The Best Bodybuilding Foods to Eat For That Dream Body

There are many supplements and diet foods on the market that promise to help build amazing muscle mass. Unfortunately, these muscle building supplements and pills are extremely expensive. There is also the fact that one never knows if they will trigger dangerous side effects in the body. Ultimately, you don’t need these commercial supplements to build strong muscle; you can do this through your diet.

Many people interested in bodybuilding have discovered that they can build and maintain healthy muscle mass from the foods they eat. Although you will not get rapid muscle growth from regular foods, you can slowly build muscle without indulging in supplements that could be harmful to your health.

Regular foods for bodybuilding

The foods you need to include in your diet to promote healthy growth of muscle mass, are easily available. It’s common for weight lifters to use the low carb diet for weight loss for fitness. Some good examples of foods used to attain fitness are;

- Salmon

If you are looking for fish to include in your diet to build and maintain your muscles, then salmon is the answer. Salmon is rich in protein and omega three fatty acids. These two nutrients are excellent for repairing worn out muscle tissue. Salmon is also filling and keeps hunger pangs at bay. It’s excellent for weight loss and works well in building and maintaining healthy muscles.

- Eggs
Most people have access to eggs, and it also helps that there so many interesting ways to prepare them when making meals. Hence, eggs will never bore you and they contain lots of proteins to help you build strong muscles. Eggs also contain omega three fatty acids and other vitamins that are important for your health. They are also filling, hence will help you avoid unnecessary snacks during the day.

- Sweet Potatoes

If you must have starchy carbohydrates in your diet, then sweet potatoes are the right choice for bodybuilding. First of all, the sweetness of sweet potatoes will help you get over cravings for sweet, unhealthy things. They also contain fiber that will help you feel full thereby decreasing the chances of snacking on unhealthy items. Best of all, sweet potatoes will provide you with the energy you need to work out hard so as to build and maintain the muscles you desire to have.

- Healthy nuts and seeds

Healthy nuts and seeds such as flax seeds, pumpkin seeds, almonds, sunflower seeds and cashew nuts are excellent for weightlifters and low carb diets for weight loss. These nuts and seeds contain lots of healthy fats and fiber that are good for bodybuilding. The healthy fats help to keep your joints well lubricated and also cut down on unhealthy cholesterol in the body. Nuts and seeds in moderation are a healthy snack to eat to help keep hunger pangs at bay. The fats in nuts and seeds also act as a healthy source of energy. Eat them with fruits or low-fat yogurt for a healthy snack between meals.

The Best Exercises and Tips for Weight Loss

The goals of the exercises for weight loss are two dimensional. One goal is to burn sufficient calories and the other is the improvement of muscle mass. One can engage in cardiovascular exercises or aerobics which are performed vigorously and help in burning calories. Mentioned below are the efficient exercises which will help in losing weight and increasing heart rate.
Running – it is an effective aerobic and cardiovascular workout. It is very popular and can be done outdoors as well as indoors. A treadmill can be used while running indoors. The leg muscles are targeted and a lot of calories are burnt in a short span of time. It is an efficient strategy of cardio workout which has a very high impact.

Elliptical training – One should take elliptical training from a trainer which gives benefits similar to that of aerobics. A person can work on his arms, chest, shoulders, and legs and back simultaneously. A person can burn lot of calories by elliptical training. Feet can be gently placed on the pedals and upright poles should be firmly grasped by both hands. Legs and arms should be gradually moved alternatively.

Squat and press – There are some exercises for weight loss which do not include vigorous movements. An excellent example is that of a squat and press. It has the things combined, an overhead push press and a front squat. To lose more weight, dumbbells or barbells should be held in each hand. Keeping the distance of the feet as the shoulders, knees should be bent and one should lower oneself. The back should remain straight and the abs should remain taut. Before repeating this step, one should hold himself in that position for a few seconds.

