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	Home > Nutrition > Basic Bodybuilding Nutrition Basic Bodybuilding Nutrition

Okay, you're working out, you've got focus, you've set goals, and you're determined to succeed. But wait! An integral part of getting lean is nutrition! Basic bodybuilding nutrition is at least as important as training when it comes to getting the lean, toned, ripped, cut-up body you want. Many champion bodybuilders will tell you that getting a championship physique is 50% training and 50% diet and nutrition. The value of proper nutrition gets even higher as a competition approaches. It's important to understand the basics of bodybuilding nutrition before you dive totally into it so you have a firm foundation of understanding and realize why you do what you need to do!

Yes, yes, yes…you've heard it over and over…"you are what you eat"…well, it's true! You're body is the exact mirror of what you put into it and how you workout to utilize it. Well balanced diets in conjunction with bodybuilding can lead to a lean and toned body, while eating junk-food, fatty foods, and little protein can lead to a flabby appearance even if you are working out!!! So, remember these basic rules and you should be just fine for developing the physique you want! They are easy to follow and you'll find that you have more energy, strength, and better health when you abide by these simple guidelines:

• Always eat for the benefit of your body rather than for taste.
• Include as much variety in your diet as possible.
• It's better to consume five or six smaller meals throughout the day then two or three feasts.
• Include a fair to large amount of high quality protein in your diet throughout the day.
• Cut out as much animal fat out of your diet as possible.
• Eat your food as fresh and lightly cooked as possible to make sure you get all of the value out of it.
• Make sure you're getting a high amount of natural carbs found in grains, tubers, fruits and veggies.
• Drink at the very minimum 8-10 glasses of water per day.
• Supplement your diet with a multivitamin-multimineral and digestive enzymes every day without fail.
• Avoid junk food and empty calories.
• Don't drink your calories with such drinks as O.J. or soda pop.
• Don't miss meals so that you "make up for them" later. Missing meals puts your body in a fat-storing mode.
• Don't add extra sodium (salt) to your food.
• Avoid excessive alcohol. Recent studies confirm that a glass of red wine a day is good for you because of the flavanoids, but avoid drinking excessively!

If you follow the above simple guidelines to start with along with consistently working out, then you can't not get lean and be healthier! If you want to splurge every once in awhile and eat some chocolate cake and ice cream or eat a big meal at a restaurant, that is okay…just don't make a habit out of it! Make it a once in awhile treat to reward yourself. Otherwise follow the health guidelines above and you will see results in no time. Here's an example day:

• 8AM - meal 1: eggs, whole grain toast, half a cantaloupe, one or two glasses of skim milk, and a multipack of vitamins & minerals. An excellent way to start the day.
• 11AM - meal 2: yogurt (digestive enzymes), raw nuts, an apple, orange, or other fruit, 5-10 free form amino acid capsules
• 2PM - meal 3: broiled fish, dry baked potato, steamed green veggies, one or two glasses of skim milk
• 5PM - meal 4: tuna sandwhich or salad, a scoop of nonfat cottage cheese, a piece of fruit, 5-10 free form amino acid caps
• 8PM - meal 5: skinned, broiled chicken breast, brown rice, a green or yellow veggie or a large salad, iced tea, and a multipack of vitamins and minerals
• 11PM - meal 6: a protein shake before bed

That would be the ideal day of eating and supplementing for a bodybuilder in training. It gives your body everything it needs and in the right proportions so as to maintain a lean physique. Your nutritional needs are met and your body will really be able to grow and get cut as a result.