Baby food for gaining muscle mass: reviews, proportions

Buying baby food from bodybuilders to gain muscle mass is not new for a long time. High quality hypoallergenic products that are designed specifically for the growth of baby's muscles and bones, containing all the necessary vitamins and minerals, attract the attention of both gym fans and beginners. But is this advisable, and in what proportions should an athlete take the required amount of BJU for weight gain from dry infant formula?

Why is sustainable weight gain important?

Indicators of the child’s length and body weight at birth and in the future are one of the main parameters by which the baby’s health status is assessed. WHO has established certain norms (average values) for monthly weight gain based on many factors and studies. Stable weight gain indicates normal growth and development of the baby, proper formation of the digestive system, timely production of enzymes in the intestines, good metabolism and absorption of food. A child is usually said to be underweight when his weight deviates by more than 10% compared to the age norm*. The disorder may be accompanied by decreased immunity, serious metabolic disorders, and delayed speech and psychomotor development.

Compound

Ingredients commonly found in baby food:

• lactose (milk), skimmed milk powder, coconut whey protein concentrate (milk);
• 2-palmitic acid oil, soybean oil, galactooligosaccharides (milk), palm oil, sunflower oil and less than 1%: tri calcium citrate, Mortierella alpina oil (ARA), sodium tricitrate, Crypthecodinium chohnii oil (DHA);
• calcium carbonate, potassium hydroxide, choline bitartrate, sodium L-ascorbate, choline chloride, ferrous sulfate, L-ascorbic acid, zinc sulfate;
• vitamin E acetate, inositol, niacinamide, calcium pantothenate, culin sulfate, vitamin acetate, vitamin B6 hydrochloride, riboflavin, manganese sulfate, folic acid, potassium iodide, vitamin K1, D-biotin, sodium selenate, vitamin D3, cyanocobalamin.

From the above it follows that infant formula contains all the necessary components for muscle growth , and at first glance, they are in no way inferior to sports nutrition products. But still, the composition of BJU per 100 g of dry product is very low, for example, baby food for weight gain contains too small a dose of nutrients:

• proteins – 9.3 g;
• carbohydrates – 39.6 g;
• fats – 14.4 g.

Considering that during muscle growth it is necessary to consume 2-3 g of protein per kilogram of weight (over 150 g per day), one intake of even 100 g of dry product will be catastrophically insufficient for a serious athlete. For example, whey protein contains 25-30 grams of pure protein in one measuring cup. In this case, taking baby formula is, at a minimum, not profitable, since too much powdered milk is consumed to meet the needs.

Causes of underweight

• Genetic failures and pathologies.
  This category includes chromosomal abnormalities, constitutional abnormalities (for example, diathesis), fermentopathy (malabsorption syndrome, lactase deficiency, etc.), immunodeficiency, etc. All of these factors are endogenous and almost all are congenital. Also, children born with heart defects, deformations of the lips or jaw (cleft lip, cleft palate) may be underweight, as a result of which the child cannot fully suck and, accordingly, eat food.
• Malnutrition.
  Its cause may be constant underfeeding of the baby due to flat or inverted nipples on the mother's breast, which makes sucking difficult, as well as a small amount of milk, frequent regurgitation.
• Wrong mode. Long breaks between feedings can cause insufficient weight gain. Normally, it is recommended to feed a newborn baby every 2-3 hours if he is breastfed, and every 3 hours if he is fed formula.
• Digestive problems. Intestinal infections, dysbacteriosis, ARVI, and a number of other diseases can lead to disturbances in the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. If food is not completely digested and is poorly absorbed, then the child’s body ceases to receive the vitamins and microelements necessary for normal life.

The benefits of baby food

• easy to digest;
• does not contain GMOs;
• contains proteins of animal and plant origin, saturated and unsaturated fats, fast and slow carbohydrates;
• ideal for those with sensitivity to cow's milk;
• do not cause abdominal discomfort, bloating, constipation, gases;
• have a soft, sweet taste and pleasant aroma;
• a safe, effective and nutritious alternative to homemade milk;
• The mixtures are rich in vitamins and minerals, including folic acid, iron, essential fatty acids, which support vision and the nervous system.

It is important!

