The role Diet Plays in Building Muscle!

The role your diet plays in building muscle! No matter how intense your workouts are, without the proper diet your muscle gains are limited. The proper diet plays a key role in packing on lean muscle mass.

So what is the proper diet? Well a diet high in protein and carbohydrates, but low in fat! The diet should consist of six to eight meals a day with the most important meal being the post workout meal, which should be higher in protein. The diet should consist of 40% protein, 40% carbohydrates, and 20% fat.

Your protein intake is very important since protein contains amino acids which are the building blocks of lean muscle. The recommended protein intake for the serious athlete is 1 to 1.5 g of protein per pound of body weight. The diet should consist of protein rich foods such as milk, cheese, lean beef etc. etc. Supplementing a protein powder along with your diet is recommended to help maintain the high protein intake.

Carbohydrates are necessary in the production of energy. Carbohydrates are stored in the muscle than the liver. During a workout the carbohydrates are converted into ATP and used as energy. Without the proper amount of carbohydrates, energy levels don't get high enough to produce intense enough workouts that build lean muscle. So it is important to maintain a moderate intake of carbohydrates to make sure your body has plenty of fuel during your workouts.

The fat in your diet is a necessity but it should come from sources such as extra virgin olive oil, nuts, and fish oil.

The role your diet plays in Building Muscle! So maintaining a balanced diet that's high in protein and carbohydrates but low in fat is necessary in packing on those pounds of lean muscle. If you're trying to get rid of a few pounds, then you need to cut back on the complex carbs in your diet. Maintaining a balanced diet is also a key factor in promoting good health.

Push it hard! And Pump It!

Michael C.
http://wwwpumpit-sportsnutrition.blogspot.com/