I'm trying to gain weight. What are some good protein shakes for weight gain?

Gaining weight effectively comes down to achieving a consistent calorie surplus—consuming more calories than your body burns . While commercial "mass gainer" powders exist, you can also build incredibly dense, high-calorie shakes at home using standard protein powder and whole foods.

Commercial Mass Gainer Powders

If you prefer a pre-made powder that packs heavy calories and protein into a single scoop , these options are top-rated:

• Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass : A classic heavy-hitter providing around 1,260 calories and 50g of protein per serving when mixed with water (even more with milk).
• Transparent Labs Mass Gainer : A cleaner option if you want quality whole-food carbohydrate sources (like oat and tapioca) with fewer artificial additives, delivering roughly 770 calories and 53g of protein.
• Nutricost Mass Gainer : A budget-friendly alternative that provides a massive calorie and carb load (around 1,220 calories and 50g protein) without breaking the bank.

DIY High-Calorie Weight Gain Shake (Recommended)

Commercial mass gainers are often loaded with simple sugars and can cause digestive bloat. Making your own shake lets you control the quality of nutrients, fiber, and healthy fats.

The 800+ Calorie Bulking Recipe:

• Liquid base: 1.5 cups whole milk or fortified soy milk (~220 calories)
• Protein source: 1–2 scoops of your favorite whey or plant-based protein powder (~120–240 calories)
• Healthy fats: 2 tablespoons of peanut butter or almond butter (~190 calories)
• Carbs & Thickness: 1 large ripe banana (~120 calories)
• Extra calories/fiber: 1/2 cup of dry rolled oats blended into a powder first (~150 calories)

Total breakdown: ~800 to 1,000+ calories and 45g–55g of protein depending on your exact portions.

If you'd like, let me know:

• Do you have any dairy or nut allergies?
• Are you looking for a pre-made powder or a home recipe?

I can help tailor a specific daily calorie and meal plan for your goals.

Absolutely. If your goal is healthy weight gain, I’d focus on shakes that provide both protein and plenty of calories—not just a scoop of protein powder in water. A calorie surplus is what drives weight gain, while protein plus resistance training can help you add muscle.

🥤 Easy high-calorie shakes

• Chocolate peanut-butter shake: Whole milk + banana + Greek yogurt + peanut butter + cocoa + honey. Roughly 550–650 calories and 30g protein, depending on portions.
• Banana-oat shake: Whole milk + banana + protein powder + oats + peanut butter. Great if you want something filling with substantial carbs and protein.
• Berry cheesecake shake: Whole milk + Greek yogurt + frozen berries + oats + honey + vanilla protein powder.
• Coffee protein shake: Whole milk + cold coffee + banana + chocolate or vanilla protein powder + peanut butter + oats.
• Simple mass-gainer shake: Whole milk + protein powder + banana + peanut butter + oats. You can easily make this 700–900+ calories by increasing the oats and peanut butter.

The easiest formula

Think of your shake as:

Protein: protein powder or Greek yogurt Carbs: banana, oats, berries, honey Healthy fats: peanut/almond butter, avocado, chia seeds Liquid: whole milk or soy milk

Adding calorie-dense ingredients such as nut butter, oats, avocado and whole milk makes a shake much more useful for weight gain than a low-calorie protein shake.

If you're considering store-bought mass gainers, products marketed specifically for weight gain generally contain substantially more calories from carbohydrates and fats than ordinary protein powders.

One tip: Don't make the shake so huge that it kills your appetite for meals. Having a 400–700 calorie shake between meals or after training is often an easier strategy.

If you tell me your age, height, weight, sex, and how often you exercise, I can give you a specific shake recipe with calories/protein tailored to your weight-gain goal.

When you are trying to gain weight, you need a caloric surplus (consuming more calories than you burn), ideally paired with adequate protein to build muscle rather than just fat.

Protein shakes designed for weight gain are typically called mass gainers —they pack heavy amounts of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats into a single serving, often ranging from 400 to over 1,200 calories.

