If you like to lift weights, knowing the right foods to eat and avoiding the wrong ones is integral to your overall success. Working and maintain a proper diet go hand in hand, since food options what you do will have a direct impact how do you feel when you exerciseas much as your performance. The goal of pumping iron is work the muscle—do not accumulate unwanted fat. We’re here to point out the worst foods for weightlifting, so you can make sure you stay on the right track.
Eat this, not that! talked with Melissa Pfeisterhealth and wellness brand founder nude with melissa and member of the ETNT Council of Medical Experts, which points out the many foods weightlifters should avoid. The last thing you want to gain is extra fat on your commute, so these tips will be key when shopping for food and planning meals. Keep lifting and meet the foods that are not your friends. You will get your super toned body in no time!
Read on to learn more about the worst foods for lifting weights, then check out The 6 Best Exercises for Strong, Toned Arms in 2022, Says a Trainer.
Not all sugars are created equal. Be careful to stay away from foods with added sugars, including baked goods, protein bars that are usually full of sugar, and candy. Instead, choose items that contain natural sugar, like fresh fruits and vegetables.
Pfeister explains: “Sugar spikes insulin levels, which can lead to fat gain. So when you need a post-workout snack, reach for that deliciously healthy apple instead of that chocolate chip muffin.”
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Processed meats are undoubtedly a big no-no. They are full of calories, sodium, and saturated fat, which are extremely bad for you. Pfeister warns: “Many processed meats contain nitrates, which can form certain chemicals within your body that have actually been linked to cancer.”
It is important to maintain a healthy and clean diet when lifting weights. “I suggest sticking to lean proteins like fish, chicken, and turkey,” says Pfeister, along with “natural fruits and vegetables, legumes and beans, and whole foods like rice and oatmeal.”
Staying away from poor food choices will help you shed fat and build the muscle you want.
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There are also certain nutritious foods that are great to work into your diet to add fiber, but are options you should probably avoid right before you lift weights. For example, certain vegetables such as cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and broccoli can cause discomfort just before exercise. Some vegetables that are a little easier on your digestion include cooked potatoes or asparagus. If yogurt isn’t normally easy for you to digest, it’s another thing to avoid right before lifting weights.
alexa mellardo
Alexa is the Mind + Body Associate Editor for Eat This, Not That!, overseeing the M+B channel, and providing readers with engaging topics on fitness, wellness, and personal care. read more
