The 5 Best High Calorie Protein Powders for Weight Gain
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Protein powder supplements are concentrated sources of protein.
They are usually derived from milk in the form of whey or casein, but they may also come from other animal-based or plant-based sources.
Because most of the calories in protein powder supplements come from protein, they are generally low in calories, with most containing around 150 calories per serving.
So while they’re still a source of calories, they’re not always the best choice for gaining weight, especially compared with weight gainer supplements, which contain a significant amount of calories from protein and carbs.
However, there are higher-calorie protein powders that can still be good for weight gain.
This article lists the top five high calorie protein powders for weight gain, with each containing at least 200 calories per serving.
1. Muscle Milk Genuine Protein Powder
Muscle Milk Genuine is Muscle Milk’s flagship protein powder.
Each serving provides 280 calories and 32 grams of protein from milk protein, as the Muscle Milk brand name would suggest.
Muscle Milk Genuine contains the most calories of all the products on this list, making it a great choice for weight gain.
Each serving also provides more than 20% of the daily value (DV) for vitamins A, D, and C, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium.
It’s available in a variety of familiar flavors, including Chocolate, Vanilla, and Strawberry, and in a 2.5- or 5-pound tub size.
Each batch of Muscle Milk Genuine is third-party tested to ensure it contains the ingredients in the amounts listed on the label without impurities.
Nutrition breakdown:
- Calories: 280
- Protein: 32 grams
- Carbs: 21 grams
- Fat: 9 grams
2. Body Fortress Super Advanced Whey Protein
Body Fortress is a brand known for its affordable sports nutrition products, a popular one being its Super Advanced Whey Protein formula.
Each serving provides 200 calories and 30 grams of whey protein.
It also provides ingredients that support exercise performance and recovery, including creatine, taurine, and glutamine.
Body Fortress Super Advanced comes in a variety of flavors, including Chocolate, Vanilla, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Banana, and Cinnamon Swirl, and comes in a 2- or 5-pound tub size.
It’s also third-party tested to ensure potency, purity, and quality.
Nutrition breakdown:
- Calories: 200
- Protein: 30 grams
- Carbs: 8 grams
- Fat: 4 grams
3. BSN Syntha-6 Protein Powder
BSN is a brand of sports nutrition products known for its use of translucent red packaging.
Syntha-6 is their premier protein product that provides 200 calories per serving and 22 grams of protein from six types, including milk and egg.
The self-proclaimed “best-tasting protein on the market” is available in seven different flavors and three sizes containing 28, 48, or 97 servings.
Although BSN has been a trusted name in sports nutrition since its inception in 2001, it’s unclear whether BSN Syntha-6 is third-party tested.
Nutrition breakdown:
- Calories: 200
- Protein: 22 grams
- Carbs: 15 grams
- Fat: 6 grams
4. MET-Rx Metamyosyn Protein Plus
MET-Rx is a sports nutrition company known for its tasty high-calorie bars, which are also great for weight gain.
MET-Rx also makes a protein powder called Metamyosyn Protein Plus, which like BSN Syntha-6, contains a blend of milk and egg protein.
Each 2-scoop serving provides 210 calories and 43 grams of protein, more protein than the other protein powders on this list.
With just two flavors — chocolate and vanilla — and one 2-pound size option, MET-Rx Metamyosyn has fewer flavor and size offerings compared with the other protein powders on this list.
It’s unknown whether MET-Rx Metamyosyn is third-party tested.
Nutrition breakdown:
- Calories: 210
- Protein: 43 grams
- Carbs: 3 grams
- Fat: 1 gram
5. Orgain Sport Plant-Based Protein
Orgain Sport Plant-Based Protein is a vegan alternative to animal-based protein powders.
Each serving provides 200 calories and 30 grams of protein from peas, rice, and chia seeds.
It’s also hypoallergenic, containing no soy or gluten. It is also an excellent source of iron, providing 50% of the DV.
Orgain Sport Plant-Based Protein contains a blend of extracts from organic fruits and vegetables such as spinach, raspberries, bananas, and berries.
It comes in chocolate or vanilla and 1.3- or 2-pound tubs.
There isn’t any evidence to suggest that Orgain Sports Plant-Based Protein is third-party tested for quality assurance.
Nutrition breakdown:
- Calories: 200
- Protein: 30 grams
- Carbs: 15 grams
- Fat: 6 grams
Find Orgain Sport Plant-Based Protein on Amazon.
Protein powder nutrition comparison
Here’s a calorie and nutrition comparison of the five best high-calorie protein powders for weight gain:
| Protein Powder | Calories | Protein (Grams) | Carbs (Grams | Fat (Grams) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muscle Milk Genuine | 280 | 32 | 21 | 9 |
| Body Fortress Super Advanced | 200 | 30 | 8 | 4 |
| BSN Syntha-6 | 200 | 22 | 15 | 6 |
| MET-Rx Metamyosin | 210 | 43 | 3 | 1 |
| Orgain Sport Plant-Based | 200 | 30 | 15 | 6 |
Protein powders, including the ones on this list, generally last two years, and potentially longer, if stored properly.
Many of the protein powders on the list are also EBT-eligible.
Tips for increasing your calories
Along with incorporating protein powders into your diet, here are some other tips for increasing your calories to promote weight gain:
- Make high-calorie shakes. Blend protein powder with ingredients like whole-fat milk, Greek yogurt, fruit, oats, and peanut butter to make a high-calorie shake.
- Snack more. Separate your high-calorie meals with high-calorie snacks like full-fat cottage cheese or Greek yogurt, high-protein trail mix, and protein bars.
- Eat more fat. Increase the fat in your diet by choosing fattier cuts of meats and whole-fat dairy products instead of their leaner counterparts and eating more healthy sources of fat such as avocado, eggs, nuts, and olive oil.
- Fortify your diet. Where appropriate, add high-calorie foods to foods you already enjoy eating. For example, mix peanut butter in your oatmeal, add cheese to sandwiches, soups, and pasta, or melt butter over potatoes and rice or add it to soups and casseroles.
- Drink your calories. If you struggle with a poor appetite, try drinking more of your calories since calories in liquid form tend to be less filling than calories from solid foods. Pre-mixed nutrition shakes like Ensure can be a convenient way to increase your calories and promote weight gain (1).
While not everyone may be able to due to physical limitations or a health condition, aim to incorporate some resistance training so that most of your weight gain comes from gains in muscle rather than fat.
The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommend performing muscle-strengthening exercises for 60 minutes at least twice per week (2).
Choose exercises that work all the major muscle groups, including the arms, shoulders, chest, back, core, and legs.
The bottom line
The protein powders on this list contain more calories per serving than most other protein powders, making them a good choice if you’re trying to gain weight.
They each provide at least 200 calories and 20 grams of protein per serving.
Some other ways to increase your calories and promote weight gain include, making high-calorie shakes, snacking more, eating more fat, fortifying your diet, and drinking more of your calories.
If you want more variety, take a look at these other weight gain supplements.
