What is the Best Plant-Based Weight Gainer Supplement? Top Vegan & Vegetarian Mass Gainer for 2020
While it’s difficult in general to support the growth of your muscles and ensure that you’re maintaining muscle mass as you’re also eating very healthy, gaining and maintaining weight is especially difficult for vegans. No matter how much plant-based food they eat, vegans can struggle with getting the most from their workouts due to their diet.
Luckily, there is an answer out there for this problem: many athletes and body builders take mass gainers. Mass gainers are liquids that are full of calories, protein, and essential nutrients that help you build muscle and maintain lean muscle mass. It’s much easier to get all the calories and protein you need by drinking them as an addition to your diet, rather than trying to get it simply through food–especially if you only eat plant-based foods rather than eating meat, which is the traditional means of getting protein and gaining muscle.
There are mass gainers out there that are completely vegan and contain wholesome ingredients that are all plant-based. Many people would like the convenience of a mass gainer or protein powder that also adheres to their strict diets; this way you don’t end up compromising anything for the sake of getting some gains. There are lots of great options out there for you.
Top 5 Vegan Mass Gainers
How Can Vegans Gain Weight?
There are lots of hurdles that people have to overcome in order to build their ideal physique, and vegans especially face difficulties. In order to gain weight and support your muscles, you need to get an adequate amount of plant-based protein. While it’s easy to simply focus on the protein, you also need to supplement yourself with essential nutrients that also build your muscles and make working out easier, such as vitamin B12 and amino acids. As long as a vegan is getting a well-rounded diet with plenty of these nutrients, and they’re training well and keeping to a great workout regimen, they can gain weight.
It’s important for vegans not to eat too little, and due to the nature of their diets, it’s unfortunately quite easy to do this. Many vegans struggle with eating too little and not getting the nutrients they need in general. By nature, plant-based foods tend to not have a lot of calories. Foods such as cheeses and meats are full of calories, as well as muscle-building nutrients.
Vegans are well known for eating light, healthy foods. However, if you would like to put on muscle mass, you need to make sure you’re in a caloric surplus–that you are putting more calories into your body than you are burning when you’re working out. This is the only way to gain weight and have the muscles you want. As a vegan, it can be difficult to achieve this.
This is when mass gainers come into play and can help you gain the weight you’d like. Mass gainers help you enter that calorie surplus and can easily replenish the calories you’ve just burned at the gym if you drink them when you’re done working out. Many vegan gainers are also full of the nutrients you need, like amino acids and protein. On top of supporting lean muscles and maintaining weight, gainers help you achieve general wellness and can fill some of the nutrient deficiencies you may suffer from as a vegan.
What Ingredients Do Vegan Mass Gainers Have?
Typically, a vegan mass gainer will comprise of a beverage that contains two or three key components for you:
- Protein. Everyone–vegans included–need an adequate amount of protein in their diets, as these are the building blocks of fibers within muscles. If you’re getting protein, you’ll be able to support the growth of new muscle tissue. For every kilogram of body weight, you’ll need about 2 grams of protein in order to maximize muscle growth. Vegan weight gainers will provide you with plant-based protein so you can continue to adhere to a diet that’s free from animal products.
- Carbohydrates. Vegan mass gainers will provide lots of carbs, which in turn provide the energy you need while you’re working intensely in the gym. This’ll give you more gains in the end and support you with lots of calories, which helps you have a caloric surplus once you’re done working out to build muscles. If you’re worried about a high amount of carbs, you can look for gainers that have a low amount of carbs and which support your specific diet.
- Healthy fats. Many mass gainers have lots of healthy fats, which boost your total calories and support the healthy function of your hormones. Some of these hormones help to increase rates of muscle growth, so these fats will help you get gains as an important aspect of your post-workout shake.
What’s the Best Way to Take a Vegetarian Mass Gainer?
If you’re wondering when the best timing is to consume a mass gainer–before or after a workout–the answer is that in general, drinking your gainer after working out is the best choice. The reason for this is that your muscles can get tired and sore when you’re done working out, and they need a boost of energy in the form of protein isolate and other nutrients in order to repair and grow during this period of time.
Many people have discovered that taking a mass gainer after working out helps them feel less sore and fatigued the next day, no matter how intense their workout was. Gainers provide your muscles with all the nutrients they need to grow and be strong after every gym session.
Going off of this, how long you should wait after your workout to take your mass gainer? Generally, people drink their gainer within a half an hour to an hour when they’re done working out. You shouldn’t take it immediately, to give your body time to cool down, but you don’t want to wait too long either, otherwise the gainer won’t be as effective. Typically, people avoid taking mass gainers too close to their bedtimes. Gainers will not cause sleep problems, but it’s best to let your gainer get to work while you’re still moving and active for the rest of the day. This is especially true if you take a mass gainer that contains a high amount of calories and sugars, so your body can burn off some of that rather than storing it while you sleep.
