A 560-calorie shake and a 1,350-calorie shake require very different meal plans. If you already take creatine separately, or want a gainer without it, start with the ingredient list and the powder serving weight. A large number on the front can describe two servings rather than one.
Written by Tom Miller, CSCS. Updated: October 2026.
Short on time? Rival Clean Gainer Chocolate Fudge is our overall pick for a manageable 560-calorie portion with 30g protein. Pro Gainer supplies 60g protein at 650 calories; Naked Vegan Mass covers the dairy-free route. These exact formulas do not list added creatine. That does not make their calories, allergens or sweeteners interchangeable.
How We Chose
We compared mass-gainer formulas without creatine in the ingredient list, using powder-only calories, protein, serving weight, carbohydrate load, allergens and package commitment. Scores favor a useful calorie addition and clear portioning over the largest front-label number. We kept genuinely different formulas from the same brand: Naked’s dairy and vegan versions use different protein sources, while BSN True-Mass and True-Mass 1200 have different carbohydrate loads. We did not count flavors or bag sizes as separate picks. Creatine omission is an ingredient criterion, not a claim that a laboratory measured zero trace creatine or that the formula is better for everyone.
Our Verdict
Rival Clean Gainer Chocolate Fudge
The selected 560-calorie formula supplies 30g protein in a 149g powder portion, making calorie additions easier to plan than a full four-figure serving.
Best for: Lifters who want extra calories without added creatine
Check Price on AmazonOur Top Picks
Best Overall: Rival Clean Gainer
Rival Clean Gainer Chocolate Fudge 5lb
Best OverallThe selected Chocolate Fudge 5lb formula contains 560 calories and 30g protein per 149g serving, without listed creatine.
Pros
- 560 calories per 149g portion
- 30g protein and 99g carbohydrate
- Smaller calorie addition than the large gainers
Cons
- Contains milk and soy
- Selected formula includes sucralose and stevia
Rival’s selected 560-calorie Chocolate Fudge formula supplies 30g protein, 99g carbohydrate and 5g fat in 149g powder. About half that portion adds 280 calories and 15g protein before milk or other ingredients. That is a useful adjustment when a full gainer serving overshoots the gap in your diet.
Buy the 560-calorie listing linked here, not the separate 580-calorie naturally flavored version. Its ingredients and macros differ. Skip this if you avoid milk, soy or sucralose. Naked Vegan Mass handles the dairy exclusion; Pro Gainer gives you twice the protein in a full portion for 90 more calories. Rival makes most sense when calories and protein both need a modest increase.
Best High-Protein Portion: Optimum Nutrition Pro Gainer
Optimum Nutrition Pro Gainer Double Chocolate 10.19lb
Best High-Protein PortionA 10.19lb Double Chocolate gainer bag with 650 calories, 60g protein and 81g carbohydrate per 165g powder portion, before mixing.
Pros
- 60g protein per 165g serving
- 650 powder-only calories
- 28 servings in the selected bag
Cons
- Contains milk and soy
- Large upfront purchase
Pro Gainer’s 60g protein in 650 calories is the strongest protein-to-calorie ratio among these full portions. Its Double Chocolate panel lists 81g carbohydrate and 9g fat per 165g serving. The selected bag contains 28 servings and weighs 10.19lb, despite some listing titles rounding that to 10lb.
A measured half portion adds about 325 calories and 30g protein. Compare that with Rival’s full 560-calorie portion if protein is your main shortfall. Skip this if your meals already cover protein and you only want cheap carbohydrate calories. The whey-and-caseinate blend contains milk, and the ingredient list also declares soy. Do not confuse Pro Gainer with creatine-containing Serious Mass.
Best Short Ingredient List: Naked Mass
Naked Mass Unflavored 8lb
Best Short Ingredient ListAn 8lb unflavored gainer blend of tapioca maltodextrin, whey concentrate and micellar casein, with 11 full servings of 321g powder.
Pros
- Three ingredients
- 1,250 calories and 50g protein per full serving
- Unflavored for recipes
Cons
- 321g full powder portion
- Contains milk and is not lactose-free
Naked Mass combines organic tapioca maltodextrin, whey protein concentrate and micellar casein. Its full 321g portion contains 1,250 calories, 50g protein and 252g carbohydrate. The current panel lists 21g total sugar and zero added sugar; total sugar and added sugar are separate lines.
