Weight Gainer Shakes Vs. Protein Shakes | How Are They Different?
Building muscle is something that requires intense dedication, both in and out of the kitchen. Many people understand that to build muscle, you need to lift some weight, but a lot of people might think that’s it. The most important part of building muscle, however, lies in the foods you eat – and not just what you eat, but how much you eat, too.
To build muscle, your body needs to be in a hypercaloric state, meaning that every day it’s taking in more calories than it is burning. For some people, however, reaching that state is very difficult. Whether it’s a lost appetite or a rapid metabolism, if you’re having a difficult time hitting your calorie marks, a weight gainer shake might be exactly what you need.
Difference With Weight Gainer Protein
Like normal protein shakes, weight gainer shakes won’t add an inch to your chest or add size to your legs overnight, but over time, it can help you get to those goals. The difference between weight gainers and protein shakes comes down to the nutritional value of each one. In a normal protein shake, you can usually expect to consume 100-150 calories and get 20-30g of protein. With weight gainers, however, there are many more options when it comes to reaching your goals.
For somebody looking to get a few extra calories to bridge the gap, there are shakes that will have 400 calories per serving. On the other hand, for people who find it extremely hard to gain weight, there are shakes that will have 1000+ calories per serving to help reach those 4000-5000 calorie goals for the day.
Shakes designed for weight gain usually consist of protein and carbohydrates and can be extremely effective. For example, in addition to replacing your normal protein shakes, weight gainers will have good fast-acting carbohydrates – perfect for after a workout.
Some gainers will even have creatine in them too, which works especially well with the quick-digesting carbohydrates in the shake because they aid in the absorption of creatine into the body.
Use of Weight Gainers
When it comes to these shakes, it’s important to be aware of what you need. While it may seem tempting to assume it's all you need to get bigger, you should remember that weight gainers are still supplements, and that is what they will do for you – supplement.
Weight gainers are like protein shakes for calories. When it seems hard to reach your daily protein requirements, protein shakes can help, and it's the same with weight gainers. If you're having trouble reaching your daily calorie requirements to build muscle, a weight gainer shake can help you tremendously.
However, if you're able to reach your daily calorie and nutrient goals with the food you already eat, a weight gainer may actually hurt your progress. If you're already getting the calories you need to bulk up, adding in a weight gainer may only cause you to gain unwanted fat.
Take Home Message
Weight gainers can be extremely helpful for those looking to gain weight quickly or reach their calorie requirements. They come in many different variations and can be extremely helpful for reaching your daily nutritional goals.
All of our weight gainers shakes like Extreme Gainer Blend, Weight Gainer Blend, and Hurricane Extreme, taste great and are an affordable way to supplement some of your nutritional requirements and help you bulk up successfully.
Jennifer Blow has a Bachelor’s of Science in Nutritional Science and a Master’s of Science by Research in Nutrition, and now specialises in the use of sports supplements for health and fitness, underpinned by evidence-based research.
Jennifer has been quoted or mentioned as a nutritionist in major online publications including Vogue, Elle, and Grazia, for her expertise in nutritional science for exercise and healthy living.
Her experience spans from working with the NHS on dietary intervention trials, to specific scientific research into omega-3 fatty acid supplementation and also the effect of fast foods on health, which she has presented at the annual Nutrition Society Conference. Jennifer is involved in many continuing professional development events to ensure her practise remains at the highest level. Find out more about Jennifer’s experience here.
In her spare time, Jennifer loves hill walking and cycling, and in her posts you’ll see that she loves proving healthy eating doesn’t mean a lifetime of hunger.
