Mass Gainer Vs Protein Powder

First, you need to understand that not all protein powders are created equally.

There are powders that are known as mass gainers. A mass gainer is basically a powder that includes proteins, carbs and fats. Although, all three of those macronutrients are required in a diet, when picking a protein powder, a person should never purchase a mass gainer if they really only want a protein powder.

Those who are new to lifting often make the mistake of purchasing one of these so called protein powders not knowing that they are also consuming much more than just protein which WILL contribute to excess fat gain due to the excess calories.

When choosing a powder make sure it has the following:

Low Fat (1-5 grams is ok)
Low Carb (1-5 grams is ok)
High Protein (normally about 20-30 grams per serving)

Calorie Content
Weight gainers and whey protein differ significantly in calorie content. As their name indicates, weight gainers are intended to aid in weight gain, so they are high in calories. Weight gainers may have between 500 and 2600 calories per serving. Meanwhile, a typical whey protein powder contains about 120 calories.

Protein Content
Weight gainers are typically higher in protein than whey protein supplements. However, the protein content comprises a significantly larger percentage of whey protein supplements than weight gainers. A lower-calorie weight gainer may contain 35 g of protein, while a higher-calorie weight gainer may supply 100 g of protein. However, given calorie amounts of 620 and 1860, the protein comprises just 22.5 and 21.5 percent of the calories in these gainers. Meanwhile, a whey protein powder with 120 calories typically contains 24 g of protein, meaning protein comprises 80 percent of the calories.

Fat Content
Fat is high in calories, so it is included in weight gainer supplements; a weight gainer may have between 4 and 29 g of fat. Although fat is sometimes avoided on diets, fat is vital for proper health, as it helps your body absorb nutrients and encourages proper growth. Whey protein supplements typically contain very little fat, about 1 g per serving.

Carbohydrate Content
Because whey protein is intended to be a source of protein and little else, such supplements contain very little carbohydrates, about 3 g per serving. Weight gainers contain high levels of carbohydrates, as this helps increase the calorie content. A weight gainer may contain between 58 g and 391 g of carbohydrates per serving. In addition to providing calories, carbohydrates provide your body with energy. Not all carbohydrates are beneficial, and you should limit your sugar intake. Limit added sugars to between 6 and 10 percent of your total calorie intake.