The weight of a healthy full-term baby usually ranges from 2.6 to 4 kilograms, but deviations from these values ​​are allowed.
Monthly weight gain is also labile and depends on many factors. Pediatricians and parents are guided by average values ​​of body weight gain. Dr. Komarovsky recommends calculating the increase using the following formulas:

• if the child is under one year old, then his weight is m + 800n, where m is birth weight, and n is age in months;
• if the child is already one year old and up to the age of ten, use another formula, in which the normal body weight is 10 + 2n, where n is age in years;
• if the child is over 10 years old, then for the calculation they use a formula in which the normal weight is 30 + 4 * (n - 10), where n is age in years**.

What does muscle growth depend on?

Many will answer that from physical exercise. This is partly correct, but for a muscle to grow, it needs increased nutrition. A strict diet and high loads in the gym will lead to nothing but exhaustion of the body. At the same time, muscle growth depends on the quality of food and especially on the level of protein content in it. Baby food is often used to gain muscle mass. Reviews say that an excellent alternative is a healthy diet, that is, eating enough protein foods. These are milk, eggs, chicken breast, legumes, whole grain cereals. But to quickly get good results, it is recommended to use special protein supplements. Can baby food completely replace specially formulated sports nutrition formulas? Let's watch.

How to determine underweight

It is important to note that a small increase in body weight that does not correspond to average norms or its absence is not a reason to immediately talk about pathological changes in the baby’s body. For the most part, children grow in leaps and bounds and can gain a decent amount of weight in one month, and in the next two they gain almost nothing but height. Also, a small increase may be due to the baby’s increased activity. If he learns to crawl or walk, moves a lot and expends energy, then the lack of mass becomes understandable. Thus, if a child is active, inquisitive, mobile, develops in accordance with his age and has excellent tests, there is no need to worry**. But lethargy, apathy, pallor against the background of underweight are reasons for immediate contact with a specialist. Only he can make an accurate diagnosis.

Directions for use

Before starting weight training, it is advisable to consult with your doctor.

When engaging in active physical exercise with weights, you need to understand that you cannot gain weight with baby food alone. To obtain a good effect in muscle formation, it is necessary to find a reasonable balance between the consumption of baby food and natural products.

Natural products that must be consumed include products from various legumes, grains, products containing proteins and carbohydrates. The athlete must soberly understand that unbalanced and disorganized intake of foods can be harmful.

To organize nutrition, it is important to periodically consult with nutritionists. They will be able to competently advise how to properly find the balance in the consumption of food, baby food and dietary supplements for athletes.

Most athletes involved in pumping up muscles have a negative attitude towards the use of baby food. They allow its use at the beginning of the training process.

Because milk powder does not contain enough proteins to form muscle mass, but there is a lot of fat that is deposited in the body. When transferring training to a more active phase, preference is given to special food for athletes.

What to do if you are underweight

Many parents today have special scales at home for weighing babies. Thanks to them, they can control the child's weight. If the baby’s body weight does not change over a long period of time, you should contact a competent specialist, but under no circumstances make diagnoses yourself. The doctor will conduct a professional examination, give directions for the necessary examinations (if necessary) and give recommendations. If weight loss is minimal, you usually need to adjust your diet and eating habits. In cases where a small increase is caused by some disease (rotavirus infection, etc.), the doctor prescribes appropriate treatment to eliminate the cause of the lack of body weight.

Attention to nuances

The composition of the product for children in the first year of life should be as close as possible to human milk and meet the age standards and physiological needs of the child.

• If the baby has flatulence and frequent regurgitation, the specialist will recommend a mixture with special thickeners (starch).
• If constipation and dysbiosis - mixtures with additives (probiotics and prebiotics).
• If a child has problems sleeping, use substitutes with a “night formula.”
• If you are allergic to cow's milk protein, use a mixture of highly hydrolyzed proteins based on whey and casein.

You can rest assured that the doctor will choose the best option. One hundred percent it will be a well-known brand. I’ll explain why: world-famous leaders in the production of formula value their reputation, and their products comply with existing international standards and are as close as possible to the composition of breast milk.

What composition should the mixture have?

• Protein. According to the latest scientific data, excessive protein intake in the first year of a child's life can cause obesity in the future. That is why the recommended amount per liter of mixture is no more than 12–15 grams.
• Proportion of whey to casein. It is important to have more whey proteins.
• Fat composition.

