subject: Bodybuilding Nutrition Tips [print this page] Usually when someone is asking for nutrition tips they have either tried stuff that is not producing the results that they are looking for or they are just starting out. If you are the latter then this article will help you to understand the basics of good bodybuilding nutrition.
Nutrition is everything if you want to get the results from your hard earned workouts. The balance of your nutrition is vitally important in order to get your muscles repaired after the damage you have done as quickly as possible. The reason your muscles change is because of progressive resistance.
This means that you are stressing the muscle to a point where it gets damaged and it then repairs to a point that it will be able to accommodate that damage the next time. Unless you are taking steroids you need to help this process by eating correctly.
It starts and ends with planning as you need to eat between 5 to 7 times a day and these small meals or snacks need to be well balanced. Well balanced means a protein, carbohydrate and healthy fat source with every meal.
Firstly proteins which is vital if you want the muscle to repair and get stronger and there are many different and health choices to choose from. Like chicken breasts, tuna, whey or soy protein powder, eggs, small amounts of lean red meat, turkey, cottage cheese, protein bars.
Secondly is carbohydrates which is your primary source of energy and being short of good quality complex carbohydrates are going to directly affect your workouts. There is a list of basic complex carbs which can also include some fruits to get the necessary and complete nutritional needs.
Cauliflower, Cucumber, Celery, Salad, Tomatoes, Broccoli, Carrots, Peppers, Mushrooms, Rice, Potatoes, Bread, Pasta, Buns Cereal, Oatmeal, Yams, Sweet Potatoes. It is good advice to make sure you get lower calorie fruit choices: Apple, Pears, Nectarine, Strawberries, and Raspberries.
If you have a craving for breads or pastas, go with wheat breads instead of white breads or 12 grain, in fact eating white bread is simply too refined for a good nutritional bodybuilding diet. One should limit pop intake, but if you must have a cola choose diet instead of regular.
You should drink a minimum 8 glasses of water a day to keep you hydrated and it helps keep you feeling full as well. But it is OK to allow yourself one cheat meal a week to have whatever you have been craving. This is the problem with crash diets they fail to realize that people have cravings and can't stick with a program if they aren't allowed to splurge once in a while.
When you start getting used to eating correctly you will get into the habit of switching to low calorie dressings or sauces. Also get into the habit of eating or choosing fat-free such as fat free cheese or ice-cream. One can even choose things like sugar free jell for dessert instead of cakes, chocolate or pie.
