Weight Gainers do precisely what the name suggests- they help you gain weight. They are essentially a source of protein, carbohydrates, and a little bit of fat.
While mass gainers are mainly used by men who want to bulk up, many women can benefit from them just as much, if not more.
Skinny women often have trouble gaining weight, usually because of a combination of a fast metabolism, low appetite, and a small stomach. Mass gainers supplements are calories and nutrients in liquid form, which are easier and more convenient to consume than solid food and do not feel as filling.
This makes them a viable tool for any woman attempting to gain weight. This roundup review contains some of the best weight gainers for women, separated into several different categories, so each of you should find at least one that matches your goals, taste, and budget.
- Best Weight Gainer For Women: Crazy Nutrition Mass Gainer
- Best Budget Weight Gainer For Women: Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Pro Gainer
- Best Lactose-Free Weight Gainer For Women: REDCON1 MRE Whole Foods Meal Replacement
- Best Protein Bar For Female Weight Gain: Legion Protein Bar
- Cleanest Weight Gainer For Women: Transparent Labs Mass Gainer
- Best Vegan Weight Gainer For Women: Transparent Labs Vegan Mass Gainer
- Best RTD Weight Gainer For Women: Core Power Fairlife Elite
Best Weight Gainer For Women
Crazy Nutrition Mass Gainer
Pros
- Whole food carbohydrate sources provide a comprehensive list of micronutrients
- Excellent macronutrient breakdown, including high protein per calorie
- Digestive enzymes remove bloating and gas
Cons
- Quite expensive compared to other mass gainers
Price Per Serving
- $4.50 one-off purchase
- $3.15 subscription
===>Check Latest Crazy Nutrition Mass Gainer Deals<===
The issue with most mass gainers is their excessive use of low-cost sources, like maltodextrin, to boost the overall calorie content per serving. Maltodextrin is a quickly digestible simple carbohydrate. It's pretty much pure sugar without the sweetness.
Maltodextrin is useful in some cases. For instance, it can be an efficient and fast energy source to fuel a hard workout. Nevertheless, ingesting significant amounts of maltodextrin regularly to gain weight will not result in muscle gain and will only increase your overall caloric intake.
Crazy Nutrition's Mass Gainer serves its main purpose of providing calories for gaining mass, but it does it the right way. Here is the main list of ingredients:
- Gluten-free oat flower
- Pea starch.
- A blend of whey protein isolate and whey protein concentrate.
- Sweet potato flour
- Creatine monohydrate.
- Flaxseed powder
As you see, all carbs originate from natural food sources. Therefore, this weight gainer has minimal amounts of sugar.
Because the carbohydrates come from natural food sources, you will acquire the vitamins and minerals in oats, peas, and sweet potatoes. In addition, the flaxseed powder contains omega-3 lipids.
The presence of digestive enzymes in this product distinguishes it from other products in the same category. It prevents bloating and gas, which are common side effects for mass gainers.
The supplement also contains creatine monohydrate, so there is no need to buy a creatine supplement separately since you will be drinking the weight gainer daily anyway.
This serving size provides more than a third of a slim woman's daily protein intake, making it something she can sip on all day. It comes in two delicious flavors: chocolate and vanilla.
For women, 500 calories per serving may be too high, so I often recommend taking ½ a serving, which still provides 20 g of protein and 27 g of carbs, comparable to a typical small and well-balanced meal.
All of these make the Crazy Nutrition Mass Gainer the best option for ladies who want to gain weight the smart way.
===>Check Latest Crazy Nutrition Mass Gainer Deals<===
Best Budget Weight Gainer For Women
Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Pro Gainer
Pros
- The highest protein dose on the list
- ½ dose provides perfect nutritional value for a woman, and the price is great
- Informed choice marks is a high standard third-party testing guarantee
- High in vitamins and mineral
Cons
- Only maltodextrin is used as a carb source
Price Per Serving
- $3.93 one-off purchase
- $1.96 for ½ dose
===>Check Latest Optimum Nutrition Pro Gainer Deals<===
Optimum Nutrition is an established brand that offers high-quality supplements.
While not made from whole foods like Crazy Nutrition, the Gold Standard Pro Gainer is worth taking, especially if you aim for maximal protein intake. This gainer contains 60 g of protein per serving, which is the highest dose of any product on the list.
The Gold Standard Pro Gainer also contains 29 vitamins and minerals, making it a comprehensive supplement with multiple benefits.
