Table of Contents
As a lactose-intolerant person, picking the perfect mass gainer is easier said than done. You need to make sure that it does not contain any dairy or lactose that can trigger an upset stomach.
In this list, we make it so much easier for you to select the right lactose-free mass gainer to support your mass-building goals.
5 Best Lactose-Free Mass Gainers at A Glance:
- BEST OVERALL: GNC Earth Genius PurEdge Plant-Baised Gainer
- BEST FOR HARD GAINERS: Vegan Naked Mass
- BEST FOR HARDCORE LIFTERS: MuscleMeds Carnivor Mass
- BEST FOR PICKY TASTE BUDS: Muscle Milk Gainer
- BEST FOR ON-THE-GO INDIVIDUALS: Boost Nutritional Drink
Comparison Chart
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BEST OVERALL: GNC Earth Genius PurEdge Plant-Based Gainer
- Nutrition per serving:
570 calories
50g protein (pea protein, white bean powder, quinoa, brown rice, flaxseed, whole algal, chia seed)
70g carbohydrates
11g fat - Ingredients: Zucchini powder, Betain (as BETAPOWER® Betaine Anhydrous), elevATP (Ancient Peat & Apple Extract)
- Type: Powder
- Number of servings: 14
- Size: 4.48 LBS ( 2.030KG)
| WHAT WE LIKE + | WHAT WE DON’T LIKE – |
|---|---|
| ✅ Features 7 whole food plant-based proteins | ❌ Only available in 2 flavors (Natural Chocolate, Natural Vanilla) |
| ✅ Enhanced by BETAPOWER and elevATP that may help boost exercise performance | ❌ A little bit on the pricey side- Some users think that it tastes too sweet for their liking |
| ✅ Has pineapple and papaya enzymes to aid in digestion | |
| ✅ Specifically tailored for vegans |
GNC’s Earth Genius PurEdge Plant-Based Gainer shows itself as a well-rounded mass gainer for those who are trying to avoid lactose or dairy.
Aside from providing you with good amounts of calories, protein, and carbs, this mass gainer is made even more desirable by the addition of performance-boosting compounds and digestive aids.
Each serving (4 scoops) of Earth Genius PurEdge Plant-Based Gainer gives you a decent 570 calories.
You also get 70g of carbohydrates in the form of pea starch, sweet potato powder, and ModCarb – a patented form of complex carbs that helps ensure the sustained delivery of nutrients to your muscles.
Earth Genius PurEdge Plant-Based Gainer provides you with a nifty 50g of vegan protein, including 8g of BCAAs (Branched Chain Amino Acids).
Its plant-based protein blend brings together pea protein, white bean powder, quinoa, brown rice, flaxseed, whole algal protein, and chia seed. Together, these protein sources give you all 9 Essential Amino Acids that serve as building blocks for lean muscle tissue.
What sets Earth Genius PurEdge Plant-Based Gainer apart from other mass gainers is its Whole-Food-Based Vegan Performance Blend (zucchini powder, BETAPOWER betaine anhydrous, and elevATP). These compounds may help enhance athletic performance, speed up muscle recovery, and boost muscle strength during exercise – making it easier for you to hit your fitness targets.
While some people experience zero stomach issues when taking a mass gainer, some have trouble processing and digesting so many nutrients at once. Papain and bromelain – digestive enzymes from pineapple and papaya) – are added to the formula to help maximize nutrient digestion, absorption, and utilization.
Verdict
| Featuring a balanced blend of calories, protein, carbohydrates, and performance-boosting compounds, GNC’s Earth Genius PurEdge Plant-Based Gainer is a worthy mass-gaining supplement to add to your fitness program. With its papain and bromelain digestive enzyme blend, your stomach will probably have an easier time digesting this mass gainer shake. |
BEST FOR HARD GAINERS: Vegan Naked Mass
- Nutrition per serving:
1230 calories
50g protein (yellow pea protein, organic brown rice protein)
248g carbohydrates
4g fat - Type: Powder
- Ingredients: Organic Tapioca Maltodextrin, Pea Protein, Rice Protein
- Number of servings: 14
- Size: 8 LBS (3.63KG)
| WHAT WE LIKE + | WHAT WE DON’T LIKE – |
|---|---|
| ✅ Massive amount of calories, protein, and carbohydrates | ❌ Rather-limited flavor choices- Chocolate and Vanilla flavors have more than 50g of sugar per serving |
| ✅ Supplies all 9 Essential Amino Acids | |
| ✅ Specifically tailored for vegans |
If you are looking for serious, lactose-free mass-gaining nutrition, Vegan Naked Mass is up for the job.
Looking at the numbers, this vegan weight gainer looks more than ready to boost your daily caloric intake. Each serving supplies your body with a whopping 1230 calories – roughly the same amount you get with most dairy-based mass gainer supplements.
Vegan Naked Mass also packs a lot of protein per serving, giving you 50g of plant-based protein in each serving. This is quite impressive for a dairy-free mass gainer. It features a combination of yellow pea protein and brown rice protein, giving you all 9 Essential Amino Acids that are needed for lean muscle growth and recovery.