The 8lb tub holds only 11 full servings because the portions are large. A quarter portion works out to about 313 calories and 12.5g protein. Skip this if you want a low-carbohydrate shake or need to avoid milk. Naked Vegan Mass uses pea and rice instead. Unflavored also leaves the recipe to you, so count any milk, fruit or nut butter you add.
Best Vegan Formula: Naked Vegan Mass
Naked Vegan Mass Unflavored 8lb
Best Vegan FormulaAn unflavored vegan gainer with tapioca maltodextrin, pea protein and brown rice protein, supplying 1,230 calories per full serving.
Pros
- Pea and rice protein rather than dairy
- Three ingredients
- 50g protein per full portion
Cons
- 315g full powder portion
- 248g carbohydrate per serving
The vegan version replaces Naked Mass’s dairy proteins with yellow pea and organic brown rice protein. Its 315g portion contains 1,230 calories, 50g protein and 248g carbohydrate. A quarter portion adds about 308 calories and 12.5g protein before you choose a mixing liquid.
This is a different formula from regular Naked Mass, not another flavor of the same product. It suits buyers who need a dairy-free gainer, but the large carbohydrate load still requires planning. Skip this if you avoid pea protein or want a protein-focused drink with few added calories. Pro Gainer has more protein at roughly half the full-serving calories, but contains milk. Use water or a suitable plant drink to keep the vegan shake dairy-free.
Best Middle-Size Calorie Portion: BSN True-Mass
BSN True-Mass Chocolate Milkshake 16 Servings
Best Middle-Size PortionThe sixteen-serving Chocolate Milkshake tub supplies 690 calories, 47g protein and 87g carbohydrate per 165g powder serving, before adding milk.
Pros
- 690 calories and 47g protein
- 165g powder portion
- 16 servings in the selected tub
Cons
- Contains milk and soy
- 17g fat and 15g total sugar per serving
True-Mass’s Chocolate Milkshake panel gives you 690 calories and 47g protein in 165g powder. It sits between the 560-calorie gainers and the 1,200-plus-calorie formulas. The current ingredient list includes dairy proteins, polydextrose and a creamer blend, with milk and soy declared.
Its 17g fat per serving is higher than Rival’s 5g, so the extra calories do not come solely from more carbohydrate. Skip this if you want the leanest protein-to-calorie ratio or avoid artificial colors. Pro Gainer supplies 60g protein at 650 calories. Buy the 16-serving tub for this comparison: BSN’s True-Mass 1200 is a separate, much larger carbohydrate portion.
Best 1,200-Calorie Formula: BSN True-Mass 1200
BSN True-Mass 1200 Chocolate Milkshake 15 Servings
Best 1200-Calorie FormulaA fifteen-serving Chocolate Milkshake gainer bag with a 314g powder portion supplying 1,200 calories and 50g protein, distinct from regular True-Mass.
Pros
- 1,200 powder-only calories
- 50g protein and 215g carbohydrate
- 10g fiber per full portion
Cons
- 314g full serving
- Contains milk, soy and wheat
The 1200 version supplies 50g protein and 215g carbohydrate in 314g powder. Its panel lists 10g fiber and declares milk, soy and wheat. The oat-flour ingredient does not make it a gluten-free alternative.
Compared with ordinary True-Mass, the full portion adds 510 calories for only 3g more protein. That is useful context when you see two similarly named products. Skip this if your calorie gap is small or you have celiac disease. A measured quarter portion is about 300 calories and 12.5g protein, but a smaller gainer may make your routine simpler. Do not add milk and keep logging only the powder’s 1,200 calories.
Best Two-Scoop Portioning: Mutant Mass
Mutant Mass Triple Chocolate 5lb
Best Two-Scoop PortioningThe exact Triple Chocolate panel lists 550 calories and 28g protein per 140g portion, or 1,100 calories and 56g across two portions.
Pros
- 550 calories per labeled two-scoop portion
- 28g protein per portion
- About 16 portions in the 5lb bag
Cons
- 1,100-calorie headline describes two portions
- Contains milk and soy
Mutant’s Triple Chocolate panel separates one 140g, two-scoop portion from two portions. One supplies 550 calories, 28g protein and 102g carbohydrate; two supply 1,100 calories and 56g protein. The 5lb bag has about 16 of the smaller labeled portions, not sixteen 1,100-calorie shakes.
That makes its two-scoop portion a close macro comparison to Rival’s 560 calories and 30g protein. The ingredient list includes maltodextrin, multiple dairy proteins, seed-derived fats and added enzymes. Skip this if you avoid milk or soy, or assumed the large advertised number described one small shake. Use the exact flavor panel: the manufacturer’s broader promotional copy uses other serving conventions.
