The 4 Best Vegan Mass Gainers of 2024

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If you want to gain weight and build muscle on a vegan diet, a vegan mass gainer supplement could be just what you're looking for. Mass gainers offer a convenient way to increase your total calories and protein intake, providing the fuel your body needs for muscle growth and recovery.

In this article, we'll explore five of the best vegan mass gainers available, diving into their benefits, key ingredients, calorie and macronutrient profiles and how to choose the best one to suit your needs. Whether you’re an athlete, bodybuilder, or simply looking to enhance your physique, read on to discover the power of vegan mass gainer supplements and how they can help you achieve your fitness and nutrition goals while following a plant-based diet.

This content is meant to be informative, but should not be taken as medical advice. It is not intended for use as diagnosis, prevention or treatment of health problems. Always speak with your doctor before starting any new supplement or exercise regimen.

Our Picks for Best Vegan Mass Gainer:

• Best Vegan Mass Gainer with Amino Acids: Naked Nutrition Naked Mass
• Best Meal Replacement Alternative: Ka’chava Whole Body Mea
• Best Vegan Mass Gainer for Building Lean Muscle: Iron Vegan Gainer Protein Powder
• Best Vegan Mass Gainer to Prevent Bloating: Gorilla Gulps Mocha Vegan Mass Gainer

Best Vegan Mass Gainer with Amino Acids: Naked Nutrition Naked Mass

Key features & specs

• Protein Type: Yellow pea protein and organic brown rice protein
• Protein per serving: 50 grams
• Nutrition facts: 1,230 calories, 50 grams protein, 248 grams carbohydrates, 24 grams sugar, 4 grams fat
• Flavors: Chocolate, Vanilla, Unflavored
• Dietary considerations: Vegan, dairy-free, certified gluten-free, non-GMO, soy-free
• Subscription: Monthly subscription, 20% savings
• Key ingredients: Organic tapioca maltodextrin, yellow pea protein, organic brown rice protein
• Sweeteners: Organic coconut sugar
• Price per serving: $5.91 ($4.73 with subscription)

Nutrition Naked produces dietary supplements that contain only the ingredients you require to support your fitness and health goals—and no unnecessary ingredients. As their motto states right on the front of their flavored vegan mass gainer, their supplement contains “only five premium ingredients with nothing to hide”. What this really means is that supplements from Naked Nutrition are always free from artificial ingredients such as sweeteners, flavors and colors as well never containing unnecessary preservatives or fillers. 

Naked Nutrition takes their transparency to the next level and provides sourcing information for their GMO-free peas (U.S. and Canada), as well as a complete amino acid profile for their organic rice and pea protein blend. This protein blend ensures Naked Mass has the necessary branched chain (BCAAs) and essential amino acids necessary to support optimal muscle growth and recovery.

Due to the massive four-scoop (315-gram) serving size, Naked Nutrition advises mixing the mass gainer with 24 ounces of non-dairy milk or water. While they do offer two flavor options, Chocolate and Vanilla, the flavors are muted, and the flavor definitely indicates the product is plant-based. It’s generally safe to say that you are purchasing this supplement for the health benefits, not the taste. If you do choose the unflavored mass gainer option, then I would definitely suggest the addition of fruits, vegetables, seeds and peanut butter to add some flavor.

What we like:

• 50 grams of plant-based protein per serving
• Complete amino acid profile with every serving
• Organic tapioca maltodextrin is a gluten-free complex carbohydrate
• Artificial ingredient, preservative and filler free formula

What to consider:

• Significantly more expensive than a traditional vegan protein powder supplement
• Contains tree nuts (coconut)
• Large four-scoop serving size

Best Meal Replacement Alternative: Ka’Chava Whole Body Meal

Key features & specs

• Protein Type: Plant-based protein blend (yellow pea protein, organic whole grain brown rice protein, organic sacha inchi, organic amaranth, organic quinoa)
• Protein per serving: 25 grams
• Nutrition facts: 240 calories, 25 grams protein, 25 grams carbohydrates, 7 grams sugar, 7 grams fat
• Flavors: Chocolate, Vanilla, Coconut Acai, Chai, Matcha
• Dietary considerations: Vegan, dairy-free, soy-free, gluten-free
• Subscription: Monthly subscription, $10 savings
• Key ingredients: Plant-based protein blend, omega essential fatty acid and fiber blend (organic pure whole grain oat, organic acacia gum, chia seeds, flax seeds), antioxidant super fruit blend
• Sweeteners: Monk fruit extract
• Price per serving: $4.66 ($3.99 with subscription)

Ka’Chava Whole Body Meal is a plant-based meal replacement powder that's made with over 85 unique ingredients. While this product can work as a mass gainer when consumed in addition to your regular diet, it’s intended to be a complete meal replacement shake due to its well-rounded assortment of essential nutrients. 

