Protein powders range from designer weight gainer formulas to basic protein powders that contain little in terms of carbohydrates and fats. Weight gainer formulas are specifically designed to help you gain weight and contain more calories compared to basic protein powders. These supplements are designed to help you gain lean muscle mass, and they can be safe and effective if consumed in moderation and as directed by your doctor or dietitian.
Protein Weight Gainers
The primary ingredient in most weight gainers is protein. This protein comes from sources including soy, whey and casein. These formulas are designed to help you meet your daily calorie needs when trying to put on lean muscle mass. Weight gainers are a better choice compared to protein powders if you're a hard gainer and find it tough to put on weight. If you gain weight easily, a basic protein powder may be the better choice.
Protein Powder
Like weight gainer formulas, protein powders are made from various sources of protein, including soy, hemp, egg, milk, whey and casein. Adding a protein shake will lead to weight gain, but not at the rate a weigh gainer formula would. This is because protein shakes made from basic protein powders contain fewer calories compared to an equal serving of weight gainer protein formula.
Calories
To gain weight, you must consume more calories. Each 1 g of protein contains about 4 calories. So, a 30 g protein shake contains at least 120 calories. You can add calories by mixing the powder with milk, rather than water. An equally sized weight gainer protein powder serving may contain two or three times the calories of a basic protein shake due to the carbohydrate and fat content. If you want to gain an average of 1 lb. per week, you must increase your calorie intake by about 500 calories per day. Protein powders can help increase the number of calories you get each day and support muscle development.
Safety
Gaining weight can be dangerous if you do it incorrectly. Never begin a weight gain program without first planning it out with your doctor or dietitian. Consuming too much protein can also be dangerous, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It states consuming beyond 35 percent of your total daily caloric intake from sources of protein can cause damage to your kidneys, increase your cholesterol levels and increase body fat.
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