Best Disclosed Protein Blend: NutraBio Extreme Mass
NutraBio Extreme Mass Vanilla 6lb
Best Disclosed Protein BlendThe Vanilla formula supplies 650 calories and 53g protein per full 173g serving, with whey concentrate and micellar casein quantities disclosed.
Pros
- 53g protein per 173g portion
- 650 calories
- Protein-source quantities disclosed
Cons
- Contains milk and coconut ingredients
- Fortified formula can overlap other supplements
Extreme Mass discloses 47.7g whey protein concentrate and 19.8g micellar casein ingredients, supplying 37g and 16g protein respectively. Those protein contributions total 53g. Ingredient weight and protein grams are different numbers.
The full 173g portion contains 650 calories and 100g carbohydrate. NutraBio also prints a half-portion column at 320 calories and 26g protein, reflecting label rounding. Skip this if you avoid milk, coconut or a long vitamin-and-mineral list. Compare the fortification with your multivitamin before stacking both. Pro Gainer supplies 7g more protein at the same full-serving calorie total; NutraBio’s main advantage here is the detailed protein-source disclosure.
Best Very High Calorie Portion: MHP Up Your Mass XXXL 1350
MHP Up Your Mass XXXL 1350 Milk Chocolate 6lb
Best Very High Calorie PortionA six-scoop Milk Chocolate serving supplies 1,350 calories with water; adding the labeled whole-milk amount raises that to 1,800 calories.
Pros
- 1,350 calories with water
- 50g protein per full serving
- Eight full servings in the selected tub
Cons
- Six-scoop 347.5g serving
- 17g fat including 9g saturated fat
MHP’s full serving is six scoops, weighing 347.5g. With water, it supplies 1,350 calories, 50g protein and 253g carbohydrate. The separate column with 24fl oz whole milk lists 1,800 calories. Do not log the water column after making the milk version.
The selected 6lb tub contains eight full servings. For a smaller addition, one-third of the powder portion works out to about 450 calories and 16.7g protein. Skip this if you struggle with large drinks or want a small calorie surplus. Rival is much easier to portion around that need. Milk, soy and 9g saturated fat per full water-mixed serving are important drawbacks, regardless of the gainer’s high-calorie appeal.
Best Alternative 560-Calorie Formula: Rule1 Clean Gainer
Rule1 Clean Gainer Chocolate Fudge 15 Servings
Best 560-Calorie AlternativeThe fifteen-serving Chocolate Fudge Clean Gainer supplies 560 calories and 30g protein per 149g powder portion, without creatine listed among its ingredients.
Pros
- 560 calories per 149g portion
- 30g protein and 99g carbohydrate
- 15-serving purchase
Cons
- Contains milk and soy
- Different product from Rule1 Mass Gainer
Rule1 Clean Gainer’s Chocolate Fudge panel matches the selected Rival formula on the headline macros: 560 calories, 30g protein and 99g carbohydrate in 149g powder. It also lists 5g fat and 4g fiber. Compare the current delivered cost rather than assuming either brand has a permanent value advantage.
The ingredients include whey, casein and milk protein, along with sucralose and stevia. Skip this if you want a dairy-free or unsweetened formula. Also check the product name: Rule1 Clean Gainer is distinct from Rule1 Mass Gainer, whose formula can include creatine. Choosing a brand without checking the exact product would defeat the purpose of this list.