Everyone is a little bit different; try experimenting to discover the best time to take a mass gainer for yourself. Some people have also questioned whether it’s worth buying commercially made mass gainers, or if they should just make it themselves. It is definitely possible to make your own mass gainer at home, and some vegans choose this option to ensure that their shake is definitely plant-based. However, it’s easy to invest in vegan mass gainer products that have pure, clean ingredients and provide you with all the nutrients you need to build lean and healthy muscles. Many of these products have everything you need, and can make your life a little easier, especially if you’re very busy.
Best Vegan Mass Gainer List
① IronVegan Athlete’s Gainer Chocolate Protein Powder
This gainer from IronVegan provides you with an impressive 42 grams of tasty chocolate-flavored protein that’s completely free of GMOs and completely plant-based. You get a great carbohydrate to protein ratio that’s 2.85:1; at a little more than 700 calories, the gainer offers up just one gram of sugar, so you meet the macronutrient goals you need to gain muscle and weight. The powder also contains 12 grams of fiber per serving, so it’s absorbed easily and is easy on your digestive system. It’s great for anyone who wants to bulk up using a vegan product, and is affordable, tasty, and effective.
This plant-based, protein-packed powder is a true weight gainer. It’ll help any vegan reach their health and wellness goals and has been tested for banned substances, so you know you’re simply getting clean and pure aid, without any fillers or unnatural ingredients that you wouldn’t want in your body. It features an excellent blend of sea vegetables, whole grains, organic brown rice protein, and pea protein. All ingredients are vegan and come together to provide an effective supplement for you to recover more quickly after your workouts and maintain lean muscles. Simply add two scoops to your favorite smoothie or milk for a pre-workout shake.
Pros
- Contains an impressive 42 grams of protein per serving
- Provides well-balanced nutrition with a great ratio of carbs to protein
- Features vegan, all natural, clean ingredients
Cons
- Contains a relatively high amount of fat
- Powder does not mix well and tends to clump up
② GNC Earth Genius PurEdge Plant-Based Gainer
This Earth Genius gainer from GNC is completely plant based and free of any GMOs or gluten. You’ll get an astounding 50 grams of vegan protein from each serving that will fuel your performance, power, and gains you get for your muscles. At just over 550 calories, it also offers 8 grams of BCAAs and betapower, which are essential nutrients to support lean muscles and help prevent soreness and fatigue as you recover better from your workouts. In addition, you’ll get 70 grams of carbs from ancient grains and 8 grams of fiber, which both help to keep you feeling full and make the protein powder easy on your digestive system.
The formula features beet root, which provides betapower and has been clinically studied and proven to enhance athletic performance; you’ll find that the power behind your workouts is more supported than ever before. It also includes digestive enzymes from papaya and pineapple to support a healthy digestive system. Ingredients include a plant-based protein blend, carb blend, fat blend from chia seed meal, flaxseed powder, and sunflower oil, cinnamon bark extract, and magnesium bisglycinate chelate. There are no artificial sweeteners, as it includes monk fruit extract and stevia extract. Simply add two to four scoops of the powder to 12-24 ounces of water and mix well to get great gains.
Pros
- Offers 50 grams of protein
- Contains BCAAs and betapower, which aid in muscle recovery and support powerful workouts
- Free of any artificial sweeteners
Cons
- High in fat content for many users
- Many users disliked the taste
③ ProMix Nutrition Vegan Protein Powder
ProMix Nutrition’s protein powder is completely vegan and free from GMOs, gluten, or dairy, as it offers up the essential vitamin B12 to support your gains and muscles. You can use this powder to build lean muscle, as well as improve your endurance and performance during training. The protein complex is made from organic sprouted brown rice and organic canadian peas. You’ll also get all nine essential amino acids, which are the building blocks of muscles and will aid in your gains. With 25 grams of protein, 3 grams of fiber, and 5.3 grams of BCAAs within each serving, you can burn fat and gain muscle while you support your overall wellness with ProMix Nutrition.
This protein powder is simply made from just three clean, pure ingredients: vitamin B12, organic rice protein, and organic pea protein. It’s low in carbs and completely free of any artificial sweeteners or flavors. It aims to blend smoothly, taste great, and complement other shakes or supplements that you’re taking for your workouts. Blend two scoops with smoothies, water, or your favorite milk for a great post-workout drink that you’ll look forward to drinking. It meets high quality standards and has been tested by third parties so you’re only provided with complete, pure protein that is organic, vegan, and helps you to repair and build lean muscle as you support your athletic recovery and performance.
Pros
- Made from three simple ingredients
- Tested by third parties
- Provides essential vitamin B12 and all nine essential amino acids
Cons
- Does not offer as much protein per serving as many other muscle gainers
- Pea/vegetable flavor is very strong to the point of being overpowering to some users
④ SAN Nutrition RawFusion Plant Based Protein Powder
SAN Nutrition’s RawFusion protein powder gives you 21 grams of protein per serving in a tasty vanilla bean flavor that features a protein matrix that is 100% raw and vegan. With all natural ingredients that include absolutely no artificial sweeteners or flavors, the powder is also completely free of animal-derived protein, soy, or dairy, so vegans can rest assured taking it to aid with their gains. It aids in both muscle tissue maintenance and repair and functions as a delicious, raw, plant protein supplement that’s among the best protein powders, and represents a new generation of protein that people can take without making any sacrifices.
