The Basics Of Bodybuilding Nutrition

In bodybuilding, nutrition is second priority only to actually lifting weights - and it's a close second at that. Before you even get started with your first free weight, you have to have a clear idea about the food you need and should eat. Working with a mistaken or a misinformed idea of the right bodybuilding diet isn't just difficult; it's dangerous to your health.

Diet Safely Without Starving

Take a cue from the 'bodybuilding' word itself: you are constantly building up, so you should never let your body be without raw materials. One of the cardinal rules of bodybuilding nutrition is to never ever go hungry because that would mean you are having a shortage of nutrients. If there aren't enough nutrients to build up new muscle, you are not getting as much muscle gain as you should be for that workout. If you are hungry, eat something. It's that simple.

Eating the Right Stuff

Bodybuilding nutrition isn't as complicated as that for most sports, mainly because you are focusing on just building muscle. That's why bodybuilders place such high value on meat diets and protein bars. It is the protein that serves as the building blocks for all the muscle mass that you want to gain. If you are after more muscle, then you need to make sure that your body will always have protein to use.

However, that does not mean that your diet should be comprised of 100% protein. While much of what you eat should be protein, you should also leave some space in your meal plans for carbohydrates and fats.

Carbohydrates are a critical element because they are your body's primary energy source for a lot of functions. You use up carbs when you run. You use up carbs (albeit to a lesser extent) when you do push-ups. You use up carbs in just about any activity that involves movement. Cutting out carbohydrates completely is an unwise idea, and you'll just feel sluggish and lethargic all day if you try.

And yes, you read that right. You need enough of certain kinds of fats to keep your body healthy and fit. Aside from serving as fuel for some body processes, they are also important as parts of metabolic pathways that give your body raw nutrients from food.

What Good Diets Look Like

Meals that follow good principles of bodybuilding nutrition typically have high amounts of protein, low to moderate amounts of carbohydrates and low amounts of fats. It is far from the ideal 'balanced' diet but at least you will still get some food from all three categories.

Lean meats such as trimmed pork, chicken and turkey are great sources of protein without adding any unhealthy fats. In fact, they are so good that you can snack on such things in between meals without fearing any repercussions. Pastas, cereals and breads, meanwhile, are adequate sources of carbohydrates.

It's a good idea to incorporate items like fish or nuts into your diet so that you'll have a source of the 'good' kind of fat. Using canola oil instead of plain old vegetable oil would also give you slightly higher amounts of good fat.

Bodybuilding nutrition is actually a fairly simple and straightforward concept, especially if you remember you know the science that's at work. Good nutrition is an essential part of the bodybuilding lifestyle because it'll have your body performing at its very best.

The key to bodybuilding growth and healthy nutrition is making healthy choices. Eating clean, food that is natural and not procesed

Eat from Complete Proteins
The core of a healthy bodybuilding diet includes eating protein, carbohydrates, non-starchy vegetables and good fats.

Protein
1. Chicken
2. Turkey
3. Egg Whites
4. Tuna
5. Salmon
6. Red Meat
7. Fish
8. Lean pork

Nonstarchy Vegetables:
1. Broccoli
2. Cauliflower
3. Green beans
4. Lettuce
5. Asparagus
6. Green Peppers
7. Cucumbers
8. Peas

Complex Carbs:
1. Sweet potatoe
2. Oatmeal
3. Brown Rice
4. Wheat bread
5. Wheat pasta
6. Legumes
7. Barley
8. Grains

Healthy Essential Fats
1. Almonds
2. Cashews
3. Natural Peanut Butter
4. Oils