Whole Body Meal contains seven multi-ingredient blends, including a plant-based protein blend, vitamin and mineral blend, omega essential fatty acids and fiber blend, antioxidant and super-fruit blend, super-greens and vegetable blend, adaptogen blend, prebiotic and probiotic blend and a digestive enzyme blend. This combination of ingredients is reminiscent of other all inclusive health supplements such as Athletic Greens, containing ingredients you would be hard-pressed to find in a standard western diet.

Whole Body Meal comes in five flavors (the Vanilla flavor is a fan favorite), is vegan, dairy-free, soy-free, gluten-free and free of artificial ingredients. This product is also rated highly at 4.6/5 stars, with over 65,000 reviews on the Ka’Chava website at the time of writing. According to consumer reviews, Whole Body Meal is a healthy and nutritious breakfast option for many people, and they like that it mixes well without being chalky or gritty.

Some consumers did find that they felt bloated and gassy when initially using the powder, but this side effect usually subsided within a week or two and could be attributed to the shake increasing their dietary fiber and probiotic intake. A Ka'Chava Whole Body Meal is an excellent meal replacement or a way to add a few calories to your daily diet if you want something well-balanced and nutritious.

What we like:

• Includes fiber, essential fatty acids, antioxidant rich fruits and vegetables, an adaptogen blend, prebiotic and probiotic blend and a digestive enzyme blend
• Micronutrient rich formula that makes it an effective meal replacement supplement
• Free of artificial ingredients, fillers and preservatives
• 100% risk-free money-back guarantee

What to consider:

• Relatively low-calorie for a mass gainer supplement
• Contains tree nuts (coconut)

Best Vegan Mass Gainer for Building Lean Muscle: Iron Vegan Gainer Protein Powder

Key features & specs

• Protein Type: Fermented pea protein isolate, organic sprouted brown rice protein concentrate
• Protein per serving: 42 grams
• Nutrition facts: 720 calories, 42 grams protein, 120 grams carbohydrates, 1 gram sugar, 8 grams fat
• Flavors: Chocolate, Vanilla
• Dietary considerations: Vegan, non-GMO, gluten-free, Informed Sport-certified
• Subscription: N/A
• Key ingredients: Pea starch, fermented pea protein isolate, organic sprouted brown rice protein concentrate, brown rice flour, modified coconut oil, inulin, organic spirulina, organic kale, organic spinach, organic coconut oil and more
• Sweeteners: Organic stevia leaf extract
• Price per serving: $4.46

Iron Vegan’s Gainer Protein Powder is our choice for the best mass gainer supplement for building lean muscle. While this product does contain a significant amount of calories—720 per serving—this supplement does have a great macronutrient profile for promoting muscle growth. Offering consumers 42 grams of protein, 120 grams of carbohydrates and eight grams of fat, this product also provides a number of additional benefits including 13 grams of fiber and micronutrients from organic fruits and veggies.

Iron Vegan’s commitment to producing quality supplements is also top-tier. Their Gainer Protein Powder is certified vegan, GMO-free, gluten-free and has been third-party tested and certified by Informed Sport. Informed Sport uses a world-renowned sports doping control testing lab to ensure sports supplements are banned substance free and safe for use. If you’re a plant-based athlete looking to build some high-quality muscle mass, take a closer look at Iron Vegan's Gainer.

What we like:

• Informed Sport certified banned-substance free
• Contains only one gram of sugar per serving
• Combination of pea and brown rice protein to ensure a complete amino acid profile
• 13 grams of dietary fiber per serving

What to consider:

• Only two flavor options available
• According to customer reviews, it doesn’t mix easily in a conventional shaker bottle (blender suggested for smooth consistency)

Best Vegan Mass Gainer that Prevents Bloating: Gorilla Gulps Mocha Vegan Mass Gainer

Key features & specs

• Protein Type: Pea protein isolate, rice protein concentrate, hemp protein
• Protein per serving: 42 grams
• Nutrition facts: 530 calories, 42 grams protein, 65 grams carbohydrates, 13 grams sugar, 13 grams fat
• Flavors: Chocolate, Mocha
• Dietary considerations: Vegan, non-GMO, gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free
• Subscription: Monthly subscription, 10% savings
• Key ingredients: Tapioca maltodextrin, pea protein isolate, virgin olive oil powder, organic banana powder, organic coconut milk powder, rice protein concentrate, hemp protein powder
• Sweeteners: Organic stevia leaf extract
• Price per serving: $4.00 ($3.60 with subscription)

Gorilla Gulps Vegan Mass Gainer is a plant-based mass gainer supplement that consists of a protein blend of 80 percent pea, 10 percent rice and 10 percent hemp protein. This protein blend helps to ensure every serving of mass gainer contains the essential amino acids and branched chain amino acids necessary to build muscle. 