It includes vegetable oils (for example, soybean, corn, sunflower), which are sources of all fatty acids and fat-soluble vitamins.

The mixture should include milk fat. Please note that it is not completely excluded from the product. Milk fat provides the body with important saturated fats, cholesterol, phospholipids, gangliosides and other substances necessary for cell function, as well as for strengthening the body's defenses and developing the child's brain.

• Polyunsaturated fatty acids. Very important! Their lack leads to a slowdown in the overall development of the child and a decrease in immunity. The mixture must contain linoleic (omega-6) and linolenic (omega-3) acids. It is also desirable that the mixture contains docosahexaenoic and arachidonic acids. They improve vision and promote brain development.

In addition, the mixtures should contain probiotics (bifidobacteria and lactobacilli). They form the basis of healthy intestinal microflora. Their presence in mixtures contributes to the formation of the intestinal ecosystem and the prevention of dysbiosis. Probiotics are needed for calcium metabolism, the formation of vitamins and hormones, as well as strengthening local and general immunity. Thanks to modern technologies, beneficial microorganisms remain viable throughout the entire shelf life of the mixture. Their effectiveness has been clinically proven.

Prebiotics (galactooligosaccharides, fructooligosaccharides, oligosaccharides) serve as a nutrient medium, in other words, food for beneficial intestinal bacteria.

Baby formula for weight gain

For low birth weight babies who have problems with weight gain, special infant formula may be recommended. Their composition takes into account the need of such babies for vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. They contain more proteins, fats and carbohydrates. The quality of the protein component is of great importance, and easily digestible whey proteins predominate over the casein fraction. To facilitate the absorption of the fat component, the diet includes medium chain triglycerides (MCTs), which can be absorbed into the intestines without the participation of enzymes. And for the absorption of carbohydrates, part of the lactose can be replaced with maltodextrin. Weight gain formulas have the word or prefix “PRE” in the product name.

Does baby food help you gain muscle mass?

To understand this, it is necessary to study the composition and nutrient content per 100 g of dry product. There are many manufacturers of baby food, as well as types of formulas according to age categories. Powdered mixtures made from cow's and goat's milk are available on the market. Goat's milk is characterized by the fact that it is much closer to mother's milk in its composition and molecular structure. This is why goat milk is preferred for feeding babies. All people, regardless of age, can benefit from drinking goat milk. Since the mixture is similar to human milk, it is better absorbed and digested.

Bodybuilders need all the nutrients found in goat milk to repair and build muscle.

Goat milk is rich in protein, which is extremely beneficial for the muscle building process.

Since goat's milk is a natural source of protein and assimilates protein better, bodybuilders are more likely to include it in their diet than cow's milk. In addition, for those who are lactose intolerant, goat milk is the best option. Children's yogurt made with goat's milk is also Goat milk protein is naturally easy to digest.

Homemade Protein Shake Recipes Using Protein Powder

Most athletes, bodybuilders and bodybuilders use ready-made protein powder as the main ingredient to prepare homemade protein shakes. Strawberry drink is considered a popular drink in the sports community; it can be made from whey protein. The recipe for 2 scoops will be as follows:

• milk – 1 cup;
• frozen strawberries - 1 cup;
• low-fat yogurt – 0.5 cups;
• peanut butter – 2 tsp;
• 6 ice cubes.

We will prepare it using a blender, mixing all the ingredients in it, and at the end we will get a high-protein cocktail with a calorie content of 186 Kcal, perfect for quickly replenishing energy reserves.

For those who need constant control of excess weight, the following recipe for a homemade protein shake, which we will prepare from whey protein at the rate of 2 scoops, would be ideal. You will need:

• 1% milk – 1 cup;
• oatmeal soaked in water - ¾ cup;
• low-fat yogurt – 2 tbsp;
• peanut butter – 2 tsp;
• 6 ice cubes.

This drink is very easy to make, just mix all the ingredients with a blender. Its calorie content is 220 kcal. Training with him will not seem difficult.

A cocktail with lots of calories

It is considered the best protein shake, thanks to it, sports will take place without losing calories.

Required ingredients:

1. Powdered milk – 3 scoops.
2. Regular milk – 250-300 ml.
3. Chicken egg – 1 pc.
4. Ice cream – 100 gr.

Choosing the liquid part of the cocktail

Smoothies are crushed ingredients mixed with any liquid part: cow's, rice, coconut or soy milk, green or red tea, ice or, at worst, water.

