Weight-gaining powders provide the protein, carbohydrates and fats needed to gain weight. Each of the macronutrients contains calories, which our bodies use for fuel and maintenance. Gaining weight requires a simple equation: eat more calories than you burn. However, eating large amounts of whole foods is time-consuming and can cause digestive discomfort. Who has the time to eat six or seven square meals a day? Weight-gaining shakes allow you to supplement your current caloric intake to meet your individual requirements.
True Mass
True Mass is a muscle-building protein blend from BSN. It contains glutamine AKG, glutamine peptides, branch-chain amino acids, vitamins, minerals, enzymes and medium chain triglycerides. The 50 g of protein come from whey concentrate, isolates and hydrolysates, micellar caseins, milk isolates and even egg whites. The 70 g of carbohydrates from maltodextrin and 17 g of fat from sunflower oil and MCTs (medium-chain triglycerides) round out a 600-calorie boost for all of your muscle-building needs. For those who can only manage a few meals a day, two to four servings of True Mass will provide you with adequate muscle-building calories.
Cytogainer
Cytosport, makers of Muscle Milk, offer Cytogainer as a muscle-building protein supplement with added creatine. The 80 g of carbohydrates come from maltodextrin, a complex carb, limiting the sugar to 5 g per serving. The 65 g of protein come from high-quality, partially predigested whey concentrates and isolates. The vitamin and mineral blend ensures that you have all the nutrients needed to build muscle. Cytosport claims that Cytogainer mixes instantly with water in a shaker--great for those constantly on the go.
Serious Mass
Optimum Nutrition's Serious Mass is for hard-gainers who need a lot of extra calories, especially carbohydrates. Serious Mass packs 252 g of carbs per serving. Fifty grams of protein, a vitamin and mineral blend, and creatine and glutamine can certainly help. Start with half the serving immediately after your workout. Then try to finish the rest 30 minutes to 1 hour later. With 1,250 calories per serving, there is no excuse for not getting enough nutrients to build muscle.
Mass Fuel Xtreme
Twinlab has an intelligent muscle-builder with 50 g of blended proteins from whey concentrates and isolates, milk, caseins and glutamine peptides. The 63 g of carbohydrates come from maltodextrin, waxy maize, isomaltulose and dextrose, providing the body with the necessary postworkout glycogen replacement. The fat blend contains 18 g of MCTs, healthy fats that promote muscle gain. A vitamin, mineral and digestive enzyme blend top off this muscle-building formula.
Up Your Mass
Up Your Mass from MHP delivers 58 g of carbohydrates from barley and oats. On top of that, the 54 g protein matrix combines soy, casein, whey and branch-chain amino acids for a sustained-release muscle recovery effect. The 11 g essential fatty acid complex includes fat-burning CLA (conjugated linoleic acid), MCTs, flaxseed oil, omega-3 and evening primrose oil. The vitamin and mineral complex provides a foundation for muscle-building nutrition.
Homemade Shakes
The money saved making your own weight-gaining shakes can be well worth the effort. Start with a high-quality protein, such as Isopure or ON's 100 percent Gold Standard Whey. Add 60 to 100 g of carbohydrates, such as dextrose, maltodextrin or waxy maize. To complete the muscle-building formula, take the "Muscle Nerd" Jeff Anderson's advice and add 30 g of healthy fats from flaxseed oil or medium-chain triglycerides.
References
- Natural Anabolics; Jerry Brainum; 2008
- Homemade Supplement Secrets; Jeff Anderson; 2009
- The Vitamin Shoppe: Weight Gainers
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