You put in so much effort in your workouts, but have you ever given a thought on your post-workout nutrition. It is important to replenish the lost nutrients in the form of sweat so that you don’t feel fatigue and muscle soreness, especially after intense workouts. Mass gainer and whey protein supplements are the two most popular ones in the fitness world. It can be difficult to decide which one will be best for you. Each one of us has different fitness goals and it would be beneficial that you choose a supplement that aligns with your fitness goals. Whether you want to gain weight, lose weight, or build strength and stamina, there is a GNC fitness supplement for you. 

Mass gainer vs. whey protein - which is best for you? 

One of the biggest debates in the fitness world is – mass gainer vs. whey protein. There is no correct answer to which one is better. It all depends on your ultimate fitness goals and what you want to accomplish in terms of fitness. Mass gainer is ideal for those who want to gain weight in a healthy way without adding any extra fat to their body. If you are a slow gainer and have a fast metabolism, then you can ask your trainer about the best mass gainer supplements for you. On the other hand, if you want to improve your workout performance, build stamina and lean muscle mass, then a whey protein supplement would be ideal for you. 

Mass gainer benefits include – it is rich in carbohydrates which supply ample energy to push you through your workouts, help in muscle growth and development, provides high quality protein in each serving to help you gain weight without adding any extra fat to your body. 

The main benefits of whey protein powder are – boost immunity, helps with post-workout recovery, reduces fatigue and tiredness especially after intense workouts, helps build lean muscle mass, improves stamina and exercise performance. You can check out the complete range of whey protein supplements by GNC. 

5 delicious post-workout smoothies enriched with strawberry GNC weight gainer 

Try these amazing post-workout smoothies to get the boost of energy and refuel your body. 

1. Strawberry Peanut Butter Smoothie

Chocolate and peanut-butter is a much loved combination, but have you ever tried strawberry and peanut-butter? It tastes delicious and gives your smoothies a rich creamy texture. Add to that the power of a mass gainer supplement and you’ll be good to go! 

Ingredients 

  • 2 tbsp peanut butter (creamy or crunchy)
  • ½ cup strawberries (fresh or frozen)
  • 1 cup unsweetened milk (you can take dairy or plant based milk of your choice)
  • 2 scoops GNC strawberry weight gainer powder 

Method 

  • Put all the ingredients in a high speed blender jar and blend for about 30 -45 seconds. 
  • If the consistency of the smoothie is too thick, you can add more milk or water, 
  • Transfer to a glass and enjoy! 

2. Strawberry Orange Smoothie 

This smoothie is such a refresher on those hot and humid days. It is super simple to make and will become your favorite. Strawberries are rich in antioxidants that prevent damage caused by free radicals. Have it post your exercise session to feel charged up for the day. 

Ingredients 

  • 1 cup fresh orange juice 
  • 2 scoops strawberry weight gainer powder 
  • ½ cup frozen or fresh strawberries 
  • 1 tsp honey (optional)
  • 1 frozen banana 

Method 

  • Place all the ingredients in a blender jar and blend for 30 seconds or until you get a smooth consistency. 
  • If the consistency is too thick, you can add more water or orange juice. 
  • Transfer to a glass, add ice, and enjoy it chilled! 

3. Avocado and Strawberry Smoothie 

If you are a fan of avocados, then this is the perfect smoothie recipe for you. You might have eater guacamole or avocado on toast with eggs as breakfast, but this combination of avocados and strawberries in a smoothie is a match made in heaven. The creamy texture of avocado is unmatched and added to that the goodness of a mass gainer supplement. 

Ingredients 

  • ½ cup water 
  • 2 scoops GNC strawberry mass gainer powder
  • 1 frozen banana
  • 2 tbsp honey 
  • 1 cup chopped avocado
  • ½ cup strawberries (fresh or frozen)
  • ½ cup milk of your choice (dairy based or plant based)

Method 

  • Put strawberries, frozen banana, and avocado in a blender jar and blend until smooth. 
  • Add water, milk, honey, and mass gainer powder to it and blend again for 45 seconds.
  • Transfer to a glass. Garnish with strawberries and serve chilled. 

4. Mango, Peach, and Strawberry Smoothie 

For summers when you want something cool and refreshing, but don’t want to compromise on your diet or health this is the perfect smoothie recipe. You can easily make it at home and since it has the goodness of mass gainer supplement, it is completely guilt free. You can also replace the mass gainer with whey protein in this smoothie recipe. 

Ingredients 

  • 1 cup mango chunks 
  • ½ cup diced strawberries (frozen or fresh)
  • 1 frozen banana
  • 1 cup peaches (peeled and sliced)
  • 1 scoops GNC strawberry mass gainer powder 
  • ½ cup water 

Method 

  • Place all the ingredients in a blender jar and blend well for 30 seconds. 
  • If the consistency is too thick, you can add more water. To adjust the sweetness you can add honey or any other sweetener of choice. 
  • Transfer to a glass and enjoy 

5. Triple Berry Smoothie 

Berries are considered super-foods because they are rich in antioxidants. If you find it difficult to eat berries on a regular basis, then you can try this recipe. It has the goodness of different kinds of berries, mass gainer to provide the right nutrients including vitamins and minerals, and spinach for your daily dose of iron. 

Ingredients 

  • ½ cup baby spinach leaves 
  • 1 cup mixed berries – strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries (fresh or frozen)
  • 1 frozen banana 
  • ½ cup low-fat Greek yogurt 
  • 2 scoops strawberry mass gainer powder 

Method 

  • Place all the ingredients in a high-speed blender jar and blend well for 45 seconds. 
  • Transfer to a glass and serve chilled. 

Make sure to consult your doctor and trainer before including any new mass gainer supplement in your routine. Go through the dosage instructions mentioned on the pack. Do not consume excess amount as it may cause side-effects like – nausea, vomiting, headache, stomach cramps, diarrhea, gas etc.