Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are your direct source of energy in sport: they fill your glycogen stores, fuel hard sets and provide the calories that count when building mass. In the Gigas range you will find pure powders, modern dextrins, filling rice meals and complete weight gainers. Which source is right for you depends on your goal and when you take it. This overview will help you do just that.

Fast and long-chain carbohydrates: what the difference is

Not every source reaches your muscles equally quickly. Short-chain carbs with a high glycemic index are quickly available as energy and quickly replenish depleted glycogen stores after a hard workout. Long-chain and branched forms release their energy more evenly over a longer period of time and are easier on the stomach. Complex sources of rice are also filling and are suitable as a solid meal. Which type makes sense depends primarily on the timing: well-tolerated sustained energy is important before exercise, and quick replenishment after exercise. Those who need high daily amounts during a build-up phase often combine several forms throughout the day. The following four product groups cover these requirements, each with its own focus.

Cluster Dextrin: the modern source for training

Highly branched cyclic dextrin, or cluster dextrin for short, is one of the most modern sources of energy in sport. It leaves the stomach quickly, hardly binds any water and ensures a steady release of energy. Due to its low osmolarity, it is comfortable in the stomach even during intensive sets, which is why many athletes add it directly to their training drink. The tasteless powders are easy to mix with amino acids or a booster and hardly clump together. At Gigas, we stock several sources of HBCD, including the Cluster Dextrin from GN Laboratories, which we have selected for our range, as well as variants from Gods Rage and Biotech USA. You can get a quick overview in the cluster dextrin category.

Maltodextrin and fast carbohydrate complexes

Classic fast carbs are the first choice when you need to get going quickly after training. Maltodextrin provides rapidly available energy, quickly replenishes glycogen stores and also serves as a base for self-mixed shakes or gainers. The maltodextrin DE6 from GN Laboratories in our range has a low DE value and low osmolarity. We also offer graded complexes: Carbonox from Olimp combines several sources, CarboX from Biotech USA releases its energy with a time delay, and Glucofast from PEAK achieves particularly rapid absorption with a high glycemic index and low osmolarity. You can see which variant suits your plan in the maltodextrin overview.

Rice meals: Carbohydrates that fill you up

Sometimes the best source of energy is a real meal. Instant rice products provide complex carbs from rice, fill you up and are ready in seconds, without any cooking. This makes them convenient for breakfast, as a snack or for preparing larger portions during the week. The rice pudding from GN Laboratories is our top-rated item here and is made from extruded rice flour, which can be mixed particularly finely. Another customer favorite is the Rice Pudding Instant Meal from Gods Rage. Those who prefer a grainier texture can opt for the Instant Rice Meal from Big Zone, which is also available in a fine, gluten-free flake version. Mixed with water or milk and a little flavoring, it quickly becomes a full portion. Pure rice products are plant-based and contain no animal ingredients.

Weight gainer: calories and protein for mass gain

Pure energy is often not enough to build up mass; what counts here is the combination of carbs, protein and calories. Weight gainers combine exactly that in a shake and are particularly helpful when the daily calorie requirement can hardly be covered by normal meals. The protein it contains contributes to building and maintaining muscle mass, while the fast carbs provide the necessary energy. Our selection ranges from the high-calorie Giant Mass Gainer and Hyper Mass with added creatine to the Epic Weight Gainer from PEAK, which combines a multi-component protein of whey, casein and egg with a graduated carbohydrate matrix. As these products contain milk or egg components, they are not vegan. You can find all options in the weight gainer category.

Which carbohydrate suits your goal?

Which group makes sense for you depends on your goal and the timing. The overview summarizes the four options.