you went through to build those muscles, only to be covered up, is no longer a barrier. You can show them off without any hindrance from the unnecessary fat.

The core ingredients of Instant Knockout Complete meal replacement are Plant-based Protein, MCT, and Chia seed, to name a few. They help you speed up your metabolism, boost fat oxidation, and suppress your appetite to keep your eating habits in check.

This meal replacement shake gives you 400 calories per serving (2 scoops per serving), 35g of Carbs and 35g of Protein in a 1:1 ratio. This allows you to keep your strength while working out and helps you build and retain the muscles you worked on.

This is also amongs the meal replacements with a dose of extra vitamins

All you need is 500ml of water and two scoops added into a shaker and shaken well for 10-15 secs. And, then, drink it.

Here’s some nutritional information and key facts for Instant Knockout Complete Vanilla Flavor (400 Calories):

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5. Kaged Clean Meal (Easily Absorbed and Easily Digestible)

A meal replacement shake suitable for any diet you may follow is Kaged Clean Meal. This meal replacement is structured to help you through workouts and even on your busy days.

They use ioWhey™ Technology on their premium whey protein isolate, which showed a 123% increase in essential amino acid absorption compared to regular whey. It includes 21 organic vitamins and minerals from vegetables and fruits, a must-have nutrient in your fitness journey.

It provides 6.5 grams of BCAAs per serving, allowing an ideal anabolic environment for maximum performance and muscle growth. Kaged Clean Meal Replacement is free of gluten and has no GMOs.

Each serving consists of two scoops and provides you with 260 calories along with 29g of Protein. It also has 20g of Total Carbs and 5g of Total Fat. For those of you who are in the weight gain process, this would be highly suitable.

Kaged Clean Meal comes in 3 flavor varieties that make your taste senses explode with delight. However, reports indicate that the Vanilla Cake flavor is a favorite among consumers.

Here’s some nutritional information and key facts for Kaged Clean Meal Chocolate Peanut Butter (240 Calories):

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6. Soylent Meal Replacement Shake (Hasslefree and Convenient)

Are scoops and shakes a hassle for you while on the run? Or are you bored with making your shake every time? Soylent Meal Replacement Shake is a ready-mix shake that allows you to enjoy a meal replacement shake without putting much work into it.

This shake contains a plant-based protein (Soy protein), nine essential amino acids, and 28 vitamins & minerals that support metabolism, immunity, and overall health. It is also one of the best vegan meal replacement that will help you in gaining weight.

A package consists of 12 bottles, and each of the bottles is 414ml. This has been a lifesaver for busy folks, especially students and everyone running out of time in the morning but still wanting to stay healthy.

Another essential fact to be noticed is that this shake is Gluten-free, nut-free, and dairy-free. This is a suitable meal replacement for vegans as this is a purely vegan product.

It comes in various flavors you can sift through to choose your favorites. Compared to the others that have only one or two flavors max (that too is basic vanilla and chocolate).

Here’s some nutritional information and key facts for Soylent Creamy Chocolate Protein Nutrition Shake (400 Calories):

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7. Ambronite Complete Meal Shake (2-In-1 Product)

Ambronite Complete Meal Shake is suitable for those looking for a meal replacement that is Dairy-free, Soy-free, and has no GMO or artificial sweeteners.

They even promote themselves as a 2-in-1 product as it is both a plant-based meal shake and a green juice. It is one of the best vegan meal replacement that makes you feel like you really are drinking ‘greens’.

Another noteworthy aspect of its contents is the substantial amount of omega3. Each serving (2 ½ scoops, which is 95g) has 400 calories and 24g of vegan Protein. This shake can be easily prepared by adding 2 ½ scoops of meal replacement powder to water or plant-based milk to experience the nutrient-filled goodness.

Here’s some nutritional information and key facts for Ambronite Complete Meal Shake Original Flavor (400 Calories):

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8. Huel Black (Complete Nutrition Pack)

Yes, the name is correct. Sounds too cool for a meal replacement shake. Huel Black is Gluten-free, Lactose-free, Palm oil-free, and also GMO-free.

This plant-based shake will cater to vegans and others with its complete nutrition pack. It contains green tea extract, a support system for your weight loss, blood sugar regulation, disease prevention, and exercise recovery journey.

Huel Black also consists of 27 essential vitamins and minerals and Omega 3 and 6. This shake needs to be taken on a 90g x 5 times per day method. This means that each serving (90g) consists of 400 calories and 40g of Protein to assist your body in keeping up with your regime.

Just like Soylent Meal Replacement Shake, Huel Black also has various flavors under its belt to suit each user’s taste buds accordingly.

Here’s some nutritional information and key facts for Huel Black Chocolate (400 Calories):

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9. Paleo Pro Carnivore Complete (Nutritous Non-Vegan Shake)

Nope, this is not for the faint-hearted ones (I meant the vegans and vegetarians). This shake consists of premium quality grass-fed beef organs & tallow.

Paleo Pro stands out from the norm of the usual meal replacement shakes by acknowledging that animals are an essential part of human dietary health.

The main ingredients that stand out from the others on the list are; Beef Tallow & Collagen from grass-fed and pastured cows, Egg White Protein from Non-GMO cage-free chickens, and Grass-Fed Organ Blend (Liver, Kidney, Heart, Spleen, and Pancreas).

