A 150 g serving of Critical Mass by Applied Nutrition delivers about 566 calories, 42 g protein, and 75 g carbs when mixed with water.
Sugars
Protein
Calories
150 g With Water
- ~566 kcal • 42 g protein
- Fast to drink
- Lowest sugar
Standard
150 g With Milk
- ~800 kcal • 52–55 g protein
- Thicker texture
- More calcium
Creamier
Half Serving 75 g
- ~283 kcal • 21 g protein
- Easier on appetite
- Bridges meals
Lighter
Critical Mass By Applied Nutrition: Full Label Breakdown
The base numbers are consistent across well-documented listings. Per 100 g of powder you get 377 kcal, 28 g protein, 49.8 g carbs, 6.7 g fat, and 1.9 g sugars. A full serving is 150 g, which lands at 566 kcal, 42 g protein, 74.7 g carbs, 10 g fat, and 2.9 g sugars. The blend also supplies a 5 g creatine matrix per full serving. These values mirror the tub’s panel shared by reputable retailers.
| Nutrient | Per 100 g | Per 150 g |
|---|---|---|
| Energy (kcal) | 377 | 566 |
| Protein | 28 g | 42 g |
| Carbohydrate | 49.8 g | 74.7 g |
| of which sugars | 1.9 g | 2.9 g |
| Fat | 6.7 g | 10 g |
| Saturates | 1.4 g | 2.1 g |
| Fibre | 3.1 g | 4.6 g |
| Salt | 0.18 g | 0.27 g |
| Creatine matrix | 3.3 g | 5 g |
That puts this shake in dense-meal territory with very low sugar for a gainer. Oats supply steady carbs and a touch of fibre while maltodextrin brings quick fuel. The protein mix leans on milk protein isolate, whey isolate, and whey concentrate, so you get both fast and slower digestion. Expect small swings between flavours, but the macro shape holds steady across the range.
What The Numbers Mean For Your Day
Think of one 150 g mix as a compact meal. The energy covers a long training block or a hungry mid-afternoon. The 42 g protein covers a big slice of daily targets. In UK hospital dietetic leaflets, a healthy adult baseline often starts at 0.75 g protein per kilogram of body weight; this single shake moves many people most of the way there, depending on size and training. RNI 0.75 g/kg reference.
Added sugars stay low when you use water, which helps keep daily totals in check. On U.S. labels, the daily value for added sugars is 50 g on a 2,000-calorie diet, and this drink sits far under that. FDA added sugars DV.
Ingredients And What They Do
Ground oats. The backbone carbohydrate with a modest fibre lift and a smoother energy curve than straight sugar.
Maltodextrin. A fast-digesting carb that blends easily. Handy right after lifting when you want to refill glycogen without heavy chewing.
Protein blend. Milk protein isolate for slower release plus whey isolate and concentrate for speed. That combination keeps amino acids rolling for hours.
Creatine. The panel shows a 5 g matrix in a full pour. That’s a standard daily amount for lifters chasing strength and short-burst output.
MCT and CLA powders. Small bumps to calories and mouthfeel, keeping the texture richer without turning the shake oily.
Leucine, HMB, HICA, glutamine peptides. Supportive amino additions that complement the main protein rather than replace it.
Digestive enzymes & probiotics. Lactase and friends aim to keep a big shake easier on the gut; many users report smoother sipping with enzyme-fortified blends.
Serving Sizes, Mixes, And Timing
You’ve got three go-to set-ups. A full 150 g serving with water delivers the published macros fast. Swapping water for milk bumps energy and protein further. A half serving works as a bridge when appetite is low or you’re spacing calories across the day. The tub suggests 500 ml liquid for a full mix; adjust to taste and shaker size.
When To Drink
Post-workout: The blend covers quick and slow proteins plus enough carbs to back recovery right after your session.
Between meals: If you struggle to eat bigger plates, a half serving tops up intake without feeling heavy.
Evening slot: A smaller mix works well thanks to the slow-digesting milk proteins.
Mixing Tips That Keep Texture Smooth
Weigh the powder. Scoops vary by pack and humidity. Start with cool liquid, add powder in thirds, and shake between additions. Let the shaker rest for a minute so oats hydrate. If you add milk, expect a thicker pour and an energy bump from dairy carbs and fat.
Macro Impact By Mixing Method
Change the liquid and the numbers shift. Milk adds energy and a little extra protein. Here’s a quick view for a 150 g serving with typical milk values. These are estimates; brands differ.
| Method | Calories/Protein | What To Expect |
|---|---|---|
| Water | ~566 kcal / 42 g protein | Lightest texture; fastest to sip |
| Skim milk | ~690–710 kcal / 52–55 g protein | Creamier drink; small lactose bump |
| Whole milk | ~800–820 kcal / 52–55 g protein | Richer mouthfeel; higher energy |
Half Serving For Smaller Gaps
Run 75 g powder when you just need a top-up. With water that’s close to 283 kcal, 21 g protein, and 37 g carbs. New to mass gainers? Sip slowly and let the shake settle between pulls; pacing helps comfort.
Flavour Swaps And Small Label Shifts
Chocolate, vanilla, banana, and limited flavours nudge totals by a few calories. Cocoa blends can carry a touch more fibre. Vanilla sits closest to the base panel. Retailers that publish both the per-100 g and per-150 g numbers show the same macro pattern across tastes, with the swing coming from flavouring solids and sweeteners.
Who Benefits Most From This Gainer
Hard gainers: If you struggle to get enough energy from solid meals alone, this mix shortens the distance to a surplus.
Busy lifters: It’s an easy way to cover a big chunk of the day’s intake on long workdays.
Field athletes: When training volume spikes, liquid calories slide in without slowing you down.
How To Read The Panel Like A Pro
Scan carbs first. You’re getting a mix of slow and fast sources, so match the serving to the day. Heavy legs session? The full serving helps. Rest day? A half serving or milk swap keeps intake measured.
Check protein next. A blend that includes milk protein isolate keeps amino release steady, which suits both recovery and between-meal slots.
Salt and fibre sit low, which keeps flavour clean and drinkability high.
Stacking Without Overdoing It
The blend already includes ~5 g creatine per full serving. If you take a separate creatine product, account for that here; once muscles are saturated, extra isn’t needed. Most people pair this shake with a simple omega-3 capsule if their weekly fish intake is low. Keep stimulants separate; the taste is better without them.
Simple Planning For Daily Targets
Pick a daily protein goal, then shape the rest of your meals around it. Many healthy adults land near 0.75–1.2 g per kilogram of body weight, with athletes leaning higher. One shake supplies 42 g, so you can fill the remainder with lean mains, dairy, eggs, beans, or meat. If your menu includes sweet items, the low-sugar profile here helps keep the daily tally under typical caps such as the 50 g added sugars limit on U.S. labels.
Carb needs swing with training. On a heavy day, run the full 150 g. On a lighter day, choose the half serving or mix with milk for a softer ramp. The goal is steady progress without forcing intake.
Quality Notes And Allergen Heads-Up
The formula contains milk and soy and uses oats that contain gluten. If you’re sensitive to any of these, read the flavour’s panel before purchase, since factories and batches can differ by region. Many product pages also flag Halal certification.
Label Source And Cross-Checks
The figures in this guide reflect panels shared by the brand and trusted retailers that publish both per-100 g and per-150 g numbers. If you want to double-check before scooping, compare your tub against a current retailer panel that lists energy, protein, carbs, fat, sugars, fibre, salt, and the creatine matrix.