You can literally increase your weight by eating anything and everything. It all matters how much calories you take in than you burn. But can increasing your weight by eating anything help you? Or is it the right approach? Obviously not. Protein powders come with many benefits. Using protein powder for weight gain is one of the best methods. But it is not just protein powder that you should consume for healthy bulking up.
Let’s see more about ‘how to use protein powder for weight gain’ in this article.
What is protein powder for weight gain?
Protein powder for weight gain is a dietary supplement mainly for people having hard time gaining weight. It not only helps in gaining healthy weight but also build muscle.
These types of protein powder generally contain high protein, medium to low carbohydrates and low fats. They are generally high in calories that help in increase your dietary calories.
How does protein powder help with weight gain?
Protein powder is a dietary supplement and so it contains calories. Having protein powder along with carbohydrates and fats can further increase the calories of the product. This increase in calories, results in weight gain.
Taking protein powder in right amount for your body can help in healthy weight gain. That is, it will result in more muscle gain and less fat gain. If combined with proper exercise, protein powder can result in better muscle gain and also skeletal muscle gain.
Also, consuming calories from your daily balanced diet is very much important to help with healthy weight gain. Protein powder alone should not be the way of gaining weight.
Surprisingly, if you use protein powder correctly, you can lose weight in a healthy way. Read more about it here:
How to Use Protein Powder for Weight Loss?
Right type of protein powder for weight gain
Choosing the right type of protein powder for weight gain is super important. At the same time, it is also important to go for trustable brands, rather than brands that are not famous and have history of bad reviews.
Protein Powder Concentrate – While choosing protein powder for weight gain, it is best to go for the protein powder that are high in calories per scoop. Generally, a protein powder with high calories contains more carbohydrates than protein powder isolate. They are also known as Protein Powder Concentrate.
Here are some tips on choosing the right protein powder
Consider Your Goals
The type of protein powder you choose should align with your goals. For example, if you are looking for a fast-digesting protein for post-workout recovery, whey protein may be the best option. If you are looking for a slow-digesting protein for night-time use, casein protein may be a better choice.
Read the Label
It is important to read the label and choose a protein powder that is high in protein and low in fat and carbohydrates. Look for a protein powder that contains at least 20 grams of protein per serving.
Choose High-Quality Ingredients
Choose a protein powder that is made with high-quality ingredients and is free from harmful additives and preservatives.
Check for Allergens
If you have any food allergies or intolerances, make sure to check the label for allergens like soy, dairy, and gluten.
Note: Whey protein powder is most common and widely used among all types of protein powders. But there are many good alternatives to whey protein powder in the market.
Protein Powder with Exercise for weight gain
Incorporating right exercise along with consuming protein powder can result in healthy muscle gain and hence weight gain.
Right exercise depends on individual goals. If a person doesn’t want to reduce fat and just wants to gain muscle, they should concentrate on strength exercises. If a person wants to reduce fat and also gain muscle, they should concentrate on both strength exercises and cardio. Keeping in mind, diet and macros play an important role as well. And to maintain protein requirement of the body, protein powders come to rescue.
Protein powder can be consumed both before and after a workout. Consuming protein before a workout can help provide energy and prevent muscle breakdown during exercise. Consuming protein after a workout can help with post-workout recovery and muscle repair.
Protein powder with other ingredients for weight gain
Combine with Carbohydrates
Combining protein powder with carbohydrates can help improve muscle protein synthesis and enhance post-workout recovery. Carbohydrates can also help replenish glycogen stores, which can be depleted during exercise.
Try making smoothies with protein powder that include other healthy carbohydrates that significantly increase calories of the shake.
Put protein powder in snacks that are healthy and high in other macros as well, like almond cookies etc.
Consider Creatine with protein powder for weight gain
Creatine is a popular supplement that can help increase muscle size and strength. Combining creatine with protein powder can provide additional benefits for gaining weight and exercise.
Gaining weight mainly by having Protein Powder | The BAD
Trying to increase your weight by having mostly protein powder can be very harmful. It is best to get your macros mostly from your daily balanced diet before moving on to any supplements. Supplements are named supplement because they can never replace your whole foods. Anything in moderation can have wonders to your health but anything if overused can become disaster for your health.
Here are some drawbacks of having too much protein powder.
Not a Substitute for Whole Foods
Protein powder should not be used as a substitute for whole foods. It is important to maintain a balanced diet that includes a variety of nutrient-dense foods.
May Contain Harmful Ingredients
Some protein powders may contain harmful ingredients like artificial sweeteners, preservatives, and additives. It is important to read the label and choose a high-quality protein powder that is free from harmful ingredients.
May Cause Digestive Issues
Some people may experience digestive issues like bloating, gas, and diarrhea when consuming protein powder. This can be due to the lactose content in some protein powders, or to an intolerance to certain ingredients.
May cause Acne
Having too much of protein powder can lead to acne. Many people face this issue with whey protein powder. This can be because of the lactose present in it. Or can be because of too much protein powder is putting stress on your overall health.
May cause sore throat
Some people have allergies to some types of protein powder that can make their throat dry and sore. Having too much of protein powder can also leads to this.
To Conclude
Protein powder can be an effective tool for healthy weight increase and exercise.
Mixing them in other ingredients to make a new recipe to having them directly, protein powders can help balance your diet and increase weight.
Also, it should never be used as whole food replacement. It is important to choose a high-quality protein powder that aligns with your goals and dietary needs.
Additionally, protein powder should be used in conjunction with a balanced diet and exercise routine.
FAQs
1) Can protein powder help me gain weight?
Yes, protein powder can help you gain weight by providing additional calories and protein to your diet. It alone cannot help in healthier gain weight. Mainitaining balanced diet is best for healthy weight gain.
2) What is the best type of protein powder for weight gain?
The best type of protein powder for weight gain depends on your individual goals and dietary needs. Some popular options include whey protein, casein protein, and plant-based protein powders like soy, pea, and hemp protein. Protein powder high in calories are best for weight gain as their increase calories per serving.
3) Can I use protein powder if I have a food allergy or intolerance?
If you have a food allergy or intolerance, it is important to check the label for allergens and choose a protein powder that is free from those allergens. There are many options and alternatives pesent in the market.
4) How much protein powder should I consume per day for weight gain?
The amount of protein powder you should consume per day for weight gain depends on your individual needs and goals. Generally, it is recommended to aim for 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight per day.
5) Is it safe to consume protein powder every day?
Yes, it is generally safe to consume protein powder every day as long as it is used in conjunction with a balanced diet and exercise routine. However, it is important to choose a high-quality protein powder and avoid excessive consumption. It is best not to overdose yourself. keep it in moderation.
