The old saying “you are what you eat” holds more than a little truth when it comes to designing an effective and healthy bodybuilding regimen. You feed the machine with low grade fuel and it will break down or at least run like an old Lister generator. Bodybuilding is a sport that places a premium on fat loss, extreme physical production, and maximum resultant muscle growth and as such bodybuilding diet plans need to meet very specific nutritional needs.
Acceptable muscle gains depend on consuming an adequate amount of high-quality protein. It is the building block our bodies use to regenerate and grow muscle and if your diet is lacking in good protein you will not be able to make any progress. And you’ll need a lot of it which means you’ll be eating a lot in terms of quantity. This becomes problematic when you consider a feature of bodybuilding is the simultaneous gain of fat and muscle. This is a reality of the sport and although it is easy enough to address by alternating weight and cardio training.
Ideal bodybuilding diet plans vary greatly since all bodybuilders have different nutritional needs, but here is an example of a typical balanced day’s intake.
Breakfast:
6 – 7 scrambled eggs, 1 whole and only the whites
1 cup cooked oatmeal (not the instant variety)
1 juicy apple
1 cup coffee
Breakfast:
1 protein shake
1 glass water – small
lunch:
1 can of tuna in brine
2 slices of whole wheat bread
1 spice to taste
1 glass water – big
Breakfast:
1 protein shake
1 glass of water
dinner:
I Grilled Chicken Breast or Portion of Salmon
1 serving brown rice
1 serving green beans
1 glass water – big
As mentioned earlier, consuming large amounts of fat can be a problem with any bodybuilding diet plan. One thing you shouldn’t do is try to cut out all fat from your diet. Our body needs good fats to function properly. A good average balance would be 40% carbohydrates, 40% protein, and 20% good fats. Maintenance of adequate hydration is also an important part of the process. Try drinking about 1 gallon of water a day. Bodybuilding generates a lot of free radicals and toxins and you will need good hydration to flush them out of your body.
Bodybuilding diet plans also have to account for outside influences such as pre-existing medical conditions. Your doctor’s advice and then a bodybuilding pro’s advice is the essential first step in creating an effective diet plan. One last word on bodybuilding diet plans, don’t forget the importance of high quality supplements. They can be a quick and convenient way to boost your intake of specific micronutrients, minerals and vitamins.
Source by Malc Moore
