Problem for gym people in Nepal: Supplements and Diets
Recently, I have observed a significant rise in the prices of supplements consumed by gymnastics in Nepal. As I am returning to the gym after some time, I am concerned about the huge price hike and am writing this article to inform people about price change differences and what can be the best solution in this scenario for budget-limited gymnasts. Below are my research on supplements in the context of Nepal focusing on price:
ON Whey Protein Gold Standard [5 lbs — 2.27 KG; 74 servings]
I asked for the price of ON whey on 25th February (Before 2.5 months) the price set on the official site was 13,000 rs but within 2.5 months, currently new price is 18890 = 19000 rs
Difference: 19000–13000 = 6000 rs within 2.5 months
If you want to consume this, it will cost you 19000 for 74 servings. If you save it by not consuming it on Saturdays and non-gym days, you can use it for a maximum of 3 months. In this context, it will cost you 19000/3 = 6333.33 rs per month (211.11 per scoop)
- Expenditure on ON Whey 74 servings per month: 6335 rs
- Cheapest Option:
For a budget-friendly scheme, you can consume MuscleBlaze Raw Whey
MuscleBlaze Raw Whey [1 KG; 33servings]
It’s been a long time since I last bought raw whey. As much as I remember, a year ago, I used to buy it for around 3000 rs. The current price is 4200 rs. The price difference of raw whey is understandable due to inflation and price hikes in material costs.
- Difference: 4200–3000 = 1200 rs
If you want to consume this, it will cost you 4200 for 33 servings: around 4000 rs per month (133.33 per scoop)
- Expenditure on MuscleBlaze Raw Whey 33 servings per month: 4000 rs
Creatine (MB & ON Comparison)
The price difference between creatine brands is crazy huge. The price of ON creatine 57 servings is 4990 (4990/57*30 = 2626 rs per month). I don’t know what the exact price was before but it certainly increased a lot. Whereas, the price of MuscleBlaze creatine 83 servings is 2800 (2800/83*30 = 1012 rs per month). Personally, I think both brand of creatine is almost the same only difference is servings per scoop which is 3g in MuscleBlaze and 5g in ON. Calculating it gm wise, ON costs 4990/57*5 = 17.5 rs per gram. Whereas, MuscleBlaze costs 2800/83*3 = 11.24 per gram. So, in terms of 200 grams, ON cost = 17.5*200 = 3500 and MuscleBlaze cost = 11.24*200 = 2248 rs
- Difference between ON & MB Creatine: 3500–2248 = 1252 rs in 200 gms
Since both creatine is similar, I suggest using MuscleBlaze as it is more budget-friendly. If you want to consume this, it will cost you 2800 for 83 servings. If you save it by not consuming it on Saturdays and non-gym days, you can use it for 3 months easily. In this context, it will cost you 2800/3 = 933.33 rs per month
- Expenditure on MuscleBlaze creatine per month: 935 rs
- Cheapest Option:
For a budget-friendly scheme, you can consume MuscleBlaze Creatine
MuscleBlaze Multi-Vitamin [120N Tablets]
The price of Muscleblaze Multi-Vitamin is more than doubled!! I bought a multivitamin around May 2022 at 1299 rs (before a year). But when I searched for the product price I got shocked! Its current price is 2800 rs for the same 120 tablets!
- Difference: 2800–1300 = 1500 rs within 1 year
If you want to consume this, it will cost you 2800 for 120 servings i.e. 2800/120*30 = 700 rs per month
- Expenditure on MuscleBlaze 120N Tablets per month: 700 rs
- Cheapest Option
Among other multivitamins in the market, I found this one to be the cheapest even though the price rise is crazy.
CONCLUSION
The price hike of supplements in Nepal is overkill. The reason is unclear and no one has raised any issues or concerns regarding it. When I look into the prices of supplements in India, it pains me as it’s very much cheap there. So, probably due to the over-taxation of these products, the prices have risen so much.
Get Shadowtimals’s stories in your inbox
Join Medium for free to get updates from this writer.
For a budget-friendly diet, I suggest not buying protein as you can get enough protein from other sources that you can buy at a cheaper price such as eggs, meat, yogurt, beans, tofu, soy chunks, etc. You can use MuscleBlaze creatine and Multivitamins for better performance and supplements as it would be a cheaper option consisting of all necessary diets. I target 150g of protein every day. For that, my diet plan is as follows:
- 200 gm chicken breast = 62gm
- 200 gm Yogurt = 20gm
- 5 piece egg = 30gm
- 2 cup milk = 10gm
- 50 gm Oats = 5gm
- 1 bowl Dal = 4 gm
- 50 gm Soy Chunks = 25gm (17gm absorbed)
- Total: 62+20+30+10+5+5+4+17=153gm
Others: Banana, Peanut Butter, Creatine, Multivitamins
Routine:
- Before gym:
1 egg, 1 banana
Yogurt, soy chunks
Creatine - After gym:
Protein
1 egg
Oats, Peanut butter, milk, banana, muesli - Lunch:
Dal, Vat, Tarkari, 1 egg
Masu
Yogurt
Soy chunks - Lunch 2:
Any mild-heavy lunch including meat
Possibly: Meat+Rice - Lunch 3:
Yogurt, Soy chunks, 1 egg - Dinner:
Dal, Vat, 1 egg
Masu
Yogurt - Post-dinner meal:
Milk+muesli
Peanut butter
Multivitamins
With this routine and extra supplement of currently the most budget-friendly branded creation and multi-vitamin it would be enough for all enrichment for intermediate-level trainers. Calculating the price,
- 200gm Chicken Breast = 100 rs daily
- 200gm Yogurt = 75 rs daily
- For daily 5-piece eggs, 4 crates a month would suffice so, 1600 rs monthly
- Neglect calculation of Milk, Oats, Dal, Soy Chunks, and others as home material supplies (Not bought exclusively for gym diet)
Total natural diet price per month = (100+75)*24+1600 = 5800 rs per month (Less than protein powder)
- MuscleBlaze Creatine = 935 rs per month
- MuscleBlaze Multi-vitamin = 700 rs per month
- Total cost of Supplement diet = 935+700 = 1635 rs per month
So, Total supplement diet = 5800+1635 = 7435 rs per month
This amount is minimal that you should spend for well-rounded nutrients. Of course, Supplement diet (1635 rs) creatine and multi-vitamin are optional but these are required for optimal growth in both strength and body.
