Muscle building is a matter of knowing yourself, and knowing your body type is not an exception as it is crucial for the plan that you are going to employ in your muscle building journey.
So, when can you say that your diet plan for muscle building is a good one? Well, the answer is simple, it should be wisely structured that aims to meet the specific needs of an individual in consideration of some factors appropriate for his body.
High-quality proteins, complex carbohydrates, and essential fats must be taken into account in the creation of a good diet plan. Bearing in mind are the elements of these nutrients particularly their right amount on a daily basis is necessary for the plan itself.
In this article, we will be highlighting one of the most crucial parts of muscle building – the diet or nutritional plan. This plan will only give support to your bodybuilding mission and you will be responsible for the most part of it. Remember that no one can help you on this journey as much as you can do.
Without further ado, welcome to Muscle Building 101 – The Diet plan.
MUSCLE BUILDING DIET PLAN #1 – KNOW YOUR BODY TYPE
In order for you to make things right, particularly the diet plan, you must first determine your body type – Ectomorph, Endomorph, or Mesomorph.
- The “hard gainer” body type (Ectomorph)
As the name suggests, it’s the body type that gains weight and builds muscle slower than the other body types. Typically, the body is petite with lengthy limbs and has a low-fat ratio.
- The “soft gainer” body type (Endomorph)
While this body type develops muscle and gains weight quickly, the metabolism rate is quite slow. Usually, people with this body type has a round physique, in women, fats are easily buildup specifically on their thighs, hips, and waist.
- The “athletic” body type (Mesomorph)
People with this body type naturally have broad shoulders, lean waist, and well-defined limbs. Athletic body type can manage bodybuilding without much effort.
These three are the most common body types, which only means that you can be categorized in any of the three, but then, some people can be a mixture of two or all body types.
PLAN #2 – STANDARD PERCENTAGE OF MACRONUTRIENTS
Macronutrients including polyunsaturated fatty acids, complex carbohydrates, and high-quality proteins should be highly prioritized in the diet for building muscles.
Consumption of these macronutrients must be consistently maintained, for example, protein synthesis is necessary for bodybuilding, but for our body to synthesize protein, it needs a regular supply of it to sustain the high concentration of amino acids in the blood.
In the same way, regular consumption of vitamins and minerals is as essential to your meal plan as macronutrients are.
PROTEIN: “THE BASIC MUSCLE BUILDING COMPONENT”
Protein is one of the major bodybuilding components wherein amino acids like isoleucine, valine, and leucine comprises it. A high-protein diet is substantial to stabilize the repairing of the body after every exercise.
Both animals and plants are a good source of protein e.g. lean meat, soya, eggs, and other dairy products to name a few. Protein shakes are also popular with bodybuilders so you might want to consider adding it to your meal plan to gain muscle.
*Recommendation: 2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight must be consumed on a daily basis.
CARBOHYDRATES: “THE MUSCLE’S MAIN SOURCE OF ENERGY”
Since carbohydrates are your muscle’s primary source of energy, insufficient consumption will negatively impact your muscle building progress. That being the case, it’s clear that the more carbohydrates the better – don’t worry about overconsumption of carbohydrate because the body has its way to store the remaining sugar in the form of glycogen which works as a reserved energy that can be used should the need arise. Complex carbohydrates can be found in oatmeal, brown rice, and various whole grain products
*Recommendation: 4 grams of carbohydrates per kilogram of body weight must be consumed on a daily basis. Avoid short-chain carbohydrate compounds like glucose as much as possible given that it can rapidly elevate your blood sugar levels.
FATS: “THE ELEMENT HARMONIZES YOUR DIET PLAN”
Along with protein and carbohydrate, a good supply of healthy fat completes and spices up your diet plan for building muscle.
Many body processes including hormone production and the release of testosterone involve quality fatty acids. These unsaturated fats can be acquired ideally from plant oils (coconut and walnut) and fish oils.
*Recommendation: 1 gram of fat per kilogram of body weight must be consumed on a daily basis.
PLAN #3 – BODYBUILDING NUTRITION TRICKS
TRICK 1: EAT 6 MEALS DAILY
A minimum of 6 meals a day promotes calorie surplus – more calorie means a higher chance of muscle gains. The best way to do this is to eat in small portions every 2 hours to reduce chances of catabolic (breakdown) state. This will also balance the level of your blood sugar as well as your metabolism rate which all affects your physical and mental functioning.
TRICK 2: STAY AWAY FROM BAD CARBOHYDRATES
Simple carbohydrates or bad carbohydrates such as sugar in soda should be avoided. Your weightlifting meal plan should focus primarily on supplying abundant carbohydrates that are compound since they are processed slowly which is good for stabilizing blood sugar levels and long-term energy supply.
TRICK 3: NUTRIENTS SHOULD BE BALANCED IN ALL FORMS
You can’t just have too many carbohydrates but insufficient protein and fats. These nutrients you intake should be balanced all the time. Make every meal full of macronutrients – whole-grain foods (carbohydrates), beef and chicken meat (protein), and coconut oil and fish (fats).
A high number of bad fats in your meal plan will only decline your physical and mental performance throughout your muscle-building mission.
