Although proper exercise and rest are both essential for muscle builders, the importance of having a healthy diet should never be neglected.
Having the right nutrition plan and following it consistently leads any body builder to the best results. You will definitely have a hard time achieving your desired muscle mass if you are still eating foods that do more harm than good.
To get you started in the right direction, it helps to know that the perfect muscle building diet is composed of 3 main components. Having enough protein, carbohydrates and fats is a must for those who seriously want to bulk up. Why are they important? How can they help you? Read on and we’ll tell you about each one.
Protein
Of course, it goes without saying that your muscle building activities will never produce the best results if you do not have sufficient amount of protein. This is because protein builds, repairs, and maintains muscle tissues. Next to carbohydrates, protein is a great resource of energy. Your muscle will not grow at all if you don’t have protein in your body.
These days, many body builders make it a point to drink protein shakes after their workouts. In addition to that, you also need to eat chicken, beef, fish, egg whites and other protein-rich foods.
Carbohydrates
As mentioned earlier, carbohydrates are your body’s main source of energy. Carbs can be divided into two categories namely simple and complex. The difference here is that simple carbs are often found in fruits and sugar – foods which raise your blood sugar levels and help you have quick energy bursts. Complex carbs, on the other hand, are crucial because they provide lasting effects. It completes your diet and provides you with enough energy, so that you don’t have to rely solely on protein.
Fats
Although some may consider it surprising, fats are also an essential part of your muscle building diet. Consuming them in the appropriate amounts will help you build great muscle faster.
Now you have to take note that there are good fats and bad fats. The good ones are those that are found in fish, nuts, and olive oil, among others. On the other hand, bad fats are saturated fats and trans fats. Meat, eggs, and vegetable oil are some of the most sources.
Your goal as a body builder is to reduce bad fats in your meals and simply eat the correct amount of good fats.
To determine the right amount of protein, carbs and fats for you, using a muscle building diet calculator is often a nice solution. It’s important to know your body’s unique needs and using such a tool will help you make the best decisions for your diet.