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Building muscle is one topic that captures the imagination of people everywhere. People try to build muscle because of different reasons. Some build muscle to keep themselves fit and to have an edge in sports and other physical activities. Others build muscle to enhance their looks, as some people do get attracted to a body that is sculpted nicely. And then there are those that build muscle for the sake of a healthy hobby. While workouts are an essential part of building muscle, diet is at least half the battle. What to eat to build muscle? You’ll find the answer to that question and more in this article.

To better understand what to eat to build muscle, it would be a good idea to discuss first what the needs of muscles are. Muscles are composed of 70 percent water and 20 percent protein. In addition, muscles also need carbohydrates to provide energy for their metabolism. And the amount of food a person needs to consume depends on the level of activity he/she has. In a nutshell, that explains what types of food you should consume.


With that said, the first answer to the question “what to eat to build muscle” is any source that is rich in protein. One good source of protein is any type of meat, may it be fish, seafood, poultry, red meat, or game. Not only are these sources rich in protein, but they are also complete with amino acids necessary for building up muscle mass. Not only that, but proteins coming from these sources are also considered to be “high-quality” protein, that is, they are more readily absorbed by the body. Meats that have lesser fat content are better alternatives if you just want to build pure muscle mass.

Another good answer to the question “what to eat to build muscle” is milk, even though it’s more like you’ll be drinking it. Milk and other milk products such as cheese contain a high concentration of protein that is readily absorbed by the body. Not only that, but milk also contains calcium that is not only essential for keeping bones sturdy but also because it is an important part of muscular contraction. However, milk may not be advisable for those who are lactose intolerant.

Lastly, you’ll need carbohydrates. Of course, some would say “wait, isn’t carbohydrates supposed to be reduced to enhance physical fitness?”, but that is an incomplete conclusion. Muscles need carbohydrates to provide for their energy requirements. With that said, here are some carbohydrate-rich food sources that you’ll need to include in your what to eat to build muscle list. Whole grains are most recommended because not only do they contain fiber, but they also possess more nutrients than processed grains. Some vegetables such as potatoes are also good sources of carbs.

Those are just some of the most recommended foods for the development of your muscles. Now that you know what to eat to build muscle, it’s time to build your diet around them. A combination of good diet and physical activity is a sure fire way to get that body you are wishing to have.


Resources:

ABC Health-http://www.abc.net.au/health/talkinghealth/factbuster/stories/2011/08/18/3296409.htm

CNNHealth-http://edition.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/expert.q.a/06/05/building.muscle.nutrition.jampolis/index.html

Men’s Health-http://www.menshealth.co.uk/food-nutrition/muscle-foods/eat-all-week-to-build-muscle-332752