There are certain foods that should be part of every bodybuilding diet. If you miss out on these you miss out on big gains.
Lets take a look at some foods that I feel are essential to a bodybuilding diet. Some of them are for health reasons whilst others are there for their anabolic muscle building properties.
1. Fresh milk
Milk has got to be the heart and sole of my bodybuilding diet. I attribute a lot of my gains to it. However, I don’t just drink ordinary milk from the supermarket. I really feel that a good quality raw milk from the health food store is a much better option if you are trying to get big. The proteins are still intact as the milk has not been heated.
2. Eggs
Eggs are like a powerhouse of protein and essential fats. Eggs have got a bad wrap in recent years from people who are worried about cholesterol and for this reason they reccomend you do not eat too many egg yolks. I am not sure this information is correct but it is better to err on the side of caution. One thing is for sure though; eggs are a must for any bodybuilders diet. Try and eat them raw in a protein shake with some milk and fruit. Perfect.
3. Water
If you are eating large amounts of protein you need to keep your kidneys healthy by drinking lots of water. This helps flush out a lot of the junk and makes your body’s cells function a lot better. Many bodybuilders say you should drink up to four litres a day.
4. Bananas
Although this is not a typical “bodybuilding food” I have found them to be quite special. Bananas are full of potassium as well as a whole host of other nutrients. They are probably the most beneficial fruit that exists and they should be eaten daily. Keeping your body healthy is very important.
5. Spinach and other green leaft vegetables
As more and more scientific research is done we are increasingly hearing about the benefits of green leafy vegetables. This stuff is dirt cheap to buy at a good food market and you can put it with just about everything. I have them in soup, pasta, salads, steamed vegetables, vegetable juices, etc. They are full of Vitamins A, C and contain a lot of calcium, folate and fiber. It is said that these foods also help to prevent cancer and clean out the blood. This is perhaps important for bodybuilders where a lot of lactic acid builds up in the body on a daily basis.
6. Yogurt
Again, go to the health food store and get some real yogurt – not the stuff in the supermarket that is full of sugar and salt. You might only be able to find it in its original form which tastes pretty crap in which case you can just add berries and other fruits to it. Yogurt is great for some extra protein as well as calcium and Vitamin B12. Make sure your yogurt has an active live culture strain in it as this helps your immune system fight off bacteria and can keep your body healthy during your bulking up phase where you are eating a lot of “heavy foods”.
7. Nuts
Every different type of nut is hailed by some group as being an amazing health food. They contain protein, Vitamin E, essential fatty acids, fiber, etc. The best types of nuts for your health are almonds, hazelnuts, pine nuts, walnuts and pistachios. Try and eat a handful of mixed nuts everyday.
8. A good whey protein powder
Many old school bodybuilder think that you do not need supplements to get big. I am not so sure. I grew when I started taking a quality whey protein powder as my post workout meal. However, the most impressive benefit about whey protein is that it is now being hailed as an amazing food for improving your immune system and increasing your body’s ability to fight disease. The brands with lots of free floating amino acids are said to be particularly good and are even being used on cancer patients.
9. Oatmeal
Oatmeal is an important bodybuilding food as it is a slow burning sustainable source of complex carbohydrates for the body. And oats are a great source of various vitamins, minerals, fibre, and protein. They’re also inexpensive when you choose the plain rolled oats – the ones that are healthiest for you!
10. Chicken Breast
The chicken breast is another super-food to include in a bodybuilding diet. The reason is that it is one of the best sources of high quality protein. A 6oz chicken breast has nearly 40 grams of protein and only 2 grams of fat. Aside from high protein content it is great tasting and can be easily prepared in a variety of ways.
Conclusion
Bodybuilding is not just about getting big; it is about getting healthy. Many bodybuilders get big at the expense of their health but this is not the real way to do it. Unhealthy bodybuilding is short term and stupid. Make sure your diet is balanced with important bodybuilding foods the core of your diet and not only will you grow, you will continue to grow long into the future.
