Bodybuilding is more than just a hobby; it is a complete lifestyle. Even if you work out for an hour every day, that’s about 4% of your day. What you do in the remaining 96% plays a vital role in your gains.
Bodybuilding is a physically intensive activity. Muscles get micro-tears during strength training, and they need nutrients from food to heal; new muscle tissue forms around the tears, which is seen as muscular growth. Most bodybuilders worldwide can attest that they feel hungry after working out. If you are looking for healthy snacks for bodybuilders, you have come to the right place.
If you feel an intense urge to snack, know that it’s our body’s natural response when we want more food. However, just like how a rocket needs the right fuel to fly high, bodybuilders need to get the right snacks to reach their fitness goals.
Before we begin, let’s look into ideal healthy snacks for bodybuilding.
What is an Ideal Snack for Bodybuilders?
An ideal snack for bodybuilding should provide the nutrition that supports a person’s fitness goals. If you want to increase muscle mass, commonly known as bulking, look for a high-calorie meal containing a larger portion of protein and healthy fats and carbs. The ideal snack for bodybuilding would also contain fiber that promotes good digestion. On the other hand, if someone is looking to lose fat and bring definition to their muscles, a low fat, low carb, and high lean protein meal would be the way to go.
In this blog post, we will discuss snacks for bodybuilders based on goals in detail to help you find what is best for you. Keep reading to find out!
Healthy Snacks for Bodybuilders Looking to Cut
1. Protein Bars (Expensive)
Protein bars are a natural go-to for bodybuilders looking for a tasty, effective, and hassle-free snack. You can eat protein bars without worrying about calories and meal preparation. Protein bars are popular because they are easy to eat for people on the go and can be consumed at any time. However, they are pricey, so they may not be the best snack for the budget-conscsius bodybuilders.
2. Green Leafy Vegetables (Best, Natural)
Leafy green vegetables are ideal for bodybuilders who are in the cutting phase. They contain minerals and vitamins, which give you an overall boost and also give the body much-needed detox effects. Green leafy vegetables like spinach, cabbage, and broccoli are high in protein and low in calories. A bowl of spinach can be as filling as a complete meal, but it can have as little as 30 calories.
3. Egg Whites
Egg whites come as close to raw protein as you can in nature since they are a great protein source available everywhere that’s also economical. You get more protein than fats and carbs with this option. You might have seen old-school bodybuilders chugging down half a dozen egg whites like a regular drink. Eggs have a universal availability, which can be depended upon as a cheap and natural source of nutrition.
4. Lean Whey Protein Shake
You might have already seen different protein powders sold in health stores and supplement websites. If you want to gain clean protein in an easy and accessible manner, drinking whey protein shakes is the way. Most supplement brands offer them, and you’ll have different options according to your flavor preference and budget. Like protein bars, you can consume them at any time, and they are easy to carry on the go as well.
Healthy Snacks for Bodybuilders Looking to Bulk
1. String Cheese
String cheese is an excellent snack for bodybuilders who are bulking. It packs a decent amount of protein while providing a suitable amount of other macronutrients. Since cheese is a dairy product, it brings all the benefits and goodness of milk. In string form, cheese is easy to eat and enjoy. However, make sure you can go wrong on this one if you eat them too much. So, keep an eye on the quantity that you consume.
2. Canned Fish
Fish is one of the best and purest forms of protein available to us in today’s day and age. Canned fish is easy to get from the market and available in various varieties. The best thing about canned fish is that you can eat it on its own and add it to your salads and other snacks. Tuna is arguably the go-to with fish because of its easy availability at most stores and great taste.
3. Whole Eggs
Whole eggs are as good for bulking as egg whites are suitable for cutting. Egg yolks are high in cholesterol and fats, which are not as bad as the media makes them be. In fact, cholesterol is an excellent source for muscle growth and is as close to a natural testosterone booster as you can get. Testosterone is essential for muscle growth, and egg yolks are the way to go. Do consume whole eggs in moderation; these egg yolks can be taxing on the digestive system.
4. Nuts
Nuts are an excellent high-calorie snack option that has a superb macronutrient distribution. They have a great blend of fiber, protein, and carbs, and they are an excellent bulking snack when taken in moderation. Nuts present multiple options such as cashews, almonds, walnuts, etc. The key to success here is to avoid salted versions because they can spike sodium which is not good in the long run.
Our Concluding Thoughts
In conclusion, snacking is an essential facet of any bodybuilder’s diet. You cannot ignore it completely, and the sooner you integrate healthy snacks, the better it will be for your mind and body. The lesson here is to find the right snack based on your goals while satisfying your taste buds.
Remember, you cannot out-train a bad diet, and unplanned and unregulated snacking can make reaching your fitness goals challenging. Follow a healthy, high-protein diet, and choose your snacks wisely!
Happy snacking!