Top-rated weight gain protein shakes and mass gainers fall into a few distinct categories based on your goals and budget:

• Transparent Labs Mass Gainer : Best overall for quality ingredients. It delivers roughly 770 calories, 53g of protein, and 110g of carbohydrates per serving, using natural sweeteners (stevia) and clean carb sources like tapioca and oat flour rather than cheap sugars.
• Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass : Best for heavy bulking. A classic industry staple that delivers a massive 1,250 calories, 50g of blended protein, and over 250g of carbohydrates per serving, plus added vitamins, minerals, and creatine. You can check availability on platforms like iHerb or Muscle & Strength.
• Nutricost Mass Gainer : Best budget option. It provides a heavy-hitting 1,220 calories and 50g of protein per serving at a much more wallet-friendly price point, though it relies on artificial sweeteners like sucralose.
• Huel Black Edition : Best vegan/plant-based option. While technically a nutritionally complete meal replacement rather than a traditional massive-calorie gainer, it provides around 400 clean calories, 40g of plant protein, and healthy fats, making it great for a slower, cleaner weight gain approach.

Pro-Tip: Make Your Own High-Calorie Shake

Commercial mass gainers can sometimes cause digestive heaviness or bloating because of the sheer volume of artificial thickeners and processed sugars. You can easily make a superior, better-tasting high-calorie shake at home using a standard whey protein powder:

• 1–2 scoops of standard whey protein (like Momentous Whey Isolate or any trusted brand)
• 1–2 cups of whole milk (or oat milk)
• 1–2 tablespoons of peanut butter or almond butter
• 1 banana
• 1/2 cup of oats (blended down)
• A handful of spinach or berries (optional)

This DIY approach easily hits 800–1,000 clean calories with real food nutrients and better flavor.

If you'd like, let me know:

• Your dietary restrictions (e.g., lactose intolerant, vegan)
• Whether you prefer whole-food ingredients or maximum convenience

I can tailor a specific shake recipe or product recommendation for you.

If your goal is gaining weight, you’ll usually want a shake that provides extra calories plus enough protein—not just a regular 120-calorie protein drink. A good target is often a shake with roughly 500–1,200+ calories and 30–60 g protein, depending on how much weight you’re trying to gain and your overall diet.

Here are some solid options:

High-calorie mass gainers

• Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass — A classic choice if you struggle to eat enough. A serving provides around 1,260 calories and 50 g protein (varies by flavor).

• Best for: “I’m eating a lot but still can’t gain.”

• Dymatize Super Mass Gainer — Very calorie-dense, with around 1,280 calories and 52 g protein per serving.

• Best for: Serious bulking and weight training.

• Naked Mass Vegan Protein Powder — Plant-based mass gainer with about 1,230 calories and 50 g protein per serving.

• Best for: Avoiding dairy or wanting a shorter ingredient list.

More balanced protein shakes (easier daily use)

• Fairlife Core Power Elite Protein Shake — A convenient ready-to-drink option with high protein, though it’s not as calorie-heavy as a mass gainer.

• Best for: Adding protein between meals.

• Premier Protein Shake — Convenient and widely available, but you’ll likely need to add calories (banana, peanut butter, oats, milk) if weight gain is the goal.

A homemade weight-gain shake (often cheaper)

Blend:

• 2 cups whole milk
• 1 scoop whey protein
• 1 banana
• 2–4 tbsp peanut butter
• ½–1 cup oats
• Optional: honey or Greek yogurt

That can easily reach 700–1,000+ calories while still tasting like a normal smoothie.

A few tips:

• Drink shakes between meals, not instead of meals.
• If you’re lifting weights, pair the calorie increase with resistance training so more of the gain goes toward muscle.
• If you’re not gaining after 2–3 weeks, increase calories (for example, add another snack or increase shake size).

If you tell me your height, weight, age, activity level, and whether you’re trying to gain muscle or just body weight, I can suggest a calorie target and a shake that fits.

