Fill up on these carbs during the off season.
Though many people are afraid of getting fat when they eat carbs, these are actually an essential part of your diet. They offer energy and can help with the bulking process. But it’s not just used for energy. For a bodybuilding pro or novice hardgainer, the right kind of carbs can be used to bulk up and put on massive size during the off season.
Our team at Generation Iron has put together a list of the best carbohydrates for hardgainers to use in order to put on size.
Best Carbs to Put on Size
Let’s break down the best carbohydrates for hardgainers to put on size.
Breakfast Cereal
Cereal is a great high calorie source while at the same time giving you great energy for a hard workout. Of course, we aren’t talking about sugary cereals here – look for cereals with high fiber content are great because it makes for slow digestion which can provide longer lasting energy reserves for a tough session in the gym.
Magic Spoon is everything you want out of your cereal in terms of taste and texture. With 11g protein, this low carb cereal has 0g sugar to provide a healthy option.
Magic Spoon takes the top spot as the best overall cereal for muscle building and taste. It delivers everything you want from a fitness-friendly cereal while capturing the nostalgic flavor of your childhood favorites. Each serving packs 13 grams of protein, making it ideal for breakfast or a post-workout refuel. With just 5 grams of net carbs and zero grams of sugar, it fits easily into low-carb, keto, and other clean-eating diets.
This cereal is gluten-free, contains no added sugars, and is completely free of artificial ingredients—so you know exactly what you’re putting in your body. Loved by athletes, nutritionists, and everyday fitness enthusiasts alike, Magic Spoon proves that you don’t have to compromise flavor for function.
Bagels
A great source of carbs for the off season hardgainer, bagels can have up to 40 grams of carbs and are simple to prepare. Bagels are a perfect on the go food that can help boost your energy levels right before a workout.
Mashed Potatoes
They may be high in calories, but then that’s exactly what a hardgainer is looking for. Post workout nutrition is just as important as pre workout and these fast acting carbs will help restore glycogen levels in the body after a workout.
Pasta
High in carbohydrates, pasta is great energy source for the hardgainer. It’s easy to prepare and by choosing the healthier whole wheat based derivative you’re guaranteed to get slow burning energy. The best part is that it goes well together with some good protein for a overall balanced meal.
Bananas
This fruit has a great amount of carb content that can be transferred directly into energy. It may not have the most calories, but it’s been shown to boost your endurance so you can push yourself harder in an extended gym session.
A Great Supplement for Carbs
When it comes to a good supplement that can help you hit your carbohydrates, Dark Matter is a great option.
Dark Matter helps put on muscle mass by increasing the protein synthesis, spiking insulin, and replenishing glycogen. Pumped with cell-voluminizing multi-phase creatine and 6 grams of essential aminos, you can't go wrong.
Don’t let your hard work in the gym go to waste—maximize your results with DARK MATTER®, a cutting-edge post-workout formula built to supercharge muscle growth and recovery. Designed to deliver nutrients at the most critical time—immediately after training—DARK MATTER uses rapid absorption technology to spike insulin levels and drive amino acids, carbs, and creatine directly into muscle tissue for maximum impact.
Clinically proven to enhance protein synthesis by up to 360%, DARK MATTER provides 6g of essential amino acids, including fast-absorbing leucine peptides, to support muscle repair and growth. The formula also features the WaxiMAX® tri-polymer carbohydrate matrix, which promotes rapid gastric emptying and optimal insulin response—without loading your system with excess sugar.
What other carb foods help with your bulking? Let us know in the comments below and be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
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Cover photo courtesy of Intense Fitness.
