If you’ve decided to take up bodybuilding with the intention of sculpting your body, your efforts will be in vain without the right dietary decisions. Nutrition is everything when it comes to muscle building and, from an all-encompassing perspective, health. You won’t achieve the body of your dreams without the proper diet, especially when it comes to gaining pounds of unadulterated muscle.
The body relies on nutrients from food and supplements, bodybuilding meal prep delivery has made the process easier for those with little time, or cooking talent. This will help you consume what’s necessary to achieve muscle gain. There is so much information out there on which food types are essential for muscle building, however, which foods should you focus on eating? Read on to find out.
Beans/Legumes
Though these aren’t typically associated with a bodybuilding diet, beans are actually a nutritious source of protein. If you’re serious about building muscle, ignore the power of legumes and beans at your peril. Not only will you benefit from a high source of protein, but your body will maintain healthy bowel movements with the fiber it needs. This also helps regulate an optimal insulin response, enabling the absorption of nutrients that are critical for muscle growth. Kidney beans are a popular choice for bodybuilders, containing an impressive 14 grams of protein and fiber per cup!
Chicken/Turkey
Lean meats like chicken and turkey are a staple of any bodybuilding diet. They are an excellent source of protein, and helpfully low in saturated fats. Eating high quantities of chicken or turkey will facilitate your muscle building experience. They’re healthy foods that will boost your well-being, as well.
Egg Whites
Most successful bodybuilders incorporate egg whites in their diet. As one of the purest forms of protein in the world, egg whites have a protein to fat ratio of 60:1. The body readily utilizes these properties for protein synthesis. Egg whites are a great source of vitamins and nutrients, and are low in carbohydrates.
Fish
Fish is high in natural fats and omega-3, which are vital components of muscle building. Although the previous advice in this article has been centered on avoiding fatty foods, natural fats are necessary for healthy functioning. Salmon, sardines, and tuna are all excellent sources of protein. Tuna is highly convenient, because it’s canned and can be accessed at will.
Lean Red Meat
These are fantastic mass-building foods. Lean meat is a rich source of protein, zinc, vitamin B, and iron. It is perfect for people who are looking to pack some serious size, especially considering lean meat has a high calorie per serving ratio. Red meat shouldn’t be consumed too regularly, because it has a high proportion of saturated fat. Incorporating lean meats in your weekly diet, alongside fish, turkey, and chicken, is your best bet. This brings a level of variety to your nutrition plan.
Slow Burning Carbohydrates
A good source of carbohydrates will help you sustain your muscles. Ignore advice about eliminating carbohydrates from your diet, because it’s needed as an effective energy source, too. Foods like oatmeal and sweet potatoes are a great pre-workout snack, because otherwise your body will tap into muscle glycogen as a source of energy, causing them to degenerate. Regardless of your goals, maintain a consistent source of fuel before and after exercise.
