Whether you are a novice or a veteran bodybuilder, it’s always important to know the most effective strategies for gaining muscle. A personal trainer can plan customized workouts, but you might have to put in some extra work to get the body of your dreams. Personal trainers will usually create a meal plan to go along with your workouts. The meal plan will be suited to your goals; if you want to lose weight, then the plan will accommodate that objective. A meal plan for bodybuilding might be substantially different from a weight loss meal plan. We’ve picked out a few foods that can be tasty additions for your bodybuilding meal plan.
Which Meats Should You Eat?
Everyone knows that meat is a valuable protein source but what separates “good” meat from “bad” meat? Typically, the best protein sources are lean and have a good protein to calorie ratio.
- Steak: top or bottom round – 23g. of protein per serving
- Boneless or skinless chicken and turkey breast – 24g. of protein per serving
- Lean ground beef – 18g. of protein per serving
- Boneless pork chops – 26g per serving
Some of these foods can contain a little more fat than others so try to indulge responsibly or you might have to take a few classes to tone the extra fat.
What About Seafood?
Seafood encompasses a vast number of different dishes and there are multiple great additions to ad to your meal plan.
- Tilapia – 21g. of protein per serving
- Salmon – 23g. of protein per serving
- Octopus – 25g. Protein per serving.
These foods are packed lean protein and omega-3 fatty acids which can help your metabolism. Because these are low caloric protein sources, you should be more than inclined to add it to your meal plan.
Is Meat the Only Protein Source?
Meat is the foundation of any bodybuilding meal plan but it isn’t the only source of protein. Peanut butter is a great snack that can be added to whole wheat bread to make a killer powerful protein treat. Nuts like cashews, peanuts, and almonds have around 6 g. per 2 oz. serving and can be even healthier when eating them unsalted. Bean chips can feel like a tasty cheat food while still providing you a healthy amount of protein. Tofu, greek yogurt, quinoa, and soba noodles are all great protein sources. Even canned foods can be packed with healthy protein but make sure you read the label and look for how much sodium is in each can.
Bodybuilding can be daunting without the right guidance. We strive to not only help you achieve your goals but also learn to maintain a healthy lifestyle. If you think you’re serious about bodybuilding or any other fitness goal, don’t hesitate to learn more about getting in shape. Call or visit us to make an appointment today!
