Mass gainers?

[patience123]

My boyfriend just got a suppliment that is like a protein shake, except that it has 1200 calories, 50g protein and 225 carbs per serving! He wants to gain weight (muscle mass, not fat), but I'm wondering if this is even healthy? He's a good weight now (healthy, nice built). He does workout, (maybe twice a week or so). Although he does have a fast metabolism, he's not one of those supper skinny guys who can't gain weight no matter what they do.
I wish I remembered what it's called so that I can post ingredients, but I do know that the first ingredient is Maltodextrin and it also has creatine in it.

So I'm wondering if this is a healthy way to get bigger without getting fat (just seems like a lot of calories all at once + they're not from regular food).
And if so, when is the best time to take this? I'm guessing post workout?

[TheDeliverator]

There are some gainers out there that have only a gram or two of sugar, and possess complex carbs. That being said, I have yet to see those do much for anyone unless they are eating big on top of them.

I don't know the science behind nutrition (Erik, of course, would be the person to ask), but, I train with a group of lifters that range from 148-SHW (308+) and I can tell you, that none of our big guys got there using gainers.

[Leah]

Nothing special about them....just an easy way to get calories in...you can certainly make your own. You can't say that it will help you gain mass w/o fat because like anything, that comes down to energy balance....if you're eating way more than you need to eat in order to gain, you'll gain fat no matter where you're getting the calories from. And remember, in order to gain muscle you need to eat at a surplus so some of what you gain is likely to be fat anyway. Consider a gainer an easier way to get your calories in. It's just another food source is all.