Bodybuilding requires the right kind of nutrition and calories along with proper training to build and sustain the right kind of muscle mass. A balanced diet is essentially a part of a healthy lifestyle which is obviously important for bodybuilders.
A balanced diet for bodybuilding should include the essential nutrients, enough energy-providing calories, and proper hydration through the intake of fluids. You must understand that the balanced diet for a non-bodybuilder and a bodybuilder will vary significantly as bodybuilding requires more calorie intake.
It depends upon factors like age, sex, and level of activity to ascertain the number of calories a bodybuilder will require. A nutrition expert can guide you to build your personalized balanced diet chart and in choosing the best supplements for bodybuilding.
5 Balanced Diet Tips for Body Building
A bodybuilder has almost similar nutrition requirements as that of an athlete. Carbohydrates should occupy 45 to 65 percent of your diet, protein intake should be 10 to 15 percent and fat must be lesser than 30 percent.
A balanced diet has a great role to play in bodybuilding as you have to take enough nutrition to build muscle but not give way to fat accumulation. Daily health requirements of vitamins and minerals should also be considered.
Carbohydrates, The Source Of Energy
Carbohydrates are broken into sugar that provides energy. Take enough fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains as these will supply enough carbohydrates essential to build muscle mass. The muscles store carbohydrates in the form of glycogen which is necessary to keep the muscles strong and in good shape. Lack of carbohydrates can weaken the muscles of bodybuilders thereby leading to fatigue.
Protein, Take it in Right Amount
Protein intake should be sufficient to assist in building muscles but shouldn’t exceed much above the required limit or else it may cause negative health impacts. Protein intake must be limited to less than 20 percent of the total calorie intake.
Soy, fish, eggs, dairy products with low-fat content, lean meat, legumes, and beans are excellent sources of protein. However, you should take care to take only healthy protein and avoid intake of unhealthy protein in the form of deep-fried items, bacon, and excessive cream. It is essential to keep fit and avoid unnecessary fat gain for bodybuilders.
Hydration, Essential for Proper Physical Functioning
Proper hydration of the body is extremely important for every human being. Bodybuilders should take this into account as they stand the risk of suffering from dehydration in order to maintain proper shape through water loss. Water intake is essential both for hydration and cleansing the body from toxins.
The organs within the body require proper hydration to function well. Along with water fluids like health drinks and fruit juices can serve to provide hydration as well as energy. You should take enough fluid before and after workouts.
Dietary Supplements
If you take a properly balanced diet and do the right kind and amount of training then you will hardly require dietary supplements. Human growth hormones, steroids, DHEA, and so on are best avoided and if consumed must be taken with expert advice.
