Are You Trying to Build Muscle? Make Sure the Foundations Are in Place First!
The cornerstone of any good dietary plan is a balanced intake of proteins, carbohydrates and other nutrients.
Without this it will be impossible for your body to support the muscle-building process.
This means that no matter how much time you spend in the gym, you will not see results unless you follow these guidelines.
The good news however, is that it this is easier than it sounds.
Protein The most important part of any bodybuilder or weightlifter's diet will be your protein intake.
This is due to the fact that protein is the foundation upon which muscle is built.
A good rule of thumb regarding protein intake is that you should consume roughly twice your bodyweight in grams per day.
So for example, if you weight 150 pounds your ideal intake would be roughly 300 grams of protein a day.
There are a number of good sources of cheap protein.
Among these are: Egg Whites Chicken Turkey Beef Fish Kidney Beans Beef and chicken, along with other red meats should be the primary source of your daily protein consumption.
These foods are also high in calories, which are essential for building muscle.
Egg whites are also one of the purest forms of protein in the world, and have a protein to fat ratio of over 60:1, making it one of the best auxiliary choices for those trying to increase their muscle mass.
Carbohydrates Another important group of nutrients concerned with building muscle is carbohydrates.
Carbs are primarily used as the body's energy source as they convert to usable energy much more readily than protein does.
For this reason, about fifty percent of your nutritional intake should be slow-digesting complex carbohydrates.
These can be found in nearly all vegetables, though sweet potatoes and lettuce are excellent examples.
Oatmeal is also a prime source and serves as a great breakfast option.
Fluids Water consumption is also often overlooked.
However, as nearly seventy percent of your body consists of water, this is a critical mistake.
Staying hydrated not only ensures that your muscles stay fuller looking, but also guarantees that your blood and cells are able to adequately transport the nutrients that your are consuming.
Without this it will be impossible for your body to support the muscle-building process.
This means that no matter how much time you spend in the gym, you will not see results unless you follow these guidelines.
The good news however, is that it this is easier than it sounds.
Protein The most important part of any bodybuilder or weightlifter's diet will be your protein intake.
This is due to the fact that protein is the foundation upon which muscle is built.
A good rule of thumb regarding protein intake is that you should consume roughly twice your bodyweight in grams per day.
So for example, if you weight 150 pounds your ideal intake would be roughly 300 grams of protein a day.
There are a number of good sources of cheap protein.
Among these are: Egg Whites Chicken Turkey Beef Fish Kidney Beans Beef and chicken, along with other red meats should be the primary source of your daily protein consumption.
These foods are also high in calories, which are essential for building muscle.
Egg whites are also one of the purest forms of protein in the world, and have a protein to fat ratio of over 60:1, making it one of the best auxiliary choices for those trying to increase their muscle mass.
Carbohydrates Another important group of nutrients concerned with building muscle is carbohydrates.
Carbs are primarily used as the body's energy source as they convert to usable energy much more readily than protein does.
For this reason, about fifty percent of your nutritional intake should be slow-digesting complex carbohydrates.
These can be found in nearly all vegetables, though sweet potatoes and lettuce are excellent examples.
Oatmeal is also a prime source and serves as a great breakfast option.
Fluids Water consumption is also often overlooked.
However, as nearly seventy percent of your body consists of water, this is a critical mistake.
Staying hydrated not only ensures that your muscles stay fuller looking, but also guarantees that your blood and cells are able to adequately transport the nutrients that your are consuming.