More unique than the other products, NOW Foods provides a vegetarian and vegan friendly option to those who wish to bulk up. It’s less expensive that the competition, which is at least in part because it isn’t an all-in-one product. Carbo Gain is an entirely maltodextrin powder. Maltodextrin is a complex carbohydrate derived from corn that is easily digestible and then is rapidly absorbed into the body as quickly as glucose. This quick absorption rate makes maltodextrin powders, and thus Carbo Gain, great for use prior to, during, and after hard workouts. It also has low osmolality, meaning that it doesn’t absorb much water from the rest of the body. Make sure you know how this fits into a dietary/fitness plan, though. You’ll want to pair this product with another source of protein if your goal is to pack on the muscle mass. That being said, this is still a great option for increasing your calorie intake, especially if you find yourself unable to simply eat more food.
Nutritional Info
A serving size of Carbo Gain is 2/3 cup (67g). In that serving you get 250 calories that all come from carbs, 63g total. Only 2 of those grams of carbs are from sugar. Carbo Gain suggests that you mix with water or juice, and it is worth noting that adding juice will increase your carb intake, as well as sugar.Carbo Gain can be mixed with other supplements in order to create a more dynamic nutritional profile. 67g of carbohydrates is a fairly high number that could be easily worked into the 45/35/20 ratio exemplified in MHP’s weight gainer. Of course, don’t forget vitamins as well!
Effectiveness
Carbo Gain is very effective for what it is. Remember, its goal isn’t to give you lots of calories to bulk up, its goal is to give you lots of carbs to increase athletic performance via the energy to keep going and a speedier recovery to get back to work faster. That kept in mind, Carbo Gain does successfully deliver carbohydrates to the body for energy. It keeps the body’s glycogen levels up for ATP, and also helps block muscle wasting. Users report that it mixes well, whether that be simply with water or a wealth of other things.Many seem to use this product in conjunction with others in order to make their own weight gain shakes. Buying pure maltodextrin like this does allow you to do that. Throw in the fact that it’s just about the cheapest around, and you’ve got pretty good incentive. Furthermore, you can opt to subscribe to the product if you know you’ll be using it long term and reap some additional savings compared to the one-time purchasers.Overall, this can and does help with weight gain (due to simply boosting your calories) and your workouts.
The Difference
Since Carbo Gain is not an all-in-one weight gainer product, it has more varied uses. Just want some carbs to top off your energy after a long run? Then this is great! Feel dissatisfied with the prices or ingredients of other weight gainer products on the market? Use this in conjunction with protein powder and other supplements to make your own! In need of some extra calories that won’t fill you up? Carbo Gain doesn’t fill you up and doesn’t taste like anything, so it’s an easy way to sneak in extra calories.NOW foods also provides a vast array of other products, meaning that if you like their quality and company, you can choose to make your own weight gainer utilizing primarily their supplements.
Breakdown
NOW Foods Carbo Gain is the product for you if:
- You’re looking for a product that only provides carbohydrates.
- You’re a vegan or vegetarian.
- You want to make your own gainer formula.
- You want to save some money.
NOW Foods Carbo Gain is not so great if:
- You’re looking for an all-in-one product to satisfy your needs.
- You don’t want products derived from corn.
The Bottom Line
Carbo Gain can be a great option for many that are seeking something a little different from the all-in-one weight gainers out there. One big plus is that this product is both vegetarian and vegan-friendly, something difficult to find elsewhere, especially concerning vegans who can’t participate in whey protein isolate. It has a solid 4.4/5 stars on Amazon, making the review overwhelmingly positive. Many people appreciate the flexibility in adding this to other supplements or simply taking it on its own for a boost in their calorie intake. Last but not least, it’s an effective, fast way of providing your body with more energy to keep going and/or aid in recovery! A few concerns include the packaging; it can be difficult to get in and out of the tub without spilling dust or creating a powder cloud and thus making a mess everywhere. If you’re willing to dedicate the time to be extra careful, however, it shouldn’t be a problem.