Absolutely. If your goal is to gain weight, don't just look for a shake that's high in protein—you want one that's also calorie-dense, with carbohydrates and healthy fats. Otherwise, you can end up drinking a 150-calorie protein shake that fills you up without adding much to your overall calorie intake.

🥤 Good shakes for weight gain

1. Peanut Butter Banana Shake — my favorite

• 1 banana
• 2 tbsp peanut butter
• 1 cup whole milk
• ½ cup Greek yogurt
• 1 scoop whey protein
• Optional: ½ cup oats

Depending on portions, this can easily get you into the 600–800+ calorie range with plenty of protein.

2. Chocolate Peanut Butter

• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 scoop chocolate protein powder
• 2 tbsp peanut butter
• ½ cup Greek yogurt
• 1 banana
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp cocoa powder

A similar recipe provides about 535 calories and 36 g protein.

3. High-calorie berry shake

• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 scoop vanilla protein
• 1 cup frozen berries
• ½ cup Greek yogurt
• 2 tbsp almond or peanut butter
• ½ cup oats
• Honey to taste

4. Easy "mass gainer" If you don't want to make your own, look for a mass-gainer protein powder rather than ordinary whey. These are specifically designed to provide substantially more calories through a combination of protein, carbohydrates and fats.

A simple rule

For gaining weight, I'd aim for a homemade shake around 500–800 calories and 25–40+ g protein, then adjust based on how your weight changes. You don't necessarily need a commercial mass gainer—milk, oats, nut butter, bananas, Greek yogurt and protein powder can make a very effective one.

And if you're trying to gain muscle rather than simply body weight, pair the calorie surplus with resistance training; protein supports muscle growth much better in that context.

If you tell me your age, height, weight, sex, and how often you work out, I can estimate how many calories/protein you should aim for and give you a shake recipe tailored to you.

Gaining weight effectively requires a surplus of calories combined with sufficient protein for muscle building (2.0 g to 2.2 g of protein per kilogram of body weight is a common target). If you want to increase your mass, high-calorie mass gainers or nutrient-dense regular protein shakes with added whole foods work best.

Here are top options categorized by type, along with a high-calorie DIY recipe:

Commercial Mass Gainer Shakes (High Calorie)

• Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass : Delivers about 1,250 kcal, 50 g of protein, and over 250 g of carbohydrates per serving when mixed with water. It is a heavy hitter if you struggle to eat enough food.
• Dymatize Super Mass Gainer : Provides around 1,280 kcal, 52 g of protein, and a rich blend of amino acids and vitamins to support intense training and recovery.
• Mutant Mass : Packs roughly 1,100 kcal and 56 g of clean protein per serving, utilizing a whole-food carbohydrate source blend (barley, sweet potato, oat).

Everyday Protein Powders (Great for Custom High-Calorie Shakes)

• Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey : A standard 120 kcal and 24 g protein per scoop. It gives you a clean baseline protein source that you can easily turn into a 700+ calorie shake by adding your own ingredients.
• Orgain Organic Plant Protein : Offers around 150 kcal and 21 g of plant-based protein per serving. Perfect if you are dairy-sensitive or prefer a vegan option.
• MuscleTech Phase8 : A multi-phase protein blend (150 kcal, 26 g protein) designed to feed your muscles over an extended period.

DIY High-Calorie Weight Gain Shake Recipe (~850 kcal)

Commercial gainers can sometimes be high in sugar or heavy on the stomach. Making your own is often cheaper and tastier:

• Base liquid : 1.5 cups of whole milk (220 kcal, 12 g protein)
• Protein powder : 1 scoop of whey protein (120 kcal, 24 g protein)
• Healthy fats/calories : 2 tablespoons of peanut butter (190 kcal, 7 g protein)
• Carbs/Calories : 1 large banana (105 kcal)
• Bonus calories : 1/2 cup of dry oats blended in (150 kcal, 5 g protein)

If you'd like, let me know:

• Do you have any dietary restrictions (lactose intolerant, vegan, etc.)?
• Are you looking for a pre-made powder or do you prefer making them with whole-food ingredients?