Lets take a look at some foods that I feel are essential to a bodybuilding diet. Some of them are for health reasons whilst others are there for their anabolic muscle building properties.
1. Fresh milk
Milk has got to be the heart and sole of my bodybuilding diet. I attribute a lot of my gains to it. However, I don’t just drink ordinary milk from the supermarket. I really feel that a good quality raw milk from the health food store is a much better option if you are trying to get big. The proteins are still intact as the milk has not been heated.
2. Eggs
Eggs are like a powerhouse of protein and essential fats. Eggs have got a bad wrap in recent years from people who are worried about cholesterol and for this reason they reccomend you do not eat too many egg yolks. I am not sure this information is correct but it is better to err on the side of caution. One thing is for sure though; eggs are a must for any bodybuilders diet. Try and eat them raw in a protein shake with some milk and fruit. Perfect.
3. Water
If you are eating large amounts of protein you need to keep your kidneys healthy by drinking lots of water. This helps flush out a lot of the junk and makes your body’s cells function a lot better. Many bodybuilders say you should drink up to four litres a day.
4. Bananas
Although this is not a typical “bodybuilding food” I have found them to be quite special. Bananas are full of potassium as well as a whole host of other nutrients. They are probably the most beneficial fruit that exists and they should be eaten daily. Keeping your body healthy is very important.
5. Spinach and other green leaft vegetables
As more and more scientific research is done we are increasingly hearing about the benefits of green leafy vegetables. This stuff is dirt cheap to buy at a good food market and you can put it with just about everything. I have them in soup, pasta, salads, steamed vegetables, vegetable juices, etc. They are full of Vitamins A, C and contain a lot of calcium, folate and fiber. It is said that these foods also help to prevent cancer and clean out the blood. This is perhaps important for bodybuilders where a lot of lactic acid builds up in the body on a daily basis.
6. Yogurt
Again, go to the health food store and get some real yogurt – not the stuff in the supermarket that is full of sugar and salt. You might only be able to find it in its original form which tastes pretty crap in which case you can just add berries and other fruits to it. Yogurt is great for some extra protein as well as calcium and Vitamin B12. Make sure your yogurt has an active live culture strain in it as this helps your immune system fight off bacteria and can keep your body healthy during your bulking up phase where you are eating a lot of “heavy foods”.
7. Nuts
Every different type of nut is hailed by some group as being an amazing health food. They contain protein, Vitamin E, essential fatty acids, fiber, etc. The best types of nuts for your health are almonds, hazelnuts, pine nuts, walnuts and pistachios. Try and eat a handful of mixed nuts everyday.
8. A good whey protein powder
Many old school bodybuilder think that you do not need supplements to get big. I am not so sure. I grew when I started taking a quality whey protein powder as my post workout meal. However, the most impressive benefit about whey protein is that it is now being hailed as an amazing food for improving your immune system and increasing your body’s ability to fight disease. The brands with lots of free floating amino acids are said to be particularly good and are even being used on cancer patients.
9. Oatmeal
Oatmeal is an important bodybuilding food as it is a slow burning sustainable source of complex carbohydrates for the body. And oats are a great source of various vitamins, minerals, fibre, and protein. They’re also inexpensive when you choose the plain rolled oats – the ones that are healthiest for you!
10. Chicken Breast
The chicken breast is another super-food to include in a bodybuilding diet. The reason is that it is one of the best sources of high quality protein. A 6oz chicken breast has nearly 40 grams of protein and only 2 grams of fat. Aside from high protein content it is great tasting and can be easily prepared in a variety of ways.
Conclusion
Bodybuilding is not just about getting big; it is about getting healthy. Many bodybuilders get big at the expense of their health but this is not the real way to do it. Unhealthy bodybuilding is short term and stupid. Make sure your diet is balanced with important bodybuilding foods the core of your diet and not only will you grow, you will continue to grow long into the future.
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