Rapid Fat Loss Diets

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Nutrition Basics for Beginning Bodybuilders

By Kelle T. Bates

Eating right is an important element of bodybuilding success, especially if you're a beginning athlete. Sound nutrition will help you maintain a steady level of energy and ensure you can complete each and every workout session; the only way you'll be able to build muscle and strength in the long-term is by eating enough calories throughout the day and getting enough rest. Eating the wrong foods at the wrong time can set you up for disaster, and severely limit your performance and muscle gains.

According to Catherine Ratzin Jackson, author of the book "Nutrition for the Recreational Athlete", the eating habits of bodybuilders aren't always based on sound nutritional advice. She explains that many bodybuilders base their diet strategies on tips they've read in bodybuilding magazines or from -experts' at nutrition stores. Unfortunately, much of this advice is usually one-sided and does not provide the complete picture of the essentials of calorie intake, protein requirements and specific types of food to eat for weight loss. If you're just getting started with bodybuilding, here are some essential rules of nutrition used by professional bodybuilders:

1. Do not rush your weight loss. Rushing your weight loss will make it more difficult for you to achieve your desired strength and muscle gain as lean body tissues also disintegrate during rapid weight loss. This type of weight loss is most likely the result of a low-calorie diet, which often leads to electrolyte imbalances. A low-fat and high-protein diet can be detrimental to your health and in your ability to be in your ideal body weight.

2. Calculate your protein requirement and track your protein intake daily. Our bodies use protein for building and repairing muscles. You won't see any results if you consume too little or overload your body with protein. The recommended daily allowance (RDA) gives us a measure of how much protein we need to take. RDA is different for every individual but it is usually set at 0.8 g/kg for physical inactive individuals and 1.0-1.5 g/kg for athletes. Check the nutrition facts of every food product you consume to keep track of your protein consumption.

3. Get used to eating organic. The best foods we can eat are still unprocessed, natural foods. Eating foods from plant and animal sources that are loaded with nutrients is the often-neglected key to bodybuilding success. Our bodies cannot efficiently digest meal replacements and supplements. Better stick to real food so that your body will get all the nutrients it needs to develop.

4. Exercise caution in taking supplements. It is now widely acceptable to use supplements for performance enhancement. Supplements are a great help to any athlete but they do cause some negative side effects, especially if abused. Supplements are designed to be added, or supplement, our nutrition program. Supplements are by no means created to replace proper diet and exercise.

5. Pay attention to the foods you eat before and after your workout session. These are your primetime muscle building periods, so it's essential to keep track of what and when you're eating. Maintain a food log if necessary so you can become more conscientious about your food choices and get the timing right. - 17273

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