As a bodybuilder, you know very well that the old saying “You are what you eat” is truer than it can ever be, but sometimes, especially if you’re a beginner, you will be a bit confused about the right types of foods you should eat.
For instance, while some of your friends may tell you that eating more vegetables is better than eating more white or red meat, others will tell you that eating more milk based products is better. So who should you believe?
Well, how about none of them and just consider doing your own research? Better yet, you can check out the list below, since we have taken the time to learn more about the right kinds of foods bodybuilders should eat, especially if they really care about considering only the best protein and vitamin sources.
Number 10. Quinoa
Did you know that not everyone actually eats meat? However, if you’re a bodybuilder, then that changes things a bit, since if you don’t eat meat, then how can you get your recommended daily dose of protein?
Well, the good news is that you can get it from quinoa, which is a special grain that is native to S. America and is literally packed with protein.
On top of that, you will be very happy to know that it has all the amino acids your body requires in order to function properly, which helps you build muscles easier and faster than you think. Lastly, quinoa is rich in iron, magnesium, fiber and is also very easy to digest.
Number 9. Turkey
Did you ever wonder why there are so many bodybuilders out there that will go to the supermarket and the first aisle they check is that of meat and more specifically turkey? Well, turkey is a very healthy source of protein and on top of that, it also has very low amounts of fat.
If you really want to be serious about your bodybuilding diet, then you need to talk to a specialist as well and get a customized eating plan based on your age, height, current weight, goals, lifestyle, training regimen and body type.
Number 8. Almonds
Almonds are a very healthy type of food that is very rich in protein that your body so much needs when you’re lifting weights. What is great is that you don’t need to eat a lot of almonds, since consuming a quarter of a cup of almonds a day (which equals to eight grams of protein) you’ll be just fine.
Nutritionists also recommend almonds since they are a very healthy source of magnesium and mono-saturated fats and if there is one thing that you may not know about magnesium, that is the fact that it’s used in more than three hundred biochemical reactions in your body and it’s specifically involved in protein synthesis and metabolism.
Number 7. Carbohydrates And Pastas
Are you trying to bulk up as much and as fast as possible? Then you definitely need to consider these foods right away.
Penne, lasagna and spaghetti are just a few of the most recommended foods that any bodybuilder out there will tell you to eat. However, even though they are good for your body, you need to make sure that you keep them in moderation.
If you go overboard, then you will practically achieve the opposite of your goals, so be careful.
Number 6. Lean Meats
While if you’re a vegetarian you would never want to hear about eating lean meats, they are great for feeding your system with the necessary amounts of protein and other nutrients that can help you bulk up.
Also, did you know that red meat is a very important source of iron and B vitamins? Well, that’s true and the darker the meat is, the more nutrients it has.
Number 5. Lean Ground Beef
If you never really liked ground beef before, then now you have a reason to try it again and see if you like it.
What makes this type of meat so important in your daily diet is the fact that just one hundred grams of it contains an astonishing twenty seven grams of protein.
Keep in mind that even if one such serving contains over two hundred calories and around eleven grams of fat, it is still very good for your system, especially since it is rich in iron, zinc and vitamin B12 which are all vital for growing your muscles.
Number 4. Soy
It doesn’t matter if you want to serve it as soy milk or tofu, since there are so many benefits to eating soy that you will not believe it at first.
If you didn’t know, soy is one of the few foods out there that actually packs complete protein and if you consider eating a single cup of cooked soybeans, ten that contains more than twenty grams of amino acids.
On top of that, you’ll also find it’s rich in many other minerals and nutrients that feed your muscles with the energy they need to grow bigger and stronger.
Number 3. Eggs
Simple to prepare, delicious and the fact that they can be used in a wide variety of ways to cook an excellent dish, eggs are definitely vital for anyone who is serious about bodybuilding.
One egg has around five to six grams of protein and at the same time it has just sixty calories.
However, it’s not the amount of protein that eggs have, but the quality. Compared to any other whole foods out there, eggs have a type of protein that is the most readily usable you can find and this means they are perfect for muscle growth.
Number 2. Green Leafy Vegetables
Leafy and green vegetables are very well known for the fact that they are rich in Vitamin K, A, C, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron and also in antioxidants.
On top of that, many studies have lauded the fact that they also have anticancer agents that help you stay away from this deadly disease.
Therefore, it would help you a lot to include leafy vegetables and green vegetables in your diet as soon as possible, since you’ll notice not only an increase in energy, but your skin is also going to look much better.
Number 1. Fish
Sitting on the number one spot in your countdown, there is no other food out there that is as healthy as fish. For example, by eating salmon you’ll get around twenty five grams of protein for every one hundred grams of it that you have, yet on top of that it’s also full of many other extremely healthy nutrients.
Red fish contains important quantities of omega three fatty acids and mono-saturated fats (which are great for improving your heart health), while being an excellent source of vitamin D as well.
Because of that, if you really want to make sure that your efforts will pay off as soon as possible, then it’s recommended you include fish in your diet as soon as you can.