For the carbohydrate source, Gorilla Gulps uses a combination of tapioca maltodextrin and organic banana powder. Tapioca maltodextrin is a complex carbohydrate that’s easily digested by natural enzymes in the body, and the organic banana powder is rich in indigestible carbs making it a potential whole-fruit prebiotic. This combination of ingredients, as well as being gluten and dairy-free, may help to reduce bloating in individuals that have experienced digestive issues with other mass gainer supplements. 

For optimal results, Gorilla Gulps recommends consuming a half serving pre-workout for energy and then another half serving post-workout to fuel recovery.

What we like:

• Gut-friendly formula
• Artificial ingredient free
• Available on Amazon
• Manufactured in a 100 percent solar powered facility

What to consider:

• Only two flavor options available
• Relatively new supplement company founded in 2021

What Is a Vegan Mass Gainer?

Vegan mass gainers are high-calorie dietary supplements without animal ingredients that are specifically designed to help vegans and plant-based eaters increase their daily caloric intake. Mass gainers are typically used by individuals who are looking to gain weight and build muscle, but struggle to consume enough calories to support their muscle building goals through food intake alone.

In addition to plant-based protein, vegan mass gainers usually include a combination of carbohydrates and healthy fats for additional calories. The carbohydrate content helps to provide the energy necessary to enhance your workouts as well as aiding post-workout recovery by replenishing the body’s muscle glycogen stores. Some vegan mass gainers also contain added fiber, digestive enzymes or even probiotics to support optimal digestion and nutrient absorption.

Vegan mass gainers are generally consumed as a shake by mixing the powder with water or a plant-based milk (oat, almond, cashew, etc.). You can also add additional calories by turning your shake into a smoothie through the addition of fruit, seeds and various nut butters. These shakes or smoothies can be taken as a pre-workout snack, post-workout recovery drink or as a meal replacement to supplement your daily caloric and nutrient needs. That being said, if your goal is to gain weight, then you would most likely want to utilize a mass gainer supplement in addition to your daily meals rather than as a meal replacement powder.

Related Post: 9 Best Vegan Meal Delivery Services

Vegan Mass Gainers vs. Whey Mass Gainers

A vegan mass gainer differs from a conventional whey-based mass gainer in that it's formulated without any animal-based ingredients. It typically contains plant-based protein sources such as pea, rice or soy instead of whey or casein, which are derived from milk. 

Vegan mass gainers are not only suitable for individuals who follow plant-based or vegan diets, but also individuals who have dairy allergies such as lactose intolerance.

While the nutrient profiles may differ slightly between vegan and whey-based mass gainers, they typically contain a similar number of calories since their primary purpose is to help individuals gain weight. It’s important to compare the nutrition facts labels of different products to determine which vegan mass gainer best aligns with your personal nutrition goals.

Precautions

Vegan mass gainers are generally well tolerated by the majority of healthy individuals, but there are potentially a few precautions to keep in mind before making a purchase. 

The first thing to consider is whether you’re allergic to any of the ingredients in a vegan mass gainer supplement. Some common allergens in plant-based mass gainers include soy, gluten, nuts and seeds. 

Another consideration is for individuals who experience digestive discomfort when consuming certain plant-based protein sources such as pea or soy protein. If you have a history of digestive issues with specific plant-based protein sources, it’s important to use a vegan mass gainer that uses alternative protein sources that are easily digestible for you. 

Lastly, remember that simply increasing your daily calorie intake won’t magically result in increased muscle mass. It’s important to use a mass gainer supplement in conjunction with a well designed workout program to prevent gaining a significant amount of excess body fat. If you follow these general precautions, then you shouldn’t experience any negative side effects from the use of a vegan mass gainer supplement.

How to Choose the Best Vegan Mass Gainer for You

Calorie and macronutrient profile

It’s important to review the total number of calories and macronutrient profile of a vegan mass gainer that you're considering purchasing. Look for a product that provides a balanced ratio of protein, carbohydrates and fats to support your specific health and fitness goals. In general, most mass gainer supplements contain a high protein content between 25 and 50 grams per serving, as well as 100 to 250 grams of carbohydrates and anywhere from 10 to 20 grams of fat.

