Should I take Whey protein or mass gainer for beginners? Is mass gainer harmful? 2024

In my 7 Years of experience, I have seen many beginners who struggle with these questions, ‘Should I take whey protein or mass gainer for beginners?’. and is mass gainer harmful?

When it comes to building muscle, protein is an essential nutrient that plays a crucial role. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced lifter. So, to clarify these doubts, about whether should you take whey protein or mass gainer for beginners, we will dive deep into the world of mass gainers.

In this article, we will cover, whether should you take whey protein or mass gainer for beginners, What is mass gainer, Is mass gainer harmful, and does mass gainer makes you fat.

To Understand whether should you take whey protein or mass gainer for beginners, Let’s quickly understand What exactly Whey protein and mass gainer is.

What is Whey Protein

Whey protein is a fast digestive protein supplement that is made from whey, which is a byproduct of cheese production. It is the most popular supplement among athletes and bodybuilders because it is easily digested and absorbed by the body. Which helps in quick muscle recovery. It is also the most complete form of protein, meaning it contains all of the essential amino acids that our body needs to build and repair muscle tissue.

What is a Mass Gainer

On the other hand, a mass gainer is a type of supplement that is designed to help people gain weight and build muscle. Mass gainers typically contain a combination of protein, carbohydrates, and sometimes fats. They are often used by bodybuilders and other athletes who need to consume a large number of calories to support muscle growth and recovery.

However, In India especially I have personally seen mostly beginners taking it to get big as soon as possible. As a result, you can see many youngsters roaming around with ball-like bodies. Personally, I don’t think is a good practice. As a beginner, you don’t really need that many calories and nutrition that you need to depend on supplements like weight gainers.

Whey protein or mass gainer for beginners? Which One is Right for You?

The choice between whether should you take whey protein or mass gainer for beginners ultimately depends on your body type, goals, and your current dietary habits.

Here are some factors to consider:

1) Body Type:

If you are someone who has a fast metabolism and is not able to gain weight even after eating a good portion of a balanced diet. Then certainly you can look forwards towards Mass gainer.

Although, I would still personally argue going with Whey protein as a beginner. Because, as I said, As a beginner you don’t really need that many calories. If you are on a well-balanced diet you will certainly see the results. It will just take some time but believe me from my personal experience that physique will be much more aesthetic and attractive looking.

2) Nutrient Composition

Whey protein supplements are the purest and one of the most complete forms of protein. It contains a higher concentration of protein per serving than mass gainers. This can be beneficial if your goal is to gain lean muscles and you are trying to increase your protein intake without consuming too many calories.

Mass gainers, on the other hand, typically contain a combination of protein, carbohydrates, and sometimes fats. This can be beneficial if your goal is to increase overall mass and you are not able to complete your calorie intake with a normal diet. In that case, you need to consume a large number of calories to support muscle growth and recovery.

3) Price

Whey proteins are typically less expensive when it comes to per-serving cost than mass gainers.

For Example, You can easily get some of the Best whey proteins under 2000Rs 1Kg. The recommended serving of whey protein is always 1 scoop per day. A typical 1 scoop of whey protein is 30gm. Which makes it around 30 serving in a 1 kg box.

Now, assuming the cost of whey protein is 2000Rs and it has 30 servings.

2000/30 = 66.66Rs per serving/per scoop and at this rate, you are getting high-quality protein and essential nutrients.

On the other hand, Yes you can definitely get a 2-3Kg mass gainer for around 2000Rs and you must think it is cheaper. But, recommended servings per day for mass gainers is around 3-4. A typical 1 scoop of mass gainer is 100gm. Which makes it around 20 servings in a 2 kg box. let us calculate.

Assuming the cost of mass gainer 2000Rs and it has 20 Servings.

2000/20 = 100Rs per serving/ in a day.

If you are on a tight budget, whey protein might be a better choice for you.

4) Convenience

Whey protein supplements are typically easier and faster to prepare than mass gainers.

For Whey proteins, you can simply add it to water and shake it for 40-50 Sec and you are ready to go. Whereas, mass gainers are typically recommended to be drunk with milk and it takes some time to completely blend them.

If you are looking for a quick and convenient way to increase your protein intake, whey protein might be a better choice for you.

Is Mass Gainer Harmful? The side effect of mass gainer

What are the side effects of mass gainer? Like any supplement, mass gainers can also have side effects if taken in excessive amounts or if you have a pre-existing medical condition.

Here are some potential Side effects of mass gainers:

1) Unhealthy Weight Gain

Mass gainers can help you gain weight, but they are full of sugar content and many brands include unhealthy carbohydrates like maltodextrin(Maltodextrin has an even higher glycemic index (GI) than table sugar. This means that maltodextrin can cause a sharp increase, or spike, in people’s blood sugar shortly after they eat foods that contain it.) in their mass gainers for cost-cutting.

As we already know the recommended serving per day is around 300gm. If you consume too many calories, you could gain weight too quickly. This can lead to health problems such as obesity and diabetes.

2) Digestive Issues

Mass gainers can be difficult to digest, especially if you have a sensitive digestive system like lactose intolerant. Some people experience digestive issues such as bloating, gas, and diarrhea when taking mass gainers. This is mostly because our body is not habitual of taking these high calories in one go and do not forget about the unhealthy high level of sugars.

3) Sugar Content

This is the biggest problem with mass gainers is some mass gainers contain a high amount of sugar, which is harmful to your health if consumed in excessive amounts. According to various research and studies, High sugar intake has been linked to a variety of health problems, including obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.

Whey protein or mass gainer for beginners? Whey Protein vs. Mass Gainer: A Comparison Table

Comparison	Whey Protein	Mass Gainer
Protein content per serving	High	Moderate
Calorie content per serving	Low	High
Carbohydrate content per serving	Low	High
Fat content per serving	Low	Moderate
Price per serving	Low	High
Ease of preparation	Easy	Difficult
Suitable for weight loss	Yes	No
Suitable for weight gain	Yes	Yes
Suitable for muscle building	Yes	Yes

Conclusion

In conclusion, should you take whey protein or mass gainer for beginners? the choice ultimately depends on your goals and dietary habits. If you need to consume a large number of calories to support muscle growth and weight gain, a mass gainer supplement might be a good option for you. However, if you are looking to gain lean muscle mass and increase your protein intake without consuming too many calories, whey protein will definitely be a better choice.

It’s also important to keep in mind that mass gainers can have potential side effects, such as unhealthy weight gain, digestive issues, and high sugar intake. So, I would always suggest speaking with your healthcare provider before adding any supplement to your diet.

But remember as a beginner, You should not completely rely on supplements as the sole source of nutrients. A healthy and balanced diet, combined with a regular exercise routine with good form, is the most effective way to build muscle and achieve your fitness goals.

This is all in this article Whey protein or mass gainer for beginners. If you find anything helpful, Kindly share and Follow us on Facebook and Join our Club in Telegram.

FAQ

Q1. Does mass gainer make you fat?

It can make you fat if taken in an excessive manner. Don’t exceed the recommended dose as it contains a high level of sugar and junk carbohydrates.

Q2. Side effect of mass gainer?

If taken exceedingly it can have multiple side effects, such as unhealthy weight gain, high blood sugar, Kidney damage, and lever damage.

Q3. Should I take mass gainer as a beginner?

Yes, You can certainly take a mass gainer as a beginner. However, remember it can have multiple side effects like high blood sugar and Kidney damage as it contains very high levels of sugar and some harmful carbs like maltodextrin. Which brand includes as cost-cutting.