In the past, weight gainer supplements were made of a sugar and fat combination. This combination gave them a high amount of calories, and many bodybuilders bought them like crazy in an effort to build mass. However, instead of increasing muscle mass, they added on bulky weight that did not help efforts much at all.
As education and research have increased in the nutritional requirements of athletes, many companies have begun to develop and produce more effective weight gainer supplements. These are similar to many bodybuilding supplements that are on the market today. However, some companies do still market the sugar/fat mixture, and it is imperative that shoppers check labels carefully.
Weight gainer supplements are generally intended to be meal replacements. They usually will have a higher calorie intake that the typical meal. Today, there are a variety of weight gainer supplements that are a good combination of protein, carbohydrates, and fat. The most popular ones are powders that can be mixed with water. On average, 16 ounces of water plus a serving of weight gainer will provide a person with anywhere from 600 to 900 calories.
One important note, though, to remember when you are selecting a weight gainer supplement – obtaining lean muscle mass is more important that purely adding large amounts of calories. You need to make sure that the weight gainer you select had an adequate amount of quality nutrients and not just fat.
Although you may feel desperate to gain weight quickly, weight gainer supplements are not always the best choice. Instead, it is essential that you work with a trainer and/or nutritionist to create a weight gain plan that will work for you. Once you have that diet plan in place, you can make the decision whether or not to add weight gainer supplements. If you can increase calories and still maintain adequate nutrition, you may not need the supplement. However, this is a difficult task. Because of the lack of nutrition that is ever present in today’s society, weight gainer supplements provide an easy way to get the necessary nutrients and calories all in one easy step.
How do you know what kind of weight gainer supplement to choose? You need to work with a nutritionist to determine what nutrients your body most desperately needs.
For example, if your body needs more protein to develop properly, you can find weight gainer supplements that offer increased amounts of protein. If you get enough protein from your diet but are not reaching your caloric goal each day, you may choose a weight gainer supplement with less protein and more carbohydrates.
Additionally, do not be suckered by weight gainer supplements that claim to offer enormous calorie amounts in a smaller dose. Nutrients actually work better if divided evenly throughout meals. It is generally recommended that a person get their dietary intake through six smaller meals rather than three large ones.
When selecting a weight gainer supplement, the number one tip is to read packaging carefully. Beware of those who claim to offer high calories because often they have increased amounts of sugar. Sugars do not aid in muscle building; instead, they build body fat.
Generally speaking, you will have to pay a higher price for a quality weight gainer supplement. This is one of those cases where, most of the time, you get what you pay for. If you purchase the cheapest one you can find, chances are, it will be full of sugars and fat. A good, moderately priced weight gainer supplement should be an effective combination of protein, carbs, and fat. However, with the added expense, you should be prepared to see added results.
The most important thing you can do is work with someone who can help you to understand the nutrients needed to build a healthy body. A nutritionist can help you to determine what, if any, type of weight gainer supplement is right for you. |