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The amount of liquid added to a smoothie determines how thick and rich the drink will be. If you're making a smoothie for the first time and don't know what consistency the finished product will be, start with 200-250 ml of water or milk. If the drink is too thin, add frozen yogurt or ice cubes.

Cooking features

The good thing about smoothies is that they are easy and quick to prepare at home in a blender or using a mixer. However, there are also secrets here that can make it even more useful and effective.

Universal recipe

1. Squeeze out the juice used for dilution.
2. Tear the leafy greens with your hands.
3. Blend the herbs and freshly squeezed juice (it can be replaced with water, green tea or milk drinks) in a blender for 1 minute.
4. Cut fruits and vegetables into large pieces and add them to the blender along with the berries. Beat for 1-1.5 minutes.
5. Pour into a glass, garnish on top with mint sprigs (traditional garnish), whole berries, and pre-ground nuts (be careful with them: they are very high in calories and can spoil your weight loss results).

Ideal proportions

• Fruit and berry smoothies = 40% leafy greens + 60% fruits and berries.
• Vegetables = 70% vegetables + 30% fruits and berries.
• Greens = 40% vegetables + 40% leafy greens + 20% fruits and berries.

The amount of liquid base is selected “by eye”. If you need to get a nutritious cocktail that acts as a separate dish and replaces an entire meal, add no more than 50 ml per serving (250-300 ml). In summer, to quench your thirst, you can take more liquid - 100-150 ml.

Some supplements in minimal quantities (literally a pinch) will help enhance the fat-burning effect:

• vanillin;
• goji
• ginger;
• cocoa powder;
• cinnamon;
• Peruvian poppy;
• nuts;
• protein;
• bee pollen;
• flax, sesame, chia, hemp, pumpkin, sunflower seeds;
• spirulina, kelp, chlorella;
• lemon zest.

Ideal combinations

Fruit:

• banana + pineapple + green apple + spinach;
• banana + peach + cucumber + lettuce;
• banana + dates + avocado + lettuce + soy milk + cinnamon powder;
• banana + green apple + strawberry;
• green apple + apricot + carrots + spinach;
• green apple + kiwi + strawberry;
• green apple + strawberry + black currant.

Vegetables:

• bell pepper + green apple + lettuce + pumpkin seeds;
• carrots + green apple + cucumber + avocado + spinach;
• carrots + beets + cucumber + green apple + lettuce + parsley;
• carrots + celery + green apple;
• cucumber + broccoli + pineapple;
• pumpkin + carrots.

Green:

• banana + pineapple + spinach + avocado;
• banana + green apple + lettuce;
• green apple + celery stalks + lettuce + spinach + parsley + almond milk;
• mango + cucumber + lettuce.

If you are making your own recipe, remember the golden rule: the ideal drink includes no more than 5 solid ingredients, 1-2 spices and 1 liquid for dilution.

You cannot add ice cream, jam, sugar or any other sweeteners that increase calorie content and are harmful to weight loss.

Interesting fact. In American bars, smoothies are also divided into types depending on the effect they have. Before ordering, the client is asked what exactly he wants: to relax or cheer up, cheer up or calm down, quench his thirst or eat.

Carrot milkshake

This milkshake tastes like carrot cake and is very thick and filling.
The drink is good for breakfast and also suitable for dessert. Features: due to the minimal amount of sugar and fat, high fiber and protein content, the drink is very healthy for adults and children.
There is no gluten in the drink. Nutritional value per serving: 150 calories. Ingredient Quantity Low-fat yogurt 1 cup Vanilla unsweetened almond milk 1 cup Boiled carrots, cut into pieces, cooled 3 cups Oatmeal 30 g (¼ cup) Vanilla paste 1 teaspoon Stevia extract ¾ teaspoon Orange zest ½ teaspoon Cinnamon 1.5 teaspoons Ice cubes 1.5 cups

• Volume : 3 servings
• Calories: 150 kcal/serving
• Cooking time : 30 minutes
• Difficulty: requires effort

How to prepare:

1. Place all ingredients in a powerful blender and blend until smooth.
2. For taste, add stevia, cinnamon, ice, and a pinch of salt to taste.
3. Serve in glasses with natural whipped cream.
4. The top of the cocktail can be decorated with cinnamon, unsweetened grated coconut, and chopped walnuts.

