The Highest-calorie Meal Replacements

Most meal replacement products are low-calorie supplements used to help people lose weight. But meal-replacement products can also be used to help promote weight gain. A 2007 study published in "Hormone and Metabolic Research" states that meal-replacement products have been shown to help lean, older adults gain weight. To promote weight gain in people with a poor appetite, choosing very high-calorie meal replacement products can help them meet their calorie needs for weight gain.

Carnation Instant Breakfast VHC

Carnation Instant Breakfast VHC lactose free balanced nutritional drink is a product made by Nestle Nutrition to promote weight gain in people with failure to thrive, disease-related anorexia and cachexia. It is the highest calorie nutritional meal replacement available. Each 8 oz. ready-to-drink serving of Carnation Instant Breakfast VHC contains 560 calories and 22.5 g of protein. Carnation Instant Breakfast VHC cannot be found in the grocery store, but can be ordered through the Nestle Nutrition website (see Resources).

Resource 2.0

Resource 2.0 is one of the highest-calorie nutritional meal replacement supplements available. It's used to promote weight gain and wound healing in people with a poor appetite. It's made and distributed by Nestle Nutrition. Each 8 oz. serving of Resource 2.0 provides 475 calories and 20 g of protein. Resource 2.0 is also gluten free and lactose free.

Boost Plus

Boost Plus is a calorie-dense meal replacement drink available at most grocery stores and pharmacies. People drink Boost Plus to help maintain weight and promote weight gain. Boost Plus comes in vanilla, chocolate and strawberry flavors. Each 8 oz. serving provides 360 calories and 14 g of protein.

Ensure Plus

Ensure Plus is another high-calorie meal replacement product. It's an over-the-counter product and can be found on most grocery store shelves. Ensure Plus helps promote weight gain. Each serving provides 350 calories and 13 g of protein. In addition to being high in calories, Ensure Plus also provides 24 essential vitamins and minerals and omega-3 fatty acids.

Carnation Instant Breakfast Powder

Carnation Instant Breakfast powder can be made into a high calorie meal replacement option. Each packet of Carnation Instant Breakfast powder contains 130 calories and 5 g of protein. By mixing the powder with whole milk, you'll increase its caloric content to 280 calories and its protein content to 13 g. You can also use non-dairy creamer to make a high-calorie meal replacement shake with 370 calories and 12 g of protein.