Nutrition makes up at least 60% of your training regimen. It's great to exercise but what you eat will play a larger role in how well you develop. This article covers 10 basic rules to follow when training and wanting to eat healthy to get results.
1. Carbohydrates (40-60% of calories per day)
Carbs are used to replenish glycogen stores in your body which is used for energy when you exercise. As a general rule, 2 - 3 grams of carbs per pound of body weight should be your goal each day. Slow digesting carbs will be used for your meals but will slow you down if eaten pre-workout. More on this later.
2. Protein (20-30% of calories per day)
Protein breaks down into amino acids that your body uses to build muscle fibers and in some cases, it provides an energy source as well. Depending on your fitness goals, the amount you eat will vary but as a general rule, if you are an average gym goer, 1 gram per pound of body weight will do the trick. Stick to chicken, turkey, lean beef, fish, eggs and dairy as sources.
3. Fats (20-30% of calories per day)
Yes, there are a number of bad fat sources you should avoid but there are also quite a few good ones too. Experts say that 20-30% of your calorie intake should be from fat each day. A higher fat level means a better supply of testosterone to your body. Without it, you will not grow muscle very well. Red meats will give you the saturated fats you need with mono unsaturated fats coming from nuts, avocados olive oil and peanut butter. Omega-3 oil are really good fats and come from fish and walnuts.
4. Calories
The more you exercise, the more calories you burn so you will need to eat more than an average person will eat. On the high side, 20 calories per pound per day is plenty. See how your body reacts and adjust accordingly.
5. Several Meals a Day
The standard 3 meals a day is not the norm any more. Most trainers now recommend 5-6 smaller meals each day which works out to eating every 2-3 hours all day. This will help to feed your body the nutrients and energy it needs consistently so it will grow.
6. Eat Before Bed
Contrary to what some will say, eating late at night is not a bad thing. You will be "starving" your body for the next 8 hours so a good supply of nutrients and slow digesting protein will help to keep the muscle build activities going. Casein is a good choice and is found in cottage cheese. Eat some healthy fats as well in the form of mixed nuts or peanut butter.
7. Shakes
Protein shakes are easily digested and will give your body a quick supply of protein and carbs pre and post workout. Aim for 20 grams of protein with 40 grams of carbs as a post workout supply within 30 minutes of finishing exercise and again an hour later.
8. Carb Types
Pre-workout (30 minutes before) eat a slower digesting carb to supply blood sugars for your training. Eat fruit or whole grains bread. Post workout will be different. Your body needs energy quick so stick to faster digesting carbs like white bread, potato or a sports drink like Gatorade. These drinks contain sugars and will spike your insulin that helps your body create glycogen and transport nutrients to your muscles.
9. Creatine
This is the most researched supplement on the planet. It is considered very safe to use and will help you to develop muscle mass quicker.
10. Hydrate
Loss of water will kill your chances of training well and getting results. Especially with creatine use, you need to drinks lots of water every day to build muscle mass and to flush out waste by products of metabolism.
My name is Jacques Delorme and I run a youth nutrition blog at http://visportsnutrition.ca where you can get all sorts of information on nutrition, exercise and motivation for youth athletes. Visit my site and feel free to leave comments and questions if you need more information.
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