Paleo Pro Carnivore Complete is keto & paleo-friendly. This is quite suitable for those who are not receiving the right result from the plant-based shakes. Each serving of this meal replacement provides 180 calories and 13g of Protein.

This is a good meal replacement if you are on the lookout for a low-carb diet while including its essential nutrients.

Here’s some nutritional information and key facts for Paleo Pro Carnivore Complete Aztec Vanilla (180 Calories):

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What to Look Out for When Buying a Meal Replacement Shake For Weight Gain

If you’re looking for a meal replacement to add some bulk, you need to know that not every one of them is capable of doing that. 

Meal replacement shakes were initially made for weight loss. Just recently, weight gain shakes were introduced.

So, there are certain things you need to keep an eye on while going for a meal replacement shake for weight gain. The meal replacement you pick should contain these if you’re to see the results you crave.

The Amount of Calories

If you ask me the most important nutrient that should be present in weight gain meal replacement shakes, I would say calories. 

Calories play a role when you’re trying to lose weight or gain it. And for this case, you’ll need a shake that’s high in protein. 

This is vital; only a high caloric meal replacement shake can help you bulk up, so look for a shake with at least 300 calories. Anything more than that is more than appreciated.

Sugar

Most meal replacement shakes contain higher calories mainly because they have high sugar content. Don’t be fooled; sugar usually has empty calories, and even though they taste sweet, they provide no benefits. 

Look for a shake that keeps sugar to a minimum and gets all of its calories from other healthy sources.

Consider our best picks for the tasting meal replacement shakes.

Balanced Macros

One of the most important nutrients for gaining a healthy weight is protein. Go for a shake that has at least 10 grams of it. 

One other reason why protein is important is that they contain BCAAs, which are helpful for muscle development. (1)

And when it comes to carbs and fats, most of the meal replacement shakes for weight gain contain medium to high carbohydrate and low-fat content.

And fats that are present in the shakes should be either healthy or unsaturated fats. As for the carbs, they should be complex with a high glycemic index. (2)

Also, the carbohydrate concentration is usually higher than protein content when it comes to meal replacement shakes for weight gain. 

Micronutrient 

This is another important factor that should be taken into consideration. Vitamins and minerals can be highly beneficial for health, and if the shake you’re going for contains it, it’s basically complete.

How Can Meal Replacement Shakes Promote Healthy Weight Gain?

Meal replacement shakes are a convenient way to put on some pounds. They help you healthily gain weight, unlike junk foods which lead to fast and unhealthy weight gain.

Speaking of healthy weight gain, it’s enough to get around 2 or 3 pounds per week, and along with it, you should not forget to exercise, which is also important.

Even though not all meal replacements are healthy, most of them are more than capable of helping you with weight gain.

These shakes are great, no matter your health goals. Boosting your diet with extra macronutrients and calories can lead to healthful weight gain, and meal shakes do exactly that. 

If you incorporate them into your diet properly, you can for sure see the results you came craving for.

However, make sure to consult your doctor before using them in your diet.

Benefits of Meal Replacement for Weight Gain

There’s a good amount of benefits that you can expect from the best meal replacements for weight gain if you’re thinking of incorporating them into your diet.

Convenient

This is the biggest benefit of moving to meal replacements; these are just unmatched when it comes to this department. As I said before, gaining weight healthily is not easy, and these shakes make the process that little bit easier.

Gone are the days of counting calories and macronutrients for pretty much all the food you eat because everything is mentioned right on the packaging. 

Next is you don’t have to prepare any high caloric meals, especially to help you in the journey, everythings prepared and it’s just a matter of drinking them on time.

They Help You Gain Weight Healthy and Promote Healthy Eating

When someone thinks of weight gain, they think of junk food. Yes, they help to stack some pounds, but that’s unhealthy. These foods are brimmed with fats and carbs that are nowhere near as healthy as on a meal replacement shake.

Also, eating them for weight gain can only make matters worse; while they can provide enough calories, the other stuff in them leads to gaining excess fat mass instead of muscle mass.

It is vital to have foods that are stacked with macronutrients and other nutrients if you’re to see healthy weight gain with little to no fat mass accumulation. And meal replacements can help you with this.

Success Rate is High

Adding meal shakes to your diet can certainly lead to valuable outcomes, and its chances are very high.

Final Thoughts

Weight loss or gain, meal replacements are perfect for helping individuals with whatever their goal is. It’s excellent for weight management too. 

If you’ve been thinking of adding these shakes into your diet, you can do so now. These can serve great if integrated with a healthy diet and some exercise. 

And if I had to pick out of the bunch, I’d go with Transparent Labs Mass Gainer. It has all the essentials required for a weight gain shake, and on top of that, the convenience and the all-natural ingredients raise the bar even higher. 

Also, not to mention how beneficial it is in the digestive department, you have to try it to experience it. 

However, the ball is on your court. Any of the shakes I’ve mentioned above will help you see the desired goal. It’s just a matter of you picking one.

FAQs

REFERENCES:

1. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/benefits-of-bcaa
2. https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/a-good-guide-to-good-carbs-the-glycemic-index