Vegan Naked Mass contains 252g of carbohydrates per serving. It uses organic maltodextrin, a complex carbohydrate that is absorbed in a slower rate. This makes Vegan Naked Mass a good mass gainer to take before bedtime or for those moments when you won’t be able to eat a full meal for a couple of hours.
The Chocolate and Vanilla variants have 52g and 54g of sugar (organic tapioca maltodextrin) per serving. If you are trying to minimize your sugar intake, you might want to go for the Unflavored version, which only has 24g of sugar per serving.
On its label, it says that you need 4 scoops to fix up 1 serving. There are some users, however, who say that you need more than just 4 scoops to get all 1230 calories in place.
Verdict
| On paper, Vegan Naked Mass looks well-built to support muscle growth and lean gains for vegans and lactose-intolerant people. With 1230 calories, 50g of protein, and 252g of complex carbohydrates per serving, this plant-based weight gain shake is no push-over. Just be mindful of its rather high sugar content for the Chocolate and Vanilla versions. |
BEST FOR HARDCORE LIFTERS: MuscleMeds Carnivor Mass
- Nutrition per serving:
710 calories
50g protein (hydrolyzed beef protein isolate)
125g carbohydrates
2g fat - Type: Powder
- Number of servings: 25
| WHAT WE LIKE + | WHAT WE DON’T LIKE – |
|---|---|
| ✅ Great source of muscle-building protein | ❌ Some users report it to be too frothy or hard to mix |
| ✅ Contains creatine monohydrate and Medium Chain Triglycerides | |
| ✅ Zero sugar | |
| ✅ Uses quick-digesting carbs for fast nutrient delivery | |
| ✅ Available in 4 flavors (Chocolate Fudge, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Strawberry, Vanilla Caramel) |
If you are on the lookout for a mass gainer that can also support exercise performance, Carnivor Mass by MuscleMeds can help.
Each serving of Carnivor Mass delivers a decent 720 calories per serving – and it does so without loading up your body with too much fat or sugar. It is marketed to have zero sugar content, which sounds good if you are trying to watch your sugar intake. Each serving has 3g of fat, which is also a bit lower than what most mass gainers have (around 4g to 7g).
Unlike typical mass gainers that rely on dairy for their protein content, Carnivor Mass uses hydrolyzed beef protein isolate. Just like whey protein, beef protein isolate supplies your body with all the Essential Amino Acids required for building and repairing lean muscle tissue. Each serving delivers 50g of beef protein isolate, which is impressive for a weight gain shake.
Carnivor Mass bets on High-Speed Macronutrient Delivery and Properly-Timed Insulin Optimization for speeding up protein and glycogen synthesis. Each serving has 125g of carbohydrates in the form of microparticulated maltodextrin and microparticulated waxy maize. These are supposed to be quickly absorbed and digested by the body, making way for faster muscle gains.
Carnivor Mass takes it a step further by adding 5g of creatine monohydrate to its formula. Creatine monohydrate may help buffer the buildup of lactic acid while you work out, allowing you to complete more reps and lift heavier weights for longer periods. Creatine also drives more water to your muscle cells, making your muscles appear larger and more volumized.
The serving size requires 4 scoops added to 16 fl.oz of water. Some users report having issues with the shake being too frothy or lumpy, so it might be a good idea to mix the powder with warm water first to achieve a smoother consistency.
Verdict
| While it does not look to provide the most calories per serving, Carnivor Mass looks to be a good mass gainer choice for people who have digestive issues with lactose and dairy. Its blend of hydrolyzed beef protein and quick-absorbing carbs sounds like a good combo for building mass – not to mention that it includes 5g of creatine monohydrate to help you maximize your workout performance. |
BEST FOR PICKY TASTE BUDS: Muscle Milk Gainer
- Nutrition per serving:
650 calories
32g protein (milk protein isolate, calcium sodium caseinate, whey protein isolate, whey protein concentrate, micellar casein, whey protein hydrolysate)
109g carbohydrates
9g fat - Type: Powder
- Allergen: Soy, Milk
- Number of servings: 28
- Size: 5 LBS (2268G)
| WHAT WE LIKE + | WHAT WE DON’T LIKE – |
|---|---|
| ✅ Milkshake-like flavor profiles (Chocolate, Cookies ‘N Crème, Vanilla) | ❌ Does not say “lactose-free” on its label, but it says that it is suitable for people with lactose sensitivities |
| ✅ Mixes well with water | |
| ✅ Contains Medium Chain Triglycerides |
When you hear “Muscle Milk”, the first thing that comes to mind is a rich-tasting drink that reminds you of your favorite milkshake. Muscle Milk Gainer promises the same mouth-watering taste and texture with this weight gain shake.
Each serving of Muscle Milk Gainer supplies your body with 650 calories, which is quite decent.
Muscle Milk Gainer helps you meet your daily protein requirements by giving you 32g of protein per serving. It uses a balanced blend of fast-acting proteins (milk protein isolate, whey protein isolate, whey protein concentrate, whey protein hydrolysate) and slow-digesting proteins (calcium sodium caseinate, micellar casein). This makes it a good weight gainer to take practically any time of the day.