I can tailor the recommendations or give you more custom recipes.

If your goal is gaining weight, look for shakes that give you a calorie surplus (extra calories beyond what you normally eat), not just high protein. A good weight-gain shake usually combines 30–50+ g protein with plenty of carbohydrates and some fat.

Some solid options:

High-calorie mass gainers

• Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass — A popular choice if you struggle to eat enough. A serving provides roughly 1,250+ calories and 50 g protein (depending on flavor/serving size).
• Dymatize Super Mass Gainer — Very calorie-dense, with around 1,280 calories and 50+ g protein per serving; better suited for people who need a large calorie boost.
• Naked Nutrition Naked Mass — A simpler ingredient option with about 1,200+ calories and 50 g protein per serving; good if you prefer fewer additives.

Make your own (often cheaper and easier to customize)

A homemade shake can be very effective:

• 2 cups whole milk (~300 calories)
• 1 scoop whey protein (~120 calories, ~25 g protein)
• 1 banana (~100 calories)
• 2–4 tbsp peanut butter (~190–380 calories)
• ½–1 cup oats (~150–300 calories)

That can easily reach 800–1,200+ calories depending on portions.

Tips for actually gaining weight

• Drink a shake between meals, not instead of meals.
• Aim for a slow gain (for example, adding a few hundred extra calories daily).
• If you’re lifting weights, prioritize protein plus progressive strength training so more of the gain goes toward muscle.
• If big shakes make you feel too full, split one serving into two smaller shakes.

If you tell me your height, weight, age, activity level, and whether you want to gain muscle or just body weight, I can suggest a better calorie target and shake size.

Gaining weight requires consuming more calories than you burn (a calorie surplus), and high-calorie protein shakes—often called mass gainers—are a convenient way to boost your daily intake. The best shakes for weight gain combine quality protein with healthy fats and complex carbohydrates.

Here are some top-recommended options broken down by category:

Premium Mass Gainers

• Serious Mass by Optimum Nutrition : A classic heavy-hitter providing around 1,250 calories, 50g of protein, and over 250g of carbohydrates per serving when mixed with water or milk. It is ideal for hardgainers struggling to eat enough food.
• Mutant Mass : Delivers a dense profile with 1,100 calories and 56g of pure protein blend per serving, specifically engineered to support clean muscle mass and size expansion.
• Pro Gainer by Optimum Nutrition : A leaner mass gainer option if you want fewer calories (650) and a higher protein-to-carb ratio (60g of protein), reducing the risk of excess fat gain.

Clean & Organic Options

• Garden of Life Raw Organic All-in-One : A plant-based meal replacement and weight-gain aid offering whole-food nutrition, live probiotics, and clean calories from organic sprouted grains and seeds.
• Vega Sport Protein : While lower in total calories, it provides 30g of plant-based protein and can easily be turned into a heavy weight-gain shake by blending it with nutrient-dense ingredients like peanut butter and oats.
• Orgain Organic Protein & Superfoods : A smooth, plant-based powder that offers clean macros and can be scaled up easily with your own calorie-dense add-ins without artificial sweeteners or heavy additives.

Budget-Friendly Choices

• 100% Mass Gainer by MuscleTech : Offers a solid balance of quality and value, packing over 650 calories and 40g of protein (plus creatine) per serving to support size and strength goals.
• Pure Mass by BulkSupplements : A straightforward, cost-effective powder that lets you control your precise macro ratios and mix exactly what you need without paying for proprietary blends.
• Costco/Kirkland Signature Whey Protein (As a Base) : While not a traditional "mass gainer," buying a bulk tub of standard whey and blending it with kitchen staples (milk, bananas, peanut butter, oats) is the most budget-friendly way to create your own high-calorie shake.

DIY / Whole Food Boosters

• Peanut or Almond Butter : Adding 2 tablespoons adds about 200 calories and 7g of protein to any basic shake.
• Rolled Oats : Blending in a half-cup of raw oats provides roughly 150 calories of slow-digesting complex carbohydrates.
• Whole Milk : Using whole milk instead of water or skim milk instantly increases the calorie and protein content of any powder base.

