What are your top five bodybuilding super foods - foods that must be staples in a diet and that no serious bodybuilder should be
without? Great question and one that is asked too often.. so here are the top five bodybuilding super foods! Enjoy.
#1 Meat
Yep, good, old-fashioned grilled animal flesh. This category includes both red meat and chicken, both of which are staples in
virtually every bodybuilder's nutritional arsenal. Both contain loads of muscle building protein, and beef in particular is full
of other nutrients. Just be sure to choose leaner cuts, as they'll have less saturated fat. A good hint is to look for the words
"round" or "loin."
#2 Oatmeal
Oatmeal is arguably one of the highest quality sources of carbohydrates that you can eat, and it's probably one of the most
common foods eaten by bodybuilders. Oatmeal is rich in energy-sustaining carbohydrates, and it contains both soluble and insoluble
fiber, the former of which has cholesterol-lowering properties. Its convenience can also not be overlooked.
#3 Eggs
Outside of whey protein supplements, eggs are the highest quality source of protein you can eat. Most bodybuilders toss the yolks,
but truth be told, they're loaded with various vitamins and minerals. So while the fat (only a small amount of it is saturated)
is found there as well, you'd be well served to throw a yolk or two into your egg-white omelet. Egg whites have also really caught
on these days, and you can pick up a container of pasteurized egg whites at any grocery store.
#4 Essential Fats
Though not a food per Se, the importance of essential fats cannot be overlooked, so I've included them here. Gone are the days
when fat was to be avoided like the plague. Much research has confirmed the benefits of adding healthy fats to your diet. In
addition to the many health benefits that come with essential fat intake, incorporating healthy fats into your diet may help with
nitrogen retention, energy, metabolism, insulin junction, and testosterone levels - in the end, an all-around greater anabolic
environment, which is exactly what you want. Examples of good sources include flaxseed oil, fish oils, nuts, avocado and extra-virgin
olive oil.
#5 Legumes
OK, you probably didn't expect this one, but legumes definitely belong on this list. It's already been said that oatmeal is one
of the highest quality sources of carbs that you can eat. Well, the various legumes are arguably even better. Legumes rank very
low on the glycemic index, which means they're easily digested and they enter the bloodstream nice and slowly. In addition, legumes
are loaded with fiber, which is also important for keeping a bodybuilder's energy levels and blood sugar stable. Excellent sources
include pinto beans, kidney beans, lima beans, black beans, and chickpeas.
