The most important factor that will help you to gain strength and build your muscles is the nutrients that you put into your body while doing so. Nutrition plays just as big a role in bodybuilding as the physical activity of weight lifting does.
A lot of nutritional supplements sold for gaining lean muscle tout the benefits of high-protein foods. This is a critical part of the plan, but you also need to look at the diversity in your diet and include fats, carbohydrates, and proper vitamins. Without a diverse diet, you could suffer from a deficiency in vitamin E and end up with leg cramps, a sure way to stop any workout routine. A lack of vitamin A could lead to dizziness. A balanced diet with healthy foods is the best way to ensure optimal health and build strong muscles.
So, what are some vital foods you can work into your diet to support your goal to gain muscle?
- Eggs
When you eat whole eggs, you are giving yourself a lot of high protein, healthy fats, B vitamins, and amino acids that boost workout recovery. Eggs are a good option at any time of the day.
- Pineapple
You don’t see fruit mentioned a lot for muscle building, but pineapple is one of the best foods to build muscle. While pineapple helps reduce inflammation, it also contains bromelein. This enzyme helps your body better digest protein, so when you start eating a high protein diet for muscle building, pineapple can help your body digest it all.
- Salmon
There are healthy food lists mentioning salmon for building muscles, heart health, weight loss, and many other goals. This food is a great choice for your overall health. It is rich in protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and B vitamins. The omega-3s reduce inflammation and aid in muscle health.
- Greek Yogurt
Greek yogurt usually has twice the amount of protein of regular yogurt. You’ll always benefit from eating this as a snack, but it is especially useful post-workout.
- Protein Powder
Protein powder will help you build muscles and it’s not just a gym trend. Look for protein powders with whey, as they will naturally have all 20 of the amino acids that will help you build muscle and recover after your workout. You can add protein powder to smoothies, shakes, and even some full meals without noticing a change in taste.
- Almonds
Having as many muscle-building snacks on hand as you can is always useful. When you’re grabbing a Greek Yogurt in the morning, also throw a bag of almonds in your bag. These nuts are packed with vitamin E, which helps healthy muscle recovery, and they have protein to boot. You can also look for almond butter to mix into your diet.