If you'd like, let me know:

• Your dietary restrictions (dairy-free, vegan, etc.)
• Whether you prefer pre-made bottled shakes or powder you mix at home

I can narrow down the list or share a customized high-calorie shake recipe.

To gain weight effectively, you need a surplus of calories alongside protein , meaning commercial mass-gain powders or nutrient-dense meal-replacement shakes like Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass (yielding over 1,200 calories per serving), BOOST Very High Calorie (530 calories per bottle), or Ensure Plus are ideal choices.

Top Commercial Shakes for Weight Gain

• Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass - A heavy-duty powder delivering around 1,250 calories and 50g of protein per serving when mixed with water or milk, designed specifically for hardgainers.
• BOOST Very High Calorie - A ready-to-drink medical nutrition shake providing 530 calories and a dense concentration of vitamins, minerals, and protein in a small 8-oz volume.
• Ensure Plus - A widely available ready-to-drink nutritional shake providing 350 calories and 13g of protein per serving to support healthy weight and strength gain.
• Naked Mass - A clean-ingredient mass gainer featuring organic complex carbohydrates and whey protein concentrate with zero artificial sweeteners or additives.

High-Calorie Homemade Shake Recipe

Commercial powders can be expensive or overly filling; you can easily blend a 1,000+ calorie homemade shake using affordable everyday ingredients:

1 to 2 cups whole milk (base with high fat and calories) 1 scoop of whey protein powder (like Optimum Gold Standard) 2 tablespoons peanut butter or almond butter for healthy fats and dense calories 1 cup rolled oats blended into a fine powder for clean carbohydrates 1 large banana for thickness, potassium, and extra calories

If you'd like, let me know:

• Do you have any lactose or nut allergies?
• Are you looking for a ready-to-drink bottle or a powder you mix yourself?

I can give you a more personalized recommendation.

Absolutely. If your goal is healthy weight gain, a shake is a convenient way to add calories without making your meals enormous. Mayo Clinic specifically recommends nutrient-dense smoothies/shakes for people trying to gain weight.

🥤 Good homemade weight-gain shakes

1. Peanut Butter Banana — my top pick

• 1½ cups whole milk
• 1 banana
• 2 tbsp peanut butter
• ½ cup oats
• 1 scoop whey protein
• Optional: 1 tbsp honey

Roughly: 700–850 calories and 40–50g protein.

2. Chocolate Peanut Butter

• 1½ cups whole milk
• 1 scoop chocolate protein powder
• 2 tbsp peanut butter
• ½ cup oats
• 1 banana
• 1 tbsp cocoa powder

Roughly: 700–800 calories, 40–50g protein.

3. Berry Yogurt

• 1 cup Greek yogurt
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 cup frozen berries
• ½ cup oats
• 2 tbsp almond or peanut butter
• 1 tbsp honey

Roughly: 600–750 calories, 35–45g protein.

4. Easy "mass gainer"

• 2 cups whole milk
• 1 scoop protein powder
• 1 banana
• ½ cup oats
• 2 tbsp peanut butter
• 1 tbsp olive oil

The olive oil sounds unusual, but it's an easy way to add calories without making the shake much bigger.

A good target

You don't necessarily need an enormous amount of protein. For people who regularly lift weights, Mayo Clinic cites roughly 1.2–1.7 g of protein per kg of body weight per day as a useful range.

For gaining muscle rather than mostly fat, pair the extra calories with resistance training. Extra protein by itself doesn't build muscle; training is an important part of the process.

A particularly good starting point is the banana + peanut butter + oats + whole milk + protein powder shake. Mayo Clinic has a similar high-calorie, high-protein smoothie that provides 608 calories and 32g protein per serving.

If you tell me your age, height, weight, and whether you lift weights, I can estimate how many calories/protein you should aim for and give you a shake recipe tailored to that target.