Bodybuilding Foods That Will Help You Bulk Up And Still Stay Healthy
December 2, 2011 by admin
Filed under Bodybuilding
It is really important that if you are going to seriously get into bodybuilding, you have to start eating the right types of bodybuilding foods. If you are working out every day, but not eating the right foods, you are not going to achieve the results you are after, and will soon give up on your goals of being totally ripped. But, when you are eating bodybuilding foods in addition to working out, you are going to achieve your goals, and do it a lot quicker.
The Top Healthy Bodybuilding Foods
There are many healthy foods that you can eat when you are trying to gain muscle but make sure that you do not gain fat at the same time. Foods that are low in fat and high in protein are excellent for this, and with protein being an essential tool for bodybuilders, these are the foods that you should be eating when you are trying to bulk up while still being healthy. You will find that there are many food choices available to you, but there are some that are better than others for providing protein and the other nutrients that we all need to be healthy.
Egg Whites – The benefits of eggs have long been known to bodybuilders, and they are probably the first type of protein supplement that was ever used. But today, we also know that whole eggs are not always the healthiest choices, especially if they are not prepared in a healthy fashion. You can get all of the protein benefits that eggs have to offer just by eating the egg whites, and there are many different things that you can do with them to keep your diet creative, even if you are using egg whites as bodybuilding foods. You can enjoy delicious egg white omelets, or use egg whites to make eggnogs (using artificial sweetener of course). If you don’t have the patience to separate eggs yourself, you can purchase egg whites at any supermarket.
It doesn’t matter who you are, or what your level of fitness is. We all get the urge for a tasty sweet treat now and again. Even bodybuilders! But, even though we have these cravings, it is important to try to satisfy them with treats that are healthy and diet friendly. When it comes to egg whites, you can create sweet treats in a matter of minutes that will satisfy your cravings, but have no fat, very few calories, and are loaded with protein. You can make meringue cookies with egg whites, a few drops of lemon extract and some artificial sweetener. They only take a few minutes to bake, and they are delicious, healthy treats that even make great bodybuilding foods.
Salmon – Salmon, as well as many other types of fish, are very high in protein, not to mention omega-3 fatty acids that are extremely important. Salmon is also loaded with the good, unsaturated fats that everyone, including bodybuilders, need to have in their diets. The best way to have salmon is in a fillet, either baked or broiled. When you fry it, you get the additional oils that are not healthy, unless of course you are using olive oil, which is also loaded with protein and other nutrients. It is better to go right to the fish section of your supermarket to get fresh salmon, as it has the most nutritional benefits. If you are unable to get fresh salmon, frozen will also do the trick.
The healthiest way to prepare your salmon, especially if you are using it as one of your bodybuilding foods, is to bake it. The easiest way to do so is to simply get rid of all the bones, place it on a baking sheet with your favorite seasonings (lemon pepper is really nice on salmon), and bake at 400 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes, or until it is flaky and pink in the center.
Sweet Potatoes – This is something that is becoming more and more popular these days, and unlike the sticky sweet potato dishes you are used to seeing at family get-togethers, there are actually many healthy dishes you can make with this vegetable. And, just one ounce of sweet potatoes will provide you with four grams of protein, and added to meat and other vegetables, you can get much of the protein you need in a day in one single meal.
If you love sweet potato fries, but don’t want to have the grease and fat that goes with them, you can still enjoy this tasty treat. Cut your sweet potatoes to look like fries, but instead of deep frying them, bake them in the oven. They will come out crispy and tasty, but be a much healthier alternative to their greasy counterpart.
Getting enough Protein Is Essential
Even if you are eating all kinds of healthy bodybuilding foods, you may still not be getting enough protein in your diet, which is essential if you really want to bulk up, and have the energy to do it. If this is the case for you, it is a good idea to add protein supplements to your diet. Not only will you be getting the additional protein you need, you will also be getting many other vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that our bodies need, whether or not we are into bodybuilding. You will find that there are many different types of protein supplements available, and the ones you use will really depend on your needs, your personal tastes, and your lifestyle.