Four Points to Consider When Choosing a Mass Gainer
A mass gainer is nothing but a supplement that provides protein, carbohydrates and fats. The combination of these compounds makes a high-calorie protein powder. It is typically aimed to aid in increasing the daily calorie intake to promote weight gain while adding muscle mass. If you have joined the gym with the objective of not only gaining weight but muscle mass too, you may need to add the best mass gainer supplement to your diet.
However, as there are numerous brands selling mass gainers, the options available in the market often leave you in confusion, unless you blindly pick any box of mass gainers that suits well with your budget. Well, apart from mass gainer price, there are several things that you should pay close attention to before making a purchase.
Well, the best way to choose the right mass gainer is simply to understand the supplement. To do so, you don’t have to scroll through online reviews. Just turn the box and take a look at its nutritional profile. Instead of the design of packaging or the celebrity endorsing the supplement, it is the nutritional profile of the mass gainer that will be the deciding factor for an informed purchase.
With that being said, this comprehensive guide is here to help you explain how to choose the “right” mass gainer for your fitness journey. As the title suggests, this write-up has listed four points you should take into account while buying a mass gainer.
Calories
Be it gaining or losing weight, the overall calorie intake plays a crucial role in an individual’s fitness journey. Since here we are talking about gaining weight, the calorie intake should be increased. Generally, mass gainers are high in calories, obviously to serve their purpose. If there is no calorie surplus, you are likely to struggle to gain mass even after working out for hours.
Now, some mass gainers provide 1200 calories in one dose while other may provide 1000. If you are a newbie taking the mass gainer for the first time, it is strongly recommended to take your fitness trainer’s suggestion. They can guide you better in determining the perfect calorie intake your body may need in the initial days.
The newbies are generally recommended to consume 500-600 calories a day through mass gainers. It is believed that a sudden increase in calories can disturb the consumer’s digestion.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates aka Carbs are well known for providing energy to your body, but it also important for recovery and muscle building. You are consuming carbohydrates even before you joined a fitness center through whole grains, fruits and vegetables, beans and legumes, and dairy products. However, when it comes to muscle gain, you may need to limit your carb intake that is coming from the following sources:
- Sugary Cereals
- Baked Good
- Snack Bars
- Fruit Juices
Thus, adding the best mass gainer can help you consume the right type of carbs for your body. These crabs will act as fuel and help your muscles recover from an intense workout, which will further aid you in being consistent with your workout routine.
Protein
It is not an unknown fact that a protein-rich diet is also essential for muscle growth as your muscles are made of protein. Someone who is a fitness enthusiast never misses consuming protein through multiple sources such as whey, casein, eggs, soy, lean meat, chicken, and fish. However, eating protein through these sources on a daily basis could be chaotic. Therefore, many opt for plant-based protein powder.
As here mass gainers are the matter of concern, look at the net content of protein in it. Many mass gainers have a substantial quantity of protein to help them build muscle. Here, you need to look at the ratio of protein and carbs. Typically, the ratio of proteins to carbs should vary between 1:3 to 1:5.
Note, if you are consuming proteins with little or no carbs, your body will use the former as fuel. As your body will use protein, there will be a shortage of amino acids for repairing damaged cells, resulting in muscle loss.
Fat
Mass gainers contain healthy fats, that contain essential fatty acids, and omega 3. Healthy fat is a critical macronutrient to help you gain weight, making this energy source twice as dense as compared to carbohydrates or protein. The actual number of fat grams depends on the total daily calories that they’re taking in.
Note, if the figures do not match with what is recommended by your trainer, kindly talk to them and clear your doubts. As stated earlier, instead of mass gainer price, consider its nutritional value to determine if it is correct for you or not.
Apart from these contents, you must remember that some mass gainers contain added vitamins, minerals, and fibres. If you pick a mass gainer that does not have added vitamins and minerals, you need to get enough of these from your diet or other supplements. For the best results, you should use the mass gainer as directed on the label or by your fitness trainer.
Defining the best mass gainer is an individual choice as it includes preferences. However, if the goal is to pick the right one, we have a suggestion. Big Flex has a wide range of options. For the unversed, Big Flex is a sports nutrition and nutraceutical brand. As they have different flavours on the shelf, you can make a choice. Visit their official website and find a mass gainer that will be your perfect buddy to achieve the goal of gaining muscle mass.