Bodybuiding Protein

Discussion of Bodybuilding and Protein

Bodybuilding protein

Bodybuilders need extra protein and other essentials for the additional calories they burn during work outs. For nutrition, the body needs Magnesium, Calcium, Iron, Sodium and others - protein must be present adequately. In fact, protein is the most important nutrient for a bodybuilder, because they are the building blocks. While, carbohydrates do the actual building and fats make hormones, but the fact remains that without enough building blocks to make new tissue or maintain them, there would not be sufficient energy in the body.

Protein works best for a bodybuilder when it is taken with carbohydrates. At least 200 grams of carbohydrates are required to be taken daily to adequately accommodate the protein intake. But for a 200 pound bodybuilder, the carbohydrates intake should be 300 grams. It is better for the bodybuilder to take more carbohydrates than protein per meal. This will facilitate the absorption of protein.

What are the sources of protein? The sources of protein are many, and each has its respective values. The ones a bodybuilder should be considering are soy, milk, egg, meat, casein and whey protein.

What happens if the bodybuilder is a vegetarian? Is there a protein imbalance in the diet of such a person?

Plant foods contain the very same 8 amino acids as animal foods do, only in differing amounts. The fact is that, as long as you are getting enough calories from a healthy diet, plant foods can give the bodybuilder all the amino acids that are necessary.

Grains - Brown rice, oats (cereals - oatmeal, granola, etc.), corn, barley, wheat (including whole wheat bread, pastas, cereals, flour, etc.)
Legumes - Green peas, lentils, chick peas, alfalfa sprouts and beans of all kinds (kidney, lima, navy beans, soy beans and products made from them; e.g., tofu, textured vegetable protein granules and soy milks), peanuts, etc.
Nuts and Seeds - Almond, cashew, walnut, filbert, pistachio, pecan and nut butter made from them.

Here are a few great high protein combinations for the vegetarian bodybuilder.

Corn Tacos with Pinto Beans
Oat Bran Muffins with Soymilk
Brown Rice with Green Peas and Tofu
Whole Grain Bread with Peanut Butter and Jelly
Tofu Yogurt with Walnuts
Noodles with Sesame Seeds

Even if you are not a bodybuilder, protein is highly recommended as a food source.

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