Muscle Milk Gainer is advertised to be “Suitable for Most Individuals Sensitive to Lactose”. Some lactose-intolerant users say that this weight gain shake does not cause any trouble with their stomach. There is also a handful who say that they experience gas or bloating after drinking a serving.
Verdict
| Featuring a balanced blend of proteins and carbohydrates, Muscle Milk Gainer looks to be a well-rounded weight gain shake that you can take any time of the day. You are most likely to enjoy its gourmet taste and smooth texture. |
BEST FOR ON-THE-GO INDIVIDUALS: Boost Very High-Calorie Nutritional Drink
- Nutrition per serving:
530 calories
22g protein (soy protein isolate, acid casein)
52g carbohydrates
26g fat - Type: Liquid
- Top 3 Ingredients: Water, Glucose Syrup, Canola Oil
- Allergen: Gluten free
- Size: 237ml
| WHAT WE LIKE + | WHAT WE DON’T LIKE – |
|---|---|
| ✅ Ready-to-drink, travel-friendly packs | ❌ Only available in 2 flavors (Very Vanilla, Strawberry) |
| ✅ Contains 26 vitamins and minerals |
There are times when you just don’t have the time to fix up a serving of your favorite mass gainer shake. Boost Very High-Calorie Nutritional Drink takes away the hassle of mixing scoops of powder with water or milk to enjoy a high-calorie drink.
Each 237ml pack is loaded with 530 calories, which is not bad considering its smaller size. Keep a pack or two in your gym bag or office fridge so you can enjoy a calorie-rich drink whenever you want.
Each serving gives you 22g of protein (soy protein isolate, acid casein), which will help stimulate lean muscle growth and speed up muscle repair after exercise. You also get 52g of quick-digesting carbohydrates to replenish depleted energy reserves and aid in transporting nutrients to your muscle cells.
The addition of 26 vitamins and minerals is a plus. These nutrients work together in promoting excellent daily health and general wellness. They also help in filling in any nutritional gaps that might be present in your diet.
Verdict
| Given its small size, this mass gainer holds its ground by giving you 530 calories, 22g of protein, and 53g of carbohydrates. For a busy individual like you who is always in a rush, this ready-to-drink mass gainer is a practical choice. |
Frequently Asked Questions:
Are all mass gainers dairy-free?
No, most mass gainers contain dairy-sourced proteins.
Does whey protein have lactose?
Yes, most types of whey contain lactose.
What type of whey protein is lactose-free?
Whey protein isolate is lactose-free.
Is whey high in lactose?
The Whey Protein Institute says that most whey protein powders contain 0.1g of lactose per tablespoon of powder.
Do all mass gainers have lactose?
Most dairy-based mass gainers have lactose.
Is there a lactose-free whey protein?
Yes, there are a variety of lactose-free whey protein isolate supplements available today.
Is there a lactose-free protein powder?
Yes, plant-based protein powders do not contain lactose.
Is there a plant-based lactose-free protein powder?
Yes, plant-based protein powders are typically lactose-free.
Is there a dairy-free protein powder?
Yes, some protein powders use beef protein, egg whites, or plant-sourced proteins.
Is whey protein powder dairy-free?
No, whey is derived from cow milk, so it is not dairy-free.
Does Serious Mass have dairy?
Yes, Serious Mass contains whey protein concentrate and sweet whey. Both are sourced from dairy.
Are protein powders dairy-free?
Instead of dairy, some protein powders use beef protein, egg whites, or plant-sourced proteins.
What protein shakes are dairy-free?
Choose a protein shake that uses beef protein, egg whites, or plant-sourced proteins.
Does GNC have a lactose-free weight gainer?
Yes, the GNC Earth Genius PurEdge Plant-Based Gainer is lactose-free.
Is Gold Standard Whey lactose-free?
No, it is not lactose-free.
What is the best lactose-free protein powder?
MuscleMeds Carnivor, Gold Standard 100% Plant, and Universal Nutrition Egg Pro are popular lactose-free protein powders.
Does Muscle Milk have lactose?
Muscle Milk contains whey, but they market their products as suitable for most individuals with lactose sensitivities.
What is a good whey protein substitute to be taken by lactose-intolerant people?
Lactose-intolerant people are better off choosing protein powders that use beef protein, egg whites, or plant-sourced proteins.
Is whey protein powder safe to be taken by lactose-intolerant people?
If you are severely lactose intolerant, consuming whey protein powder may cause gas, bloating, diarrhea, or an upset stomach.
The Bottom Line
For hard gainers who are in need of massive amounts of calories, Vegan Naked Mass is best suited for your requirements (1230 calories).
If you need a mass gainer shake that delivers decent amounts of calories and may help boost your exercise performance, you might want to consider MuscleMeds Carnivor Mass, which has creatine monohydrate, or GNC Earth Genius PurEdge Plant-Based Gainer, which has BETAPOWER and elevATP compounds.
For people who are always in a rush, Boost Nutritional Drink looks like it will fit easily into your busy lifestyle with its ready-to-drink packs.
If flavor and texture are what you are after, the Muscle Milk Gainer promises a rich, creamy, and milkshake-like drink every time.
