Bodybuilders require a diet rich in protein, low in saturated fat, and high in carbohydrates to maintain the energy needed for intense weight training. Nutritional supplements are a good addition to a bodybuilder's diet because they are generally designed to facilitate new muscle growth and aid in the repair of any damaged muscles. It is important to choose a nutrient rich diet to promote optimum health and ensure the body is not deficient in vitamins or nutrients while engaging in bulking up muscles.
When bodybuilders are engaging in weight training, muscles are worked at a maximum capacity and need to be revitalized afterward. A bodybuilder's diet that is high in protein will be helpful not only to help build muscle mass, but also to help repair the muscles that may be injured or tired after the workout. The human body cannot store protein like carbohydrates so it is important to replenish protein levels throughout the day.
A diet that is low in saturated fat will benefit most people, and is often recommended for good health. When bodybuilders engage in a low fat diet, it will help to make it possible to increase muscle and while avoiding fat gain. Cooking with oils that are low in fat, such as flax seed oil or olive oil, is a healthy alternative to cooking with butter. Diets that are high in saturated fats can cause hardening of the arteries and high cholesterol, which can both lead to stroke or heart attack.
Eating a diet high in carbohydrates will benefit a bodybuilder because the carbohydrates can be stored for later use. Complex carbohydrates are the best type of carbohydrates to add to a bodybuilder's diet because they provide the body with nutrients and long sustaining energy. Complex carbohydrates are found in whole grain foods, potatoes, rice, and beans.
Staying away from simple carbohydrates will help to maintain energy levels for the long term. Simple carbohydrates are made of sugar and honey, which only provide a short-term energy boost and no nutritional value. It is important that a person is active in bodybuilding while eating a diet high in complex carbohydrates. If activity decreases, so should the carbohydrates in a diet. Otherwise, the body will store them and they will turn into fat instead of energy.
Any of these factors can be helpful additions to a bodybuilder's diet, but it is also important to maintain certain levels of energy in a person who is actively building muscles. Muscles that have been exercised in weight training are working and burning fat even when a person is sleeping. Small and frequent meals can maintain energy levels throughout the day.
