Building muscle has just as much to do with your diet as it does with your training. You can train as hard and heavy as you want, but if you're not eating right, you won't grow. When constructing your muscle-building meal plan, the foods you eat play a pivotal role and there are certain ones you want to avoid.
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The Atkins diet promotes the reduction of carbohydrates, along with an increase in protein and fat intake. Initially, the plan excludes any higher-carb foods, including fruits and some vegetables, though these can be gradually reintroduced in moderation over time.
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Soda is certainly far from the optimal health drink. Even though most people are well aware of the risks that a high soda consumption can pose, many still believe that drinking soda regularly isn't a big deal. Actually, there are a plethora of benefits in refraining from this sugary drink.
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Hummus is a dip that originates from the Middle East. The main ingredients in traditional hummus are chickpeas, olive oil, garlic, salt, lemon juice and tahini -- a paste made from sesame seeds.
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Watermelon isn't a food you see listed too often in bodybuilding diet plans. Most bodybuilders seem to get their carbs from starches, such as rice and oatmeal, rather than fruits, but this could be a mistake. By forgoing fruit, you're missing out on vital nutrients.
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Protein plays a crucial role in a bodybuilder's diet, as protein molecules are the building blocks for new muscle tissue. But eating the same high-protein foods such as chicken, canned tuna and eggs can get boring, and it's important to get variety in your diet.
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Energy drinks can be useful when you're training hard and need an extra boost for a tough session. They can also be used as a quick pick-me-up during a slow afternoon at the office, but it's important you don't get to the stage where you become reliant on them.
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Whether it's to help you get going first thing in the morning, a pick-me-up during midafternoon or an energy booster before your gym session, a cup of steaming java easily becomes part of your daily routine.
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Hang around bodybuilders long enough and you'll hear all sorts of different advice on what dieting methods are optimal. One aspect that seems to split the training community down the middle is eating before bed.
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When talking about building muscle, many people place all their focus on protein. This results in a diet full of chicken, beef, fish and eggs. While protein does play a vital role in muscle recovery and growth, carbs are crucial too.
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If you want to improve your running performance, you need to train to improve your fitness and stamina and gradually increase your mileage. However, the factor which many people overlook when training for running is nutrition.
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Two of the major sources of calories in the American diet are starch and sugar. Starches in the form of bread, pizza and pasta rank second, fifth and seventh on the list of the top 10 ways that Americans consume calories, according to registered dietitian Suzanne Boos.
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Meat gets a bad rap: Eating too much is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer. But according to the Harvard School of Public Health, this depends largely on the types of meat you choose, and some are far healthier than others. Meat serves as a good source of protein.
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The calorie content of your diet is the most important factor as to whether you lose, gain or maintain weight. An excess of calories results in weight gain; a deficit leads to a loss, while balancing your calories causes you to maintain weight.
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Sweet potatoes feature in many a bodybuilder's daily diet. Alongside rice, potatoes, oats and pasta, sweet potatoes are a top source of carbohydrate, meaning they're a good source of energy for anyone hitting it hard in the gym.
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When picking a protein supplement, you have plenty on the market from which to choose. The supplement you pick depends on your goals, budget, food allergies or whether you have an intolerance, as well as your dietary preferences.
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Eating breakfast helps you perform better mentally and could aid weight loss. Many people, however, aren't hungry first thing in the morning or find it difficult to make time to sit down and eat a meal. But you can get all the benefits of breakfast with a drink instead of feeling like you're forcing down solid food.
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A ketogenic diet is one which is high in fat, contains a moderate amount of protein and is very low in carbohydrates. When on a ketogenic diet, your body goes into ketosis and switches to burning fat for fuel, rather than carbohydrate.
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Including sources of lean protein in your diet is important when you're trying to lose weight, since protein helps to preserve muscle mass and keeps you feeling full.
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Energy drinks are usually used for one of two purposes: as a pick-me-up when you're feeling a little tired or lethargic and as a sports performance boost before a workout or competition. You might think you're being good by drinking energy drinks, but they could actually be the cause of your weight gain.
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