If you really want good results from your weight training workouts then you need to supply your body with the right nutrients for muscle development to occur. A good bodybuilding diet isn’t just good for building muscle, it’s good for your health in general.
There is a misconception that bodybuilding diets just consist of high protein and high calorie foods. Protein and calories are a big part of it, however it’s only a part of it. A good bodybuilding diet also consists of high levels of vitamins, minerals, complex carbohydrates and fats.
The goal of a good bodybuilding diet is supply your body with everything that it needs to be has healthy as possible, the healthier we are the better our bodies will be at growing muscle. Another benefit of a good healthy diet is to strengthen our immune systems which will help us to fight off illnesses and disease.
Just how important is good nutrition?
The answer is very important! often when professional bodybuilders are asked about what was the most important factor during their preparation for a competition, often the first thing that they would mention was their nutrition. So yes if professionals are highlighting just how important nutrition is then giving some attention to this area would be wise.
Weight training itself has changed only slightly over the years, training methods, techniques and the exercises themselves have not actually changed that much over the last few decades. However there have been huge leaps forward with regards to diet and nutrition and the effects it can have on the body, health and physical fitness including muscle building.
Main Nutrition Components
Carbohydrates, carbs are widely misunderstood as something to avoid, however not all carbs are bad, and they are responsible for giving us energy.
Protein, this is the building blocks for muscle, but not just muscle, also bone, tendons, skin, hair and our body organs.
Fat, fat is a very important part of our diet and not all fats are bad for us, however fat has twice the calories per gram as both carbohydrates and protein.
Example beginner bodybuilding diet
Meal 1
- High fibre cereal with low fat milk
- Apple
Meal 2
- Banana
- 2 slices of wholemeal bread
- Glass of milk or protein supplement
Meal 3
- Chicken breast 5 – 7 ounces
- Mixed vegetables
Meal 4
- Turkey breast 5 – 7 ounces
- Banana
Meal 5
- Mixed salad with tuna
- Orange
This diet should be used as an example of what foods to eat if you are serious about gaining muscle mass. As you can see this diet includes far more nutritional properties than just protein.
