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Adding a mass gainer to your bulking diet can help you grow in size.
But is it 100% safe to drink a weight gain shake every single day? We shed light on this issue – keep reading and find out!
A mass gainer is just a supplement loaded with high amounts of calories, protein, carbohydrates, and some fat.
In general, it is safe to drink a weight gain shake every day – just make sure to take it in the right amounts, pair it with exercise, and continue to eat healthy meals throughout the day.
While consuming a mass gainer every day can be harmless, it is important to consume it in moderation. Otherwise, you may encounter some of the side effects that we will be mentioning below.
Drinking a Weight Gain Shake Daily: 5 Things to Consider
Mass gainers are formulated to give you large amounts of calories for building mass. If used the right way, you will have an easier time packing on lean pounds in no time.
Before you start taking a weight gain shake, here are some potential side effects to consider:
#1 A Bulging Belly
Drinking a mass gainer every day can help you build lean mass – but it can also lead to the formation of a large, protruding belly.
A typical serving of a mass gainer can contain around 700 to 2000 calories, depending on the brand. That large amount of calories can easily make way for the formation of a unwanted fat reserves, which usually get deposited around your belly area.
You want your mass gainer to build lean muscle mass, not fat. To avoid getting that large belly, it is important for you to follow an effective strength-training program.
Focus on high-intensity compound exercises, such as squats, deadlifts, bench presses, rows, and chin-ups. Performing these exercises will help promote the growth of lean muscle mass, making you grow larger in terms of muscle size – not in belly fat.
#2 An Upset Stomach
You’ve just fixed up a rich and creamy serving of your mass gainer, and you start chugging it down. A few minutes later, you feel your stomach rumbling – causing discomfort all day.
Aside from carbohydrates, mass gainers are also typically loaded with protein. Compared to carbs, protein is more difficult to digest.
Consuming large amounts of protein at once may trigger stomach discomfort, indigestion, gas, bloating, or diarrhea. You are even more likely to experience these stomach troubles if you have a sensitivity to lactose or dairy.
If you find yourself struggling with indigestion after drinking your mass gainer, you might want to avoid chugging down a shake in one go. This will give your stomach an easier time digesting and processing all the nutrients in your shake, reducing the possibility of experiencing stomach issues.
For lactose-intolerant individuals, you are less likely to have an upset stomach by choosing a lactose-free mass gainer. You might also want to consider choosing a mass gainer that contains digestive enzymes. These can help your tummy digest and absorb nutrients more efficiently.
#3 Nausea and Vomiting
Some mass gainers may taste decent. But there are some weight gain shakes that just taste terrible. When it comes to choosing your mass gainer, picking one with quality calories and a mouth-watering taste is a must.
Mass gainers are usually made available in popular Chocolate, Vanilla, or Strawberry flavors. If you are on the adventurous side, you can try mass gainers with Banana or Peanut Butter variants.
But if you are not a fan of flavored shakes, you might want to consider an Unflavored mass gainer for a neutral-tasting shake that won’t make you gag.
If you feel like vomiting after drinking your mass gainer, you may want to avoid finishing a whole serving too quickly. Drinking your shake in one go can lead you to swallow more air, which can make you feel bloated and nauseated.
It is also important to take your mass gainer at the right time. Drink your weight gain shake early in the morning, in-between meals, or before bedtime. It’s not recommended to drink your mass gainer right before working out, as this can cause stomach pains.
#4 Elevated Blood Sugar Levels
To make them taste more appealing, some mass gainers may contain high amounts of sugar and sweeteners. Depending on the brand, one serving can contain about 5g to more than 20g of sugar.
Consuming multiple servings of weight gain shakes per day can load up your body with unhealthy amounts of sugar, which can cause your blood glucose levels to shoot up.
If you are trying to watch your blood sugar levels, there are sugar-free mass gainers in the market that might be more suitable for your diet.
#5 Nutritional Deficiencies
After finishing your mass gainer shake, you will probably end up feeling full and satiated. This can end up ruining your appetite for a well-balanced meal or a healthy snack.
If you are one of those people who have a weak appetite for food, it can be easy to rely too much on a mass gainer for sustenance – but this is not the best idea. If you keep getting extremely full after drinking your weight gain shake, you might find it difficult to consume your full meal that gives you wholesome nutrients, vitamins, and minerals.
It would be a good idea to space out your mass gainer consumption throughout the day. Try to snack on fruits or veggies in between meals, take a multivitamin supplement, and eat well-rounded meals to prevent nutritional gaps in your diet.
How Do You Avoid These Side Effects?
Drinking a mass gain shake daily can be safe, as long as you follow these helpful tips:
Follow the Recommended Serving Size
For someone who wants to gain weight, you want to consume high amounts of calories each. So, does that mean you can just add more scoops of powder for fixing up your mass gain shake?
While it may sound like a good idea to throw in more scoops to your shake, that can overload your body with excessive amounts of carbs and protein that can trigger indigestion.
Follow the directions on your mass gainer’s label on how much water and how many scoops you need to create a smooth-tasting shake. This may help you avoid experiencing unwanted stomach troubles.
Pair It with An Effective Training Program
The last thing you want is to see your belly growing in size while the rest of your body stays skinny.
To get the best mass-building results from your weight gain shake, you need to follow an effective training program that stimulates lean muscle growth. Otherwise, you just end up getting a chubby physique, instead of a muscular one
Eat a Balanced Diet
Your mass gainer is just an added source of calories. It’s not a good idea to treat it as your primary source of daily nourishment.
Make sure to continue eating well-rounded meals and healthy snacks throughout the day. These will serve as your source of vitamins, minerals, and health-promoting nutrients that support daily wellness.