TRICK 4: ADD UP DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS
Some people are having a hard time consuming enough amount of nutrients on a daily basis, a good thing, dietary supplements are available and can deal with that difficulty as they are specially formulated to enhance muscle building processes. You can include these dietary supplements:
- Whey protein – energy-boosting protein for the muscles
- Creatine powder – intensifies athletic performance
- L-glutamine – helps in the recovery and regeneration processes after every workout
TRICK 5: PRE & POST-WORKOUT MEAL
One of the most important matters to consider in muscle building is your pre and post-workout meal. You need to ensure that there is a sufficient supply of energy before, during and after a workout.
- Pre-workout meal: You need to consume a meal consisting of complex carbohydrates and protein ideally one hour before exercise e.g. 1 cup of brown rice and chicken.
- Post-workout meal: You need an effective replenishment after working out to maintain sufficient nutrients that your body needs. Within 30 minutes post-workout, you must fuel your body with a substantial meal rich in protein and fast carbohydrates like a protein shake made of strawberry and banana is ideal. High-quality protein foods like meat and egg whites in combination with complex carbohydrates like oatmeal and potatoes must be devoured preferably one hour after a workout.
TRICK 6: STAY HYDRATED ALL THE TIME
A sufficient intake of fluids, most importantly water, is crucial for your body to maintain in good condition and regenerate as it should be. Water is one of the most essential components our body relies on, without water, you can be dehydrated which will cause a decline in vital body processes. Preferably 2 to 3 liters per day or more if you are working out to compensate for the lost fluid.
Since 60% of the human body is made up of water, it only supposes that drinking is a must, and when I say drinking, it’s not just for the sake of quenching your thirst but reserving some for the next couple of hours.
TRICK 7: NO TO “HUNGER PANGS”
Prevent hunger pangs or the practice of eating a meal as soon as you get hungry by developing a well-planned diet for building muscle particularly concentrating on the required amount of calories on a daily basis as it’s crucial for a consistent muscle building and growth.
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day – you should never ever skip it. Eating healthy foods including green leafy vegetables and fruits rich in vitamin C and potassium is beneficial for your body. Replace coffee and soda with a fresh orange juice as it flushes out many toxins from the body and boosts your immune system in the long run.
Tip: A protein shake 30 minutes before bed can assist in the recovery and progress of muscles.
CONCLUSION
People are different in many aspects of life and body composition is not an exception. How the body absorbs nutrients and react to exercise routines vary from person to person. You might’ve asked yourself once “Isn’t there a better way?”
Sometimes, things will not turn out the way you wanted but that’s absolutely fine because steroids got your back. I’m assuming that what you’re thinking now – “Steroids come with bad side effects, don’t they?”
If you’re going to acquire steroids illegally from an unknown source, then, yes, you’re risking your life. Using illegal steroids make you in pursuit of an unknown outcome. Be that as it may, except, you have an option, a better and recommended option – Crazy Bulk.
Crazy bulk is a reliable source of “legal” steroids. No one knows these most sought-after legal steroids than Crazy Bulk. To give you an idea of their in-demand and most-coveted products check below:
- D-BAL
- Highest grossing legal steroid being sold online
- Contains certain ingredients known to mimic the effects of Methandrostenolone (Dianabol) which boosts secretion of testosterone, improves stamina, and increases protein synthesis
- Trenorol
- Can help in putting on mass in the shortest time possible
- It’s a working example that losing fat and building muscle at the same time is possible
- Testo Max
- A good alternative to methylated testosterone injectable but minus the unwanted side effects
- Works primarily to enhance testosterone level and maximize protein synthesis
- Known to help in reducing fat to a certain extent
- Decaduro
- Called the “Powerful” anabolic steroid for its abundant effects and real results on bulking up
- This steroid works by increasing nitrogen retention and decreasing fat concentration at the same time
- Clenbutrol
- One of the safest alternative fat-burning steroids due to its natural and organic nature
- Unlike other legal steroids that are intended for bulking up, this one works primarily to reduce fat percentage but without the risk of losing lean muscle mass.
- Winsol
- Works as a fat-burning steroid but it shreds fat faster than Clenbutrol while maintaining the muscle mass you may have gained
- Anvarol
- Functions similarly as Clenbutrol and Winsol
- Regarded for its efficacy in increasing muscle density and maximizing the overall power of the body
Actually, it’s true that illegal anabolic steroids have shown powerful results over the years, but, in spite of that, it has also shown adversative consequences on the person taking it. This only makes legal steroids, Crazy Bulk, for instance, the most reliable and safe substitute that offers essential outcomes but minus the fact of risking your life to unknown out-turn. For additional information about Crazy Bulk – click here
Although this diet plan has proven its efficacy, it may never work without you putting it into action and sustaining it in the long-run. You might think that your adherence to this plan is the only thing that matters but definitely NO.
You may consider welcoming this diet plan to your muscle-building journey, however, if you notice that it’s not working no matter what, something you’re doing might not be ideal for you. The fact that it’s not working on you doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s not an effective diet plan, perhaps, it might be your individual needs and lifestyle that should be taken into consideration. If in any case, this happens, go back to how we started – muscle building is a matter of knowing yourself.