Mass gainer vs. whey protein – Know what it is better for you

Imagine a scrawny little kid entering the gym for the first time. No matter how much he eats, he can’t seem to get the muscles that he’s looking for. Now, this kid will be pelted with advises, left, right and center on what he needs to do. The most frequent out of all of these will be taking supplements to get those extra calories his body desperately needs. Now whether you are the kid or the guy giving him the advice, you need to know the difference between whey protein and mass gainers. Well, we are here to answer this question once and for all. So let the battle begin, mass gainer vs whey protein.

Before we can come to a conclusion, we need to understand the difference between whey protein and mass gainers. Both of them have a different chemical composition and affect your body differently. It all depends on how you work out and the body type that you are looking for.

Are Protein Supplements OK to take?

Even though it is mostly marketed towards athletes and bodybuilders, protein supplements can be a useful addition to your diet. The protein in these supplements help transfer nutrients, repair cells and increase production of hormone and enzymes. Even though there are no real risks associated with taking protein every day, it can be dangerous if you exceed your daily requirement.

Many doctors and researchers have concluded that the ingredients that are found in protein supplements can vary greatly. There are some supplements that can over 30 different substances which may include caking agents and additives which could potentially pose a risk to your health. There is also the risk of kidney failure and heart problems associated with protein supplements. Biologically, if we consume more than 30% of our daily calorie intake as protein, it could cause problems to our health.

That being said, this applies to anything that is taken in excess. So now you know the risks that are associated with protein supplements and how to prevent any health problems, we can move onto deciding which protein supplement is better.

Whey Protein:

In simple words, the by-product of milk processing and cheese manufacturing industries is used to make whey protein. It is safe to say that whey protein is the purest form of protein you can take. The best part about this is that it is easily digestible and released into the bloodstream.

It doesn’t end there; whey protein has three different types. Isolate, Concentrate, and Hydrolyzed.

Whey Protein Concentrate:

The amount of protein in this type can range from 25-89%, the remaining consists of fats, minerals, and moisture.

Whey Protein Isolate:

Whey Protein Isolate is the purest form of whey protein having about 90-95% protein, which almost lactose-free with very low-fat content.

Hydrolyzed Whey Protein:

The protein chains are broken down in hydrolyzed whey protein making it the easiest to be absorbed by the body and prevents any allergic reaction. Infant formulas, sports, and medical products use from this type of whey protein.

Mass gainer:

Mass gainers also have protein, but the main difference between the two is that mass gainers have a high percentage of fats and carbohydrates. This helps the user intake the more calories to increase their weight. The ratio of carbs to protein in mass gainers is usually 2:1 and the majority of the calories obtained from this are thanks to the carbs and a mixture of maltose and glucose.

When should you take whey protein?

Whey protein has been around for ages and is a tried and tested method for gym goers to improve their physique. It helps bodybuilder to achieve their dream body fueling their muscles and increasing endurance. On the other hand, it can also be used by an average gym Joe to stay healthy and take the needed number of calories.

When should you take a mass gainer?

To put it simply, mass gainers are chock-full of carbs and fats along with protein; this allows your body to intake the specified number of calories needed to gain weight. This is the major difference between whey protein and a mass gainer, where a single serving of whey gives you 100-150 calories, and mass gainer gives you 1250-1500 calories per serving.

What to choose?

To decide what to choose depends purely on what your body goal is. Some people want to bulk while others prefer shredding. The type of supplement you take has to complement your body type.

Bodybuilding:

The problem with mass gainers is that they have carbs that are stored as fat, so in the case of building strength and muscles, it is preferred to take whey protein. The pure protein can help you get those extra gains.

Lean Physique:

If your main aim is to have a body shredded better than an MMA fighter, then you need to steer clear from weight gainers. It is recommended to use whey protein isolate since it is clean from all kinds of carbs and fats.

Bulking and Weight Gain:

Gaining weight can be a pain in the posterior region for hard gainers. It is recommended to take mass gainers for the intake of those extra calories. On the other hand, you shouldn’t stick to it for so long as they might add unwanted fat to your body.

So who wins?

Well, it is clear to see that whey protein is healthier and is free from all kinds of fats and carbs, so whey protein has the upper hand over mass gainers. So the winner is, obviously, a well-balanced diet.

There is no substitute for a well-balanced diet, and although supplements can be taken to fulfill the shortage of calories, it isn’t something you can entirely rely on. There’s a little food for thought you can ponder over next time you go to a health store to buy some supplements.

If you are looking for some well-balanced diets that you want to try out for yourselves, well you need to look no further. We also have a number of workouts that can complement the type of body type you desire.

So to conclude, on paper, whey protein is chemically the better supplement with regards to fewer risks, more protein, and a better overall result. Another reason is that it is used for multiple body types whereas mass gainer is only useful for those that are trying to bulk. All in all, Whey Protein can be crowned our protein supplement champion!