One question I often hear asked about a weight gain diet is whether or not you should depend on whey protein supplements. I'm talking about protein powders, which are sometimes called liquid meals by bodybuilders.
If you think you can simply get away with using protein shakes in place of a solid diet program, there are a few things you should consider.
Am I saying you should never use protein powders? No, of course not. There will be times when it is difficult to reach your calorie target for the day, and isn't always convenient to prepare an extra meal. However, these shakes do not represent an adequate replacement for a solid and healthy meal plan.
Your body needs to be in tiptop shape, and you need to treat it like a high performance car by giving it the best fuel possible to remain in an anabolic state. Besides, drinking shakes all day without enough variety of nutrients (and often with lots of sugar) is not good for overall health regardless of its effect on muscle.
Another reason why you don't want to depend completely on these liquid meals is because you're going to get tired of eating the same thing over and over again. The taste is usually a bigger motivation than health for most people, and these protein shakes are going to get boring after a while!
Most of your diet should be coming from quality whole foods, not just from protein shakes.
The truth is that most people expect these weightlifting products to make up for an inadequate diet or a lousy training regimen. It may not be as exciting as glamorous, but focusing on the basics is more important than looking for a quick fix such as muscle building supplements.
Protein powders can be very helpful when trying to reach your daily calorie goals. You need a certain amount of grams of protein, and the supplements can help you achieve these targets when it is difficult to prepare additional meals. However, don't let these tin cans, with their often artificial ingredients and nutrient deficient powders, replace a good old fashioned meal plan.