The lengthy ingredient list should not concern you since the Gold Standard Pro Gainer has been third-party tested for banned substances and contaminants and bears the Informed Choice mark.
The downside of this product is that it does not use whole foods as carbohydrate sources, only maltodextrin. But this is the case with almost all weight gainers, so it's unsurprising.
It is not the most economical choice, costing $3.93 per serving, but it is less expensive than Crazy Nutrition's and Transparent Labs' whole-food options.
There are cheaper bulk gainers on the market, but they include lower-quality ingredients and are heavy in artificial substances. I suggest going with tried-and-true goods like Optimum Nutrition, which should be affordable for most people.
Mass gainers are typically taken for much shorter periods than other supplements like whey protein, for example, so the investment for a couple of months is worth it.
Furthermore, the high protein and calorie content (60 g of protein for 650 calories) per serving allows women to simply consume half a serving and still go into surplus and get high-quality protein dosage.
Half a serving of Gold Standard Gainer contains 325 calories, 30 g protein, and 40 g carbohydrates, and it costs $2.00, which is a pretty great deal, in my opinion.
===>Check Latest Optimum Nutrition Pro Gainer Deals<===
Best Lactose-Free Weight Gainer For Women
Redcon1 MRE Whole Foods Meal Replacement
Pros
- A blend of animal and plant proteins without any dairy
- Carbohydrates are derived from whole foods
- Ideal protein-to-carbohydrate ratio
Cons
- A full serving may get you bloated
Price Per Serving
- $3.20 per serving
===>Check Latest REDCON1 Whole Foods Meal Replacement Deals<===
MRE Whole Food Meal Replacement is ideal if you want to cut back on dairy, are seeking an animal protein-based weight gain supplement, or are lactose intolerant.
Unlike most other mass gainers, which use milk-derived proteins, Redcon1 uses a blend of lactose-free animal and plant proteins:
- Beef protein.
- Pea protein.
- Brown rice protein.
- Chicken protein.
- Albumin of the egg
- Salmon Protein
Furthermore, the carbohydrates are also sourced from whole foods:
- Rolled oats.
- Dehydrated yams
- Dehydrated sweet potato
- Pea starch.
While it does not contain digestive enzymes like Crazy Nutrition, I haven’t experienced bloating or stomach discomfort. However, it is possible for a woman with a smaller and more sensitive stomach.
Half a serving contains around 260 calories and 24 g of protein, which should be sufficient to establish a caloric surplus and help muscle development with enough effort in the gym when combined with a full day of eating.
===>Check Latest REDCON1 Whole Foods Meal Replacement Deals<===
Best Protein Bar For Female Weight Gain
Legion Protein Bar
Pros
- All natural and organic ingredients
- High in protein and with 250 calories, it can be enough to go into a slight caloric surplus to gain weight
- Incredible taste
- Labdoor tested
Cons
- If you are bulking and eating a ton of food, a shake may be preferred to having to chew even more food.
Price Per Serving
- $3.33 per serving
===>Check Latest Legion Protein Bar Deals<===
Protein bars have long been practical and nutritious supplements to a well-planned diet. However, not all bars meet the macronutrient profile and source ingredient quality requirements to be classified as "healthy."
The Legion Protein bar stands out for its all-natural and organic ingredient list, making it ideal for health-conscious people. The bar contains no gluten, artificial flavors, or sweeteners.
The macro breakdown is impressive: 20 grams of protein and 29 grams of carbohydrates (four of which are sugar), for a total of 250 calories. A woman who wishes to grow muscle may benefit from eating one bar daily in addition to her regular diet.
The Legion Protein Bar is one of the best-tasting bars I've tried. It can be a wonderful afternoon treat rather than something you have to pass through just for the benefit of it.
Some people prefer protein bars as they are more convenient and are real food, unlike a shake, and the Legion bar is my favorite.
===>Check Latest Legion Protein Bar Deals<===
Cleanest Weight Gainer For Women
Transparent Labs Mass Gainer
Pros
- Grass-fed derived whey
- Carbs come from various whole-food sources
- Contains 3 g of creatine monohydrate, eliminating the need to supplement separately if you drink one serving daily
- Informed Choice marks guarantees the product is clean
Cons
- The most expensive product on the list
Price Per Serving
- $5.33 per serving
===>Check Latest Transparent Labs Mass Gainer Deals<===
Transparent Labs consistently deliver high-quality products, such as various proteins, creatine, pre-workout supplements, and muscle gainers.
