MRP for College?

[JRJ26]

I'm starting college next week, and I'm looking to gain weight and muscle. I'm not looking to be a body builder or anything, but just to look better. I'm around 5'8, and weigh about 136 pounds. I recently started using 100% Whey Protein from GNC, using it in the morning(after waking), after I lift weights, and again at night. That's about 60 grams of protein, just from the shake. I'll continue using it in college.

Now i'm sure everyone in college knows that they will most likely not be eating 3 full meals in the dining hall, b/c of schedules, etc. So i've been thinking about using an MRP in addition to the whey, daily. Would this make sense? I'll definitely try to have 3 meals a day or more, but it might not always be possible, esp. in college. Would a MRP be ideal? What about weight gainers? Yes, I've already read all of the old threads about WGs, and everyone typically recommends just eating. Well, would it make sense to use it in addition? Basically, I'd just like some opinions on what would be ideal for a college student looking to gain weight and muscle.

So, what I use is the GNC 100% Whey Protein, and I'm now looking at(in addition), the GNC Mega MRP Extreme or the Mega MRP, and the GNC Weight Gainer.

 

[redspy]

If you can't guarantee you'll have time for all regular meals then MRPs are a good idea to ensure you get adequate protein and other nutrients in your diet. You've made several references to GNC in your post but you'll find much better deals on the Web. Look around at some of the board sponsors like Bulknutrition.com

Also, remember to search before you post, there are a ton of threads relating to MRPs, e.g.

http://www.ironmagazineforums.com/showthread.php?t=23383&highlight=MRP
http://www.ironmagazineforums.com/showthread.php?t=28208&highlight=MRP
http://www.ironmagazineforums.com/showthread.php?t=17087&highlight=MRP

 

[gococksDJS]

Buy your protein somewhere else. GNC is overpriced as hell.

 

[instant]

I'm a college student at LSU and we have a huge campus - it keeps me on the move and I usually bring 2 packs of peanut butter crackers and make 1 MRP for the day while I'm on campus. Just make sure you get in breakfast and some food after your day is over. Then do your workout take your whey protein and eat dinner later, I think you will find yourself eating late as college keeps you up quite a bit. If you count the 2 packs of pb crackers and the mrp as 1 meal I'd say I never eat less than 4 meals and I try to keep it around 6.

 

[BIG C]

Buy your protein somewhere else. GNC is overpriced as hell.

Yeah, check out the net, you can find a lot better prices than GNC.

 

[JRJ26]

Yeah, I was browsing the old posts and found that most here don't use GNC b/c of price. But really, for me, it's just out of convenience, b/c it'll be right up the road from campus(btw, i'm attending Georgetown U). But I was looking at allthewhey.com, and it looks good, but I don't really see much price difference.

So about how many calories should I be looking to take in per day, if I want to gain weight?
And which would make sense if I can't get in 3 full meals, a Weight Gainer(which gives 1850 calories, 74 grams protein, 16.25g fat, 354g carbs, etc.) or a MRP(which gives 280 calories, 40grams protein, 3.5g fat, 22g carbs, etc.)?