Ingredients

Review the ingredient list to ensure it aligns with your personal dietary preferences. It’s generally best to consider products that are free from artificial sweeteners, colors, flavors and preservatives. The main reason for this is that although these artificial ingredients have been deemed safe in limited amounts, many haven’t been around long enough to gauge the true long-term effects. As new scientific data emerges, questions are arising surrounding artificial ingredients and whether they are truly safe for our health.

It’s also important to pay attention to the primary protein source in the mass gainer supplement. Look for high-quality plant-based protein sources such as pea, hemp or soy protein to ensure a complete amino acid profile necessary to support muscle growth and recovery.

Taste, texture and mixability

Personal preferences such as the flavor, texture and mixability play a key role in your overall satisfaction with a mass gainer supplement. It’s usually best to read consumer reviews focused on the taste of the product to find one you think you’ll enjoy.

Brand reputation

Research the supplement brand’s reputation and read online customer reviews to gauge the product’s quality, effectiveness and general customer satisfaction. Look for brands that are transparent about their sourcing, manufacturing process and whether they submit their products for third-party quality control testing.

Price

Compare the price points of different vegan mass gainer supplements, keeping in mind the serving size and number of servings per container. Consider the value you are getting for the price in terms of quality and quantity to make an informed decision about which product will best suit your budget.

Our Methodology: How We Chose the Best Vegan Mass Gainers

We chose our list of the best vegan mass gainer supplements by taking into account a number of important factors, including the quality and type of ingredients, the supplement brands' reputations, non-GMO and USDA organic certifications, as well as third-party testing. We also analyzed customer reviews for taste, texture and mixability, as well as compared the price point to the industry average. We do our best to ensure the supplements we recommend are of the highest quality and will actually help you achieve your health and fitness goals.

Vegan Mass Gainer FAQs

When is the best time to take a mass gainer?

The best time to take a mass gainer supplement can vary depending on your individual preferences, personal schedule and fitness goals. Many people choose to consume a mass gainer post workout to promote muscle recovery and replenish muscle glycogen stores. Others may prefer to consume a mass gainer shake in between meals, especially if they have difficulty consuming enough calories through their regular meals alone. 

Ultimately, the best time to take a mass gainer is when it works best for your schedule and suits your personal preferences. It’s important to note that the timing of when you take a mass gainer is not as critical as simply meeting your overall daily caloric and nutrient intake needs.

Who shouldn't use a mass gainer?

The purpose of mass gainers is to aid in the process of gaining weight and building muscle. Therefore, if your goal is weight loss or weight maintenance, then the use of a mass gainer supplement is unnecessary. Mass gainer supplements are also generally not recommended for children or adolescents, as their nutritional needs differ significantly from adults. It’s important to consult with a pediatrician or registered dietitian for appropriate nutritional supplement guidance for younger individuals.

Is it O.K. to drink vegan mass gainers every day?

Before incorporating a mass gainer supplement into your daily routine, you should consult a registered dietitian. That being said, consuming vegan mass gainers on a daily basis is completely acceptable for individuals based on their specific goals and dietary needs. In fact, if your primary goal is to gain weight, then drinking a daily vegan mass gainer shake will help to support your progress.

Do vegan mass gainers really work?

As long as you are using a mass gainer supplement to increase your daily caloric intake, then the extra calories will support weight gain. Where individuals can potentially inhibit their progress is if they use a mass gainer as a meal replacement supplement rather than an addition to their regular meals. If used as a meal replacement supplement, then you may not be consuming the calorie surplus necessary to put on weight and build muscle.

How do I get the best results from a vegan mass gainer?

In order to generate the best results from a vegan mass gainer you should consistently use the supplement in combination with a well-balanced diet and resistance training program. Performing strength training exercises will help to stimulate new muscle growth, while the extra calories from the mass gainer will promote overall recovery. It’s equally important to allow your body sufficient rest and recovery time between workouts to support optimal muscle growth and development.

Takeaway: Is Taking a Vegan Mass Gainer Worth It?

Vegan mass gainer supplements are a convenient and effective way to support muscle gain while following a plant-based diet plan. These supplements can be especially beneficial for individuals who are new to plant-based diets and may have difficulty consuming an adequate amount of protein and calories through food sources alone. We hope our list of the best vegan mass gainers on the market helps you make an informed decision regarding which product will best suit your needs. Just remember that a well-balanced diet, regular exercise and overall consistency are key to achieving the best results.