Athletes often prefer Transparent Labs products, including the Mass Gainer, because they carry the Informed Choice label, indicating that each batch was tested for banned drugs and impurities.
This gainer's protein comes from grass-fed whey, which is superior to regular dairy. The carbohydrates come from organic tapioca, oats, and sweet potato, all of which include complex carbohydrates.
There are only two flavor options: chocolate or vanilla. Depending on the taste, each serving contains 51-53 grams of protein, 106-110 grams of carbohydrates, 4-6 grams of fiber, 12 grams of sugar, and around 730-750 calories.
One serving also contains 3 grams of creatine monohydrate. Creatine for women is a must.
The Transparent Labs Mass Gainer is expensive, costing $5.13 per serving, but considering the company's commitment to delivering all-natural, clean, and third-party-tested products, you get what you pay for.
Like most other mass gainers, I would advise women to take half a serving. 750 calories is far too many unless you replace full meals with a shake, while half a serving is just about right for gaining weight alongside a well-balanced diet.
===>Check Latest Transparent Labs Mass Gainer Deals<===
Best Vegan Weight Gainer For Women
Transparent Labs Vegan Mass Gainer
Pros
- Natural and whole food sources.
- 53 grams of pea protein per full serving is a lot.
- Complex carbohydrates profile.
- Creatine supplementation is crucial for vegans, and there are 3 g per serving
Cons
- Quite expensive
Price Per Serving
- $5.33 per serving
===>Check Latest Transparent Labs Vegan Mass Gainer Deals<===
Vegan diets can easily lead to a calorie surplus, but their macronutrient profile is often poor, making it challenging to consume enough high-quality protein.
Furthermore, the choice between vegan mass gainers on the supplement market is rather poor.
Fortunately for vegans, one of the best supplement companies, Transparent Labs, offers a great vegan mass gainer that ticks all the right boxes.
With 750 calories, 110 g of carbs, 53 protein (50 in vanilla), 9 g of fat, and 10 g of sugar, the numbers are roughly identical to the company's non-vegan bulk gainer.
The only protein source is pea protein isolate, and the carbs come from tapioca maltodextrin, oat flower, and sweet potato powder.
The product also contains 3 grams of creatine monohydrate, which is a vital supplement for all vegans because the amino acid occurs naturally exclusively in animal sources.
This vegan mass gainer has a well-balanced combination of plant-based proteins, carbs, and critical elements that promote muscle growth and weight gain without the use of animal products.
===>Check Latest Transparent Labs Vegan Mass Gainer Deals<===
Best RTD Weight Gainer For Women
Core Power Fairlife Elite
Pros
- 42 grams of protein for 230 calories is impressive
- Ready to drink means it is highly convenient
- Lactose-free
Cons
- Not enough calories to use as a proper meal replacement
Price Per Serving
- $4.14 per serving
===>Check Latest Fairlife Core Power Elite Deals<===
Buying a pre-made ready-to-drink shake is vastly more convenient if you are always on the go, instead of mixing powders and using a shaker. Not to mention, mass gainers are usually sold in huge buckets.
The downside of ready-to-drink shakes is usually the poor ingredients and macronutrient profile, but The Core Power Fairlife Elite stands out with its ultra-high protein content of 42 grams for only 230 calories.
This is more than one-third of a woman's daily protein intake, and the calories are nearly equivalent to a small meal, making it an ideal post-workout drink.
The protein comes from ultra-filtered, lactose-free milk. A single dosage provides all nine essential amino acids.
This product comes in convenient bottles and is ready to drink, making it the most convenient choice for females who do not have the time or desire to mix powder.
The negative is that it contains fewer carbohydrates and calories than other bulk gainers, and the low-calorie count is unlikely to deliver a serious gain of mass if you rely solely on this shake to get you into surplus.
This is more of a post-workout supplement, whereas dedicated mass gainers contain more calories and carbs that can be used as fuel during exercises.
However, the Core Power Fairlife Elite is ideal as a convenient protein source.
===>Check Latest Fairlife Core Power Elite Deals<===
How To Pick The Best Weight Gainer For Women
Ingredients
The best weight gainer supplements use natural whole food sources. This is healthier, less taxing on the gut, and nourishes the body with micronutrients. Lower-quality gainers rely solely on simple carbohydrates such as maltodextrin to increase calories.