RawFusion also offers a unique amino acid protein profile that’s essential for many vegans through a mix of artichoke protein concentrate, sprouted brown rice protein, and pea protein isolate. It also has a sunflower oil matrix, which provides your body with essential fatty acids for a fully balanced source of protein. Raw ingredients make it a superfood protein and is perfect for both vegans who would like to have more gains, or an athlete who needs a non-GMO, raw protein powder. If you’re interested in premium ingredients and a powerful performance, RawFusion is the plant protein for you. Just add one scoop to 8 ounces of your favorite liquids, and blend. You can also use the powder for baking and with oatmeal.
Pros
- Provides a unique amino acid profile
- Features raw, premium ingredients that are great for vegan athletes
- Offers 21 grams of protein per serving
Cons
- Is created in a facility that also processes milk, tree nuts, peanuts, soy, shellfish, and egg; is not safe for people who have allergies
- Does contain Xylitol, a sugar alcohol
⑤ Vegun Nutrition, LLC VEGANMASS Gainer
With a unique Chocolate Fudge Cake flavor, this gainer from Vegun Nutrition is a powerhouse. At just 360 calories per serving (among the fewest calories on the list), it offers an impressive 40 grams of protein from a powerhouse plant protein blend, as well as 40 grams of carbs from a performance carbohydrate blend. It aims to be the base for a full meal replacement shake without any artificial sweeteners, colors, or flavors. On top of the carb blend and protein blend, it also offers a digestive enzyme blend so your digestive health is supported, as well as a complete profile of all the essential amino acids your body needs, so your muscles are healthy and powerful.
Overall, this premium gainer is a powerhouse of nutrients and aims to be a lean, plant-based gainer that overcomes traditional nutritional barriers as it helps to fill the deficiencies that typically come once someone adapts a vegan diet. It features a 1:1 ratio of carbohydrates to plant-based protein, so you can gain all the lean muscle mass you’d like without risking an increase in overall body fat on top of it–making this the perfect addition to a vegan’s supplement regimen. On top of all this, Veganmass features coconut water that has been certified organic to help you keep dehydration at bay while you work out, and restore a PH balance that is completely natural to your body. Whether you need to gain muscle mass or need something that functions as a meal replacement, this gainer is your solution.
Pros
- Functions as a full meal replacement shake
- 40 grams of protein with digestive enzymes and amino acids
- Contains coconut water to hydrate your body and restore a natural PH balance
Cons
- Many users disliked the taste and had to mix it with many other things to make it palatable
- Is not certified to be organic and free of gluten and GMOs like many other gainers
⑥ Nutiva Organic, Cold-Processed Hemp Seed Protein
This gainer from Nutiva features hemp seed protein that’s completely cold pressed and organic, as well as sustainably farmed and completely free of GMOs. A purchase gives you three pounds of this nutrient-dense powder that’s a sustainable source of protein as well as edestin, fatty acids, and amino acids. A single serving provides you with 15 grams of organic, raw protein and 8 grams of fiber (which is a third of your recommended daily value). On top of this, Nutiva gives you a great source of antioxidants and Omega-3 fats, which are a perfect supplementation to any vegan or raw, whole food diet.
Nutiva also utilizes an all natural cold press extraction process, which lends to a clean protein that provides you with all the nutrients and macros you need without any need for heat, hexane, or harmful chemicals. The company also has a commitment to quality and partners with Canadian natural farmers for organic, sustainably grown, non-GMO hemp seeds that adhere to guidelines and is USDA organic certified. This way, you know that the gains you’re getting are not only good for you, but also good for the planet. The packaging for the protein is even BPA free and safe, as well as convenient. Available in Chocolate and Vanilla flavors as well as Shake Mix, Regular, and Hi Fiber varieties, vegans are guaranteed to get high quality plant protein on top of essential fatty acids and BCAAs.
Pros
- Helps to reignite your energy with raw, organic hemp protein
- Provides omega-3 fats, antioxidants, and BCAAs for complete wellness
- Features sustainably grown, organic hemp that’s good for you and the planet
Cons
- Contains a low amount of protein
- Can cause nausea, stomach pain, and constipation
Conclusion & What is the Best Vegan Mass Gainer
Mass gainers help people build the lean muscles they would like and help you ensure that you’re in a caloric surplus so you can gain weight and have more gains from your intense workouts at the gym. Vegans especially can have a hard time gaining or maintaining weight, as plant-based foods tend to be low in calories. Luckily, there are vegan mass gainers out there that feature muscle-building nutrients and provide plant-based carbs and protein, so vegans can get just as much gains as anyone else. Take a look at the top six vegan mass gainers outlined above to get a head start on picking out the perfect mass gainer for your lifestyle. Our top pick is the IronVegan Athlete’s Gainer (CHECK BEST PRICE HERE).
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