Arion Posted February 19, 2011 Share Posted February 19, 2011 Maltodextrin Alternatives for Weight Gain? I've noticed many commercial weight gain drinks contain maltodextrin. And I've read here some are adding maltodextrin to their protein drinks for additional calories for weight gain. From a more healthy perspective, the following foods seem like they would be a better alternative since they are available organic. Maltodextrin is made from corn. Most commercial corn comes from GMO corn. The following numbers came from Nutrition Facts for each food. It is not clear how many grams of Maltodextrin make up 1 Teaspoon, so I will assume 4. Maltodextrin 1 gram = 4 calories, 1 Teaspoon = 16 calories? Dehydrated Sugar Cane Juice (Sucanat) 1 Teaspoon = 15 calories Date Sugar 1 Teaspoon = 11 calories Brown Rice Syrup 1 Teaspoon = 27.5 calories Barley Malt Syrup 1 Teaspoon = 30 calories It would seem the Brown Rice and Barley Malt Syrup are the best alternative due to the high calorie content. I think all of these foods are classified as Complex Carbohydrates vs Simple Carbohydrates (Glucose). I have eaten these foods in the past, but I have not put them to a real world test in terms of strategic weight gain. Also whether adding them to a drink or directly to food in terms of flavor profile, ease of digestion, and amount is something I plan to test. Eastern medicine classifies Brown Rice/Barley Malt Syrup, Dates, Sucanat as energy tonic foods and facilitate weight gain. Reference: Planetary Herbology by Dr. Michael Tierra, The Yoga of Herbs by Dr. Vasant Lad Any thoughts on this topic appreciated! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fallen_Horse Posted February 19, 2011 Share Posted February 19, 2011 (edited) How about eating some fruit? Edited February 20, 2011 by Fallen_Horse Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arion Posted February 19, 2011 Author Share Posted February 19, 2011 Also Agave Syrup 1 Teaspoon = 30 calories Maple Syrup 1 Teaspoon = 17 calories Coconut Palm Sugar 1 Teaspoon = 15 calories Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisjs Posted February 20, 2011 Share Posted February 20, 2011 I can't imagine that organic sugar really makes any difference in being healthy, but if that's important to you I have no argument against it other than cost. Assuming that adding sugars is the right way to go, you may just want to avoid ones high in fructose (such as agave) sinces there's supposedly a daily limit to what the liver can process. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fallen_Horse Posted February 20, 2011 Share Posted February 20, 2011 How about eating some fruit? I was being sarcastic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob_T Posted February 21, 2011 Share Posted February 21, 2011 organic/non GMO maltodextrin should be available if you look for it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arion Posted February 21, 2011 Author Share Posted February 21, 2011 How about eating some fruit? I was being sarcastic. Thanks, we all need a little sarcasm and humor in this game of gain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arion Posted February 21, 2011 Author Share Posted February 21, 2011 organic/non GMO maltodextrin should be available if you look for it Thank you, I located some at breworganic.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arion Posted February 21, 2011 Author Share Posted February 21, 2011 I purchased a jar of Organic Brown Rice Syrup by Lundberg Farms today The label lists 1 Teaspoon = 25 calories I added 1 Tablespoon to 1 cup of unsweetened hemp milk and 4 tablespoons of hemp protein powder The flavor profile was very good and no stomach upset 1 Tablespoon rice syrup 75 calories 1 Cup unsweetened hemp milk 60 calories 4 Tablespoons hemp protein 130 calories Total 265 calories Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fallen_Horse Posted February 21, 2011 Share Posted February 21, 2011 Ok I see what you are going for here. Why not use stevia or sucralose? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arion Posted February 21, 2011 Author Share Posted February 21, 2011 Ok I see what you are going for here. Why not use stevia or sucralose? Stevia = Low or no calories Sucralose = Artificial Extra calories and organic non toxic is what I am going for Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arion Posted February 21, 2011 Author Share Posted February 21, 2011 I purchased a jar of Organic Brown Rice Syrup by Lundberg Farms today The label lists 1 Teaspoon = 25 calories I added 1 Tablespoon to 1 cup of unsweetened hemp milk and 4 tablespoons of hemp protein powder The flavor profile was very good and no stomach upset 1 Tablespoon rice syrup 75 calories 1 Cup unsweetened hemp milk 60 calories 4 Tablespoons hemp protein 130 calories Total 265 calories I forgot to add 1 medium Banana = 100 calories Total = 365 calories Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fallen_Horse Posted February 21, 2011 Share Posted February 21, 2011 Do you have a good blender? Dates would be a much healthier way to add calories and sugar to a diet than using a processed sugar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arion Posted February 22, 2011 Author Share Posted February 22, 2011 Do you have a good blender? Dates would be a much healthier way to add calories and sugar to a diet than using a processed sugar. Yes, I have a good blender Fresh dates are on my "building foods" list As the title of this thread implies, I'm exploring alternatives to maltodextrin Thanks for the insight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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