If you want to use the mass gainer as a full meal replacement, having a variety of natural food ingredients is even more vital because you don't want to rely solely on simple sugars for carbohydrates.
Better products, such as Crazy Nutrition and Transparent Labs, use complex carbohydrates like oats and sweet potatoes.
Most mass gainers use whey protein as their primary protein source, which is great for muscle growth, but if you need a meal replacement, the Redcon1 MRE's diverse animal and plant protein sources are a better choice.
Vegans, on the other hand, can choose Transparent Labs with their pea protein.
Serving Size
When choosing a weight gainer, consider the serving size. Most gainers have between 300 and 750 calories per full serving. I often advise people, especially women, to consume half a serving for a mild calorie surplus.
The better mass gainers, like the ones on the list, have a high protein-to-carbohydrate ratio, and even half a serving provides ample protein.
If you are serious about gaining weight, you should track calories and macros at least for a short period of time. Calculate how many calories, protein, and carbs you need from the supplement and consume accordingly.
Many of the most popular mass gainers (none of which are included in this roundup) have enormous 300-gram powder servings containing more than 1000 calories.
As popular as they are, I suggest even men not to use them. They will merely flood you with simple carbs, which is unlikely to result in anything other than fat growth, not to mention how hard it is to drink them.
Macronutrient Breakdown
This is the most significant component of mass gainers. The great gainers have a carbohydrate-to-protein ratio of approximately 2:1, which is the ideal option. 3:1 also works if you want to gain weight quicker.
Some bulk gainers have a 5:1 ratio, which I find very bad. These gainers also come in enormous 1200-1300 calorie serving sizes, which for women is overkill, to say the least.
You can take only partial servings, but the protein amount drops too much.
Furthermore, eating five times as many carbohydrates as protein requires limiting your real food carbohydrate intake, resulting in reduced fiber and vitamin intake.
Weight gainers barely contain any fat, so your main concern is the ratio of calories and protein to carbs.
Third-Party Testing
Third-party testing assures all consumers, but it is particularly important for athletes who must pass frequent drug tests.
A few products on the list, like the Transparent Labs and Optimum Nutrition Gold standard gainers, have the Informed Choice tick, one of the best third-party testing marks.
Another trustworthy testing brand is Labdoor, found on the Legion Protein Bar.
Frequently Asked Weight Gainer For Women Questions
What Can I Take To Gain Weight Fast For Females?
You must be in a caloric surplus to gain weight, which means consuming more calories than you burn. One strategy to do this is to eat more food, while another is to use supplements such as mass gainers, protein bars, and shakes.
However, rapid weight growth is rarely a smart decision. If you are a slim woman looking to gain weight, you must do so gradually or risk gaining only fat.
The ideal rate of weight gain is between 0.3 and 0.6% of body weight every week on average.
Beyond calories, the most critical factor is to consume enough protein. Muscles are built from protein, so optimizing protein intake is crucial.
All products on this list have plenty of protein and are excellent choices for a proper increase in weight.
With that said, if you are really skinny and malnourished, gaining fat is also needed, so taking as many calories and carbs as possible can be a viable route to take.
Are Mass Gainers Safe For Females?
Mass gainers are calories and nutrients in powder form, so they are generally safe. High-quality gainers use natural and whole food sources and are considered healthy. Lower-quality products may contain contaminants, so ensure the supplement you buy is third-party tested.
The only side effects of weight gainers are bloating and gas due to the large serving sizes of the supplements.
Which Protein Is Best To Gain Weight For Women?
Whey protein has consistently been proven to promote muscle building more effectively than other protein sources. The same findings are observed when protein supplementation is compared to carbohydrate intake alone.
However, not everyone reacts well to dairy-based protein powders, so lactose-free alternatives are included on the list. Others who follow a vegan diet can look into Transparent Labs' vegan option.
For a full meal replacement, you might choose the Redcon1 because it uses a complete blend of protein sources.
Summary
The Crazy Nutrition mass gainer tops our list of the best weight gainers for women since it is made from natural foods, has an excellent macronutrient breakdown, and is competitively priced.
Redcon1 provides a lactose-free gainer, while Transparent Labs offers a high-protein and vegan version of its ultra-clean supplement.
The Legion Protein Bar and Core Power Fairlife Shake are ready-to-eat solutions for ladies who value convenience.
===>Check Latest Crazy Nutrition Mass Gainer Deals<===
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