BODYBUILDING NUTRITION BASICS

A beginner bodybuilder would be wise to follow sound nutritional practices for long-term success. Eating right will give you ample energy that will help you last each workout session. The only path to long-term muscle and strength gain is through adequate rest and eating sufficient amounts of calories daily. Not eating the right foods at the right time will just decrease your potential growth and render all your hard work useless.

Bodybuilders don’t always get the best nutritional advice, according to Catherine Ratzin Jackson, author of “Nutrition for the Recreational Athlete”. She explains that bodybuilders source these advices from tips provided by magazines and nutrition stores’ experts. These sources may mean well in giving out advices, but most of the time, these sources do not bother to be as precise in giving out information. Take these advices with a grain of salt. Get your facts about nutrition right. Here is some nutrition basics accepted and followed by professional bodybuilders.

1. Avoid rapid weight loss. Rapid weight loss can result in the loss of lean body tissue and make it very difficult to increase muscle size and strength. Extreme weight loss often results from starvation or low-calorie diets, and may result in electrolyte imbalances, water and important lean body mass. High protein, low-fat diets can be harmful to your health and may prevent you from achieving your ideal body weight.

2. Use calculations to determine your protein requirements. Protein is essential for building strength, but you won’t be able to achieve any results with your bodybuilding routine if you’re eating too much or too little protein; the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of protein is 0.8g/ kg per day for sedentary individuals, and 1.0-1.5 g/kg for athletes. You will need to start reading the nutrition labels of different foods to make sure you are getting enough protein in the diet.

3. Quality counts. Eating quality food - wholesome, unprocessed food - as often as possible is an important part of your bodybuilding program. Eating nutrient-rich foods from plant and animal sources will help you achieve your goals faster; avoid counting solely on meal replacements and supplements that leave you feeling hungry and are not metabolized as efficiently as real food.

4. Exercise caution in taking supplements. It is now widely acceptable to use supplements for performance enhancement. Supplements are a great help to any athlete but they do cause some negative side effects, especially if abused. Supplements are designed to be added, or supplement, our nutrition program. Supplements are by no means created to replace proper diet and exercise.

5. Pay attention to the foods you eat before and after your workout session. These are your primetime muscle building periods, so it’s essential to keep track of what and when you’re eating. Maintain a food log if necessary so you can become more conscientious about your food choices and get the timing right.

Barry M. Newman Fitness body building and forming, body health, Fitness, herbal remedies, natural health, sports nutrition

Protein is an essential nutrient for the body, especially for the muscles. The general recommendation is an intake of around .3 grams of protein for each pound a person weighs. For athletes and bodybuilders, though, the requirement is higher because the body is working harder and demands more. The recommendation jumps from .3 to 1.25 grams for this group of people.

The total amount of protein intake is important, but equally important are the sources. Most people are able to get enough protein from their diet; but many athletes require supplements to meet their daily requirements for this nutrient. Protein supplements are usually made from four different sources. Each of these sources are different and athletes should choose according to their needs.

The four protein sources common in protein supplements are whey, soy, casein and egg. While some protein supplements are made from just one source, most often there will be protein from two of these sources in a given protein supplement.

Whey protein comes from milk. It is the most common choice in protein supplements. This type of protein is made up of nonessential and essential amino acids. Essential amino acids are not made by the body naturally and must come through diet. The body takes well to whey protein and will use it easily and safely. The only concern about whey protein is that it is not safe for those with a milk allergy or who are lactose intolerant. Concentrated whey protein is most often preferred as it more available and less expensive. Concentrated forms contain anywhere from 30 to 85% protein. The isolate forms will have about 90%, but are more expensive and harder to find. Whey protein helps to boost the immune system, provides amino acids and helps for quick muscle recovery and prevents muscle breakdown.

Soy protein is derived from soy flour. This is the most complete vegetable protein known and like whey protein, there are isolates and concentrated forms available; isolates are higher in protein but more expensive. Easily digestible, soy protein is suitable for everyone except for the small number of people who are allergic to soy. Soy protein can be added to foods easily and is beneficial in lowering blood cholesterol.

Egg protein comes from egg whites. It is fat free and very high in protein. It contains all the essential amino acids and is completely absorbed by the body. It is considered the best protein source. It should not be used by people who have egg allergies.

Casein is another protein derived from milk. Casein protein is digested more slowly than whey, which makes it a protein often combined with other, more quickly digester proteins. Casein protein is ideal for adding to pre-workout meals or before bed. As with whey protein, those with milk allergies should avoid casein protein.

When you’re shopping for protein supplements, always read the label to make sure that the protein sources used are suitable for your needs and that you can safely ingest. Protein supplements can be a great thing ” but make sure you choose well.

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