Advice! This milkshake is low in calories and fat; you can add 1 tablespoon of almond or nut butter to the blender to increase the level a little.

How to drink the drink

People involved in sports should use the cocktail especially carefully. The following rule applies here: for the “elixir” to work effectively, you will need to drink it before or after training with an interval of 30–40 minutes.

Use in the morning (after waking up) is universal for everyone. At this time, the body especially needs energy replenishment. If you drink a cocktail before bed, you will be able to replenish the energy lost during the day, save it, and create reserves.

Recipes for home cooking

Making protein drinks yourself allows you to choose your own flavor combination. They can be made with fruit and even chocolate! A few simple recipes will help diversify men's nutrition when gaining weight.

• Protein drink with strawberries. You will need 150 g of low-fat cottage cheese, 250 ml of milk, 150 g of fresh strawberries and sugar to taste. Grind the ingredients in a blender or shaker, after kneading the cottage cheese and strawberries until smooth.
• Protein cocktail with chocolate. To prepare, you need 150 g of cottage cheese and 250 ml of low-fat milk; cocoa is added to your taste. By adding honey or sugar to the drink, you can achieve weight gain.
• Banana smoothie with jam. You need: 250 ml of milk, 150 g of cottage cheese and 1.5 bananas. You can choose any jam, on average 2-3 teaspoons. Bananas and jam with sugar will add calories to the drink, which has a positive effect on weight gain.

Basic products and recipes

Working on the body makes you think about what to eat and in what quantities. Achieving an ideal figure is not as easy as it might seem at first glance. Attention should be paid to the products consumed. Simple cocktail recipes allow you to try new types every day, choosing your favorite flavors.

For the base you need to use kefir or milk, and as protein - cottage cheese and eggs. Not everyone will like drinking a drink made only from fermented milk products, so it is recommended to use jam, sugar and honey. Fresh berries and fruits will add flavor and vitamins to the mixture. For home cooking, you need to use a blender, and to mix ready-made mixtures, you need a shaker. The ideal temperature of the drink is 36-38 degrees.

A few simple recipes:

1. 100 g cottage cheese, a glass of milk, 2 tbsp. spoons of oatmeal are mixed together and crushed with a blender, 1 spoon of natural honey is added for taste.
2. Half a liter of milk, 100 g of ice cream without flavors and other additives, 2 bananas, vanillin and cinnamon. All ingredients are whipped in a blender and divided into several steps.
3. One egg, 1 tbsp. spoon of honey, 1 tbsp. a spoonful of nuts of your choice and a glass of kefir. First, finely chop the nuts, mix all the ingredients together and beat with a blender.
4. Beat egg powder with 50 ml of milk, add 200 g of cottage cheese, 5 chicken eggs, 2 tbsp. spoons of honey, 1 tbsp. a spoonful of sour cream and a handful of berries. Grind thoroughly in a blender to a liquid homogeneous mass and divide into several portions.

It is also good to use protein powder to make sports drinks. Cocktails based on it increase the effectiveness of training and help you recover faster after exercise. Ingredients: 0.5 milk, 100 g low-fat cottage cheese, 50 g protein powder, 1 chicken egg and a few tablespoons of syrup. Preparation does not take much time: milk is whipped together with part of the powder, then cottage cheese is added, mixed and protein is added again. After whipping, the volume should be approximately 0.5 liters. Next, you need to add fruit syrup or selected berries to your taste and mix again with a blender.

Protein milkshake with greens

Many people like the taste of greens, especially the aroma of spinach.
Now you can use this product to make a healthy low-calorie milkshake. Features: original refreshing taste.
The calorie content of a serving is no more than 180 kcal. Ingredient Quantity Cow's milk or unsweetened almond milk 1 cup Peeled spinach leaves 20-25 leaves Pineapple 3-4 slices Banana 1 piece Chia seeds 1 tbsp. spoon Flaxseed flour 1 tbsp. spoon Ice cubes 3-4 pieces

• Volume : 1 serving
• Calories: 180 kcal/serving
• Will be ready : in 10-15 minutes
• Difficulty: not difficult

Cooking:

• Place all ingredients (except ice) in a blender and blend until the mixture is smooth.
• Then add a few ice cubes and beat again for a while.