Comparison Table
| Product | Key Spec | Best For | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rival Clean Gainer Chocolate Fudge 5lb | 560 calories; 30g protein; 149g powder; 5lb | Best Overall | Check Price |
| Optimum Nutrition Pro Gainer Double Chocolate 10.19lb | 650 calories; 60g protein; 165g powder; 28 servings | Best High-Protein Portion | Check Price |
| Naked Mass Unflavored 8lb | 1,250 calories; 50g protein; 321g powder; 11 servings | Best Short Ingredient List | Check Price |
| Naked Vegan Mass Unflavored 8lb | 1,230 calories; 50g protein; 315g powder; vegan | Best Vegan Formula | Check Price |
| BSN True-Mass Chocolate Milkshake 16 Servings | 690 calories; 47g protein; 165g powder; 16 servings | Best Middle-Size Portion | Check Price |
| BSN True-Mass 1200 Chocolate Milkshake 15 Servings | 1,200 calories; 50g protein; 314g powder; 15 servings | Best 1200-Calorie Formula | Check Price |
| Mutant Mass Triple Chocolate 5lb | 550 calories; 28g protein; one 140g two-scoop portion | Best Two-Scoop Portioning | Check Price |
| NutraBio Extreme Mass Vanilla 6lb | 650 calories; 53g protein; 173g powder; Vanilla | Best Disclosed Protein Blend | Check Price |
| MHP Up Your Mass XXXL 1350 Milk Chocolate 6lb | 1,350 calories with water; 50g protein; six scoops / 347.5g | Best Very High Calorie Portion | Check Price |
| Rule1 Clean Gainer Chocolate Fudge 15 Servings | 560 calories; 30g protein; 149g powder; 15 servings | Best 560-Calorie Alternative | Check Price |
How to Choose a Gainer Without Added Creatine
Work Out the Calorie Gap
Record your normal meals before adding a full serving. A gainer helps when eating enough is difficult; it can also overshoot your needs. A half serving of Rival adds about 280 calories, while a full MHP portion adds 1,350. Use the TDEE calculator as a starting estimate, then adjust from your food intake, body-weight trend and training rather than treating the tub’s directions as a calorie prescription.
Read the Whole Ingredient List
Look for creatine monohydrate, creatine HCl and other named forms, including ingredients inside blends. Similar product names do not identify the same formula. Optimum Nutrition Pro Gainer and Serious Mass differ, as do Rule1 Clean Gainer and Mass Gainer. If a clinician has told you to avoid creatine, ask whether ingredient omission is sufficient for your situation. Do not treat these products as laboratory-certified zero-creatine foods.
Buy Protein and Calories in the Proportion You Need
A gainer with more calories need not contain more protein. Pro Gainer supplies 60g at 650 calories; True-Mass 1200 supplies 50g at 1,200. If your meals cover calories but miss protein, a regular powder from our whey protein guide may fit better. The ISSN protein position stand emphasizes adequate daily protein alongside exercise; it does not recommend the largest gainer serving.
Compare Powder-Only Values
Water adds no calories; milk, plant drinks and nut butter do. Keep a recipe’s total separate from the powder’s label. We also separate one labeled portion from two: Mutant’s 1,100-calorie figure doubles its 550-calorie portion. The FDA’s nutrition-label guide explains why serving size governs the rest of the panel. Weighing powder makes fractional portions more repeatable than guessing the height of a heaping scoop.
Keep Medical and Allergy Needs in View
Most picks here contain milk. BSN True-Mass 1200 also declares wheat, while Naked Vegan Mass contains pea and rice protein. Lactase or other digestive enzymes do not make a milk-containing gainer suitable for a milk allergy. Seek medical advice for unexplained weight loss, difficulty swallowing, diabetes, kidney disease or a prescribed diet. A gainer should not hide the reason eating enough has become difficult.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Gain Muscle Without Taking Creatine?
Yes. Progressive resistance training, enough energy and adequate protein are the foundations. Creatine is optional. Leaving it out of a gainer lets you choose whether to use it separately, but does not guarantee that the gainer will improve your results.
Can I Add Creatine Separately?
If creatine suits your health and goals, a separate product lets you keep its portion independent of how much gainer you drink. Our creatine guide covers that purchase. Avoid adding it to these shakes if your reason for choosing them is a medical instruction to avoid it.
Do I Need the Full Serving?
No. Match the amount to your planned calorie addition. Weigh a smaller powder portion and calculate its share of the full nutrition values. A one-third MHP serving or a half Rival serving can make more sense than a full high-calorie shake, depending on your meals.
Does No Added Sugar Mean Low Carbohydrate?
No. Naked Mass lists zero added sugar but 252g carbohydrate in a full serving. Maltodextrin still contributes carbohydrate and calories. Read total carbohydrate, serving weight and total sugar instead of judging the formula from one front-label phrase.
Are These Complete Meal Replacements?
Do not assume so. Formulas differ in fiber, fats and micronutrients, and a large calorie count does not create a balanced diet. Use gainers around regular meals. A dietitian can help if you rely on liquid nutrition because of a medical condition or persistent low appetite.
Bottom Line
Rival’s selected 560-calorie Clean Gainer is our overall pick for adding a manageable amount of calories and 30g protein without listed creatine. Pro Gainer suits a larger protein shortfall, while Naked Vegan Mass handles dairy exclusion. Start with the portion your meals leave missing. Our broader mass-gainer guide covers options when added creatine is not an exclusion.
Sources
- International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand: protein and exercise.
- FDA: How to understand and use the Nutrition Facts label.
