Archive for August 5th, 2008

Building Muscle Mass Through Diet

Tuesday, August 5th, 2008

While many of those focused on building muscle mass concentrate on their workouts, diet is a great supplemental component to assist in reaching one’s fitness goals. In order to build muscle mass, it is best to eat several smaller meals throughout the day. This means approximately 4-6 meals, or one every 2 ½ to 3 hours. The largest meal of the day should be eaten at breakfast to ensure even calorie distribution throughout the day.

Protein should account for 35% of overall daily calories, which is about 40-60 grams for a 200 pound man. Each meal should also include vegetables, and a smaller amount of carbohydrates and fats in order to=2 0balance one’s diet and keep energy levels from sinking. Try to eat lean proteins in order to build muscle mass such as chicken, turkey, salmon, tuna, egg whites, cottage cheese and yogurt. When coupled with intense muscle building workouts, this diet is ideal. While not necessary, depending on your workout intensity, this diet can be paired with muscle building supplements, but it is not recommended that supplements account for more than 40% of your daily intake. Whole foods, such as the proteins listed above, should be no less than 60% of your total diet.