Squat thrust – In squat thrust the body is used as a natural weight in order to burn calories. The legs, core and the arms are targeted. Arms should be rested at the sides and the distance between the feet and shoulders should remain the same. One must lower himself with bent knees to the ground and place the hands on the ground. Then one must land on the toes by kicking a leg backward. The back should remain straight. Then one must hop on both the feet before repeating this.

Walking – Many people considered walking as a trivial activity. Walking helps to a great extent in burning calories. It is one of the best exercises for weight loss. No assistance from trainer or special equipment is required. Weight loss videos are easily available on the internet for those who wish to get more guidance and tips.

What is Dukan Diet and its side-effects?

This article gives pertinent information about Dukan Diet and its side-effects

mediaimage
Pierre Dukan, a French doctor and nutritionist, challenged with the case of obesity started to look for alternative ways in curing the illness. After 20 years of thorough research he published in the year 2000, a book called, “Je ne sais pas maigrir” or translated as, “I don’t know how to get slimmer.” It gained the best-seller in France after a year it has been published.
It was made a hit in UK when Kate Middleton, now the duchess of Cambridge, tried the Dukan Diet before her marriage to the beloved Prince William, she reportedly claimed a loss of two dress sizes. It also allegedly claimed to help five million French. The book is also gaining fame in the US in the year 2011 when actress/singer, Jennifer Lopez, lost pounds after her pregnancy by following this diet.
Dukan Diet: What is it? How does this work?
Dukan Diet is similar to the famous Atkins diet. Atkins and Dukan are much alike in terms of non-intake of carbs initially and do not require portion control or counting calorie consumptions. In Atkins, it requires net carbohydrate intakes and unlike Dukan, it suggests a daily intake of oats, increase water consumption and 20 minutes of everyday brisk walking. Dukan Diet adopts four phases namely: Attack, Cruise, Consolidation and Stabilization.
Four Phases of the Dukan Diet
Attack: In this starter phase, the dieter is only allowed take protein rich foods that are exquisitely low in fat. Dr. Dukan provided 72-item list of foods to be eaten, it excludes pork, lamb, poultry products and cheeses. Food should always be cooked but without adding any fat to it, it best to cook in grilling or roasting. It also requires you to eat 1 ½ tbsp. oat bran & 1.5 liters of water per day. This phase should be followed around 2-7 days or more. Results from this initial phase within 5 days may result in 4-7 lbs. loss. This phase promotes quick loss of weight since it is strictly based on a protein-only diet.
Cruise: Cruise, the second to the fourth phase of the Dukan diet scheme. During this phase dieters who were only allowed to eat protein-only foods can now alternate a 28-items of non-starchy vegetables. They may take attack phase diet for today and take non-starchy veggie diet for tomorrow, and so this phase must go on by alternating these two types of diet each day. This phase may last long enough as much as you want by reaching your desired weight and assuring 2 pounds per week loss.
Consolidation: As one achieves the desired weight, one has to go the next phase called Consolidation, this is the maintenance phase of this diet scheme where you have to prevent putting back excess pounds. The plan in this phase is less strict compared to the first two phases. During this phase you are permitted to eat protein-only and veggie diet along with a piece of low-sugar fruit, 2 slices of whole grain bread and a portion of hard cheese. In this phase you are allowed to have 1-2 serving of starchy foods and one celebration meal per week. The phase of consolidation does not expect to loss off pounds but rather it is steadily the maintenance process.
Stabilization: Stabilization is the final phase and a life-long phase of the diet scheme. In here maintenance of the life-changing diet may be a challenging and tempting. During this portion of the scheme, one is already permitted to allow any food intake that a person wants and by also sticking to the diet rule in the consolidation phase. As Pierre Dukan suggest, that staying on the phase 1 rule once a week and eat whatever you like for the rest of the week lowers the chances of regaining weight.
Pros and Cons of Dukan Diet
Pros: The fast results of this diet scheme is beneficially rewarding and motivating. It allows you to have protein and veggie meal plan diets and does not require you to count off your calorie intakes.
Cons: It is highly restrictive and can exclude healthy foods. Dieters can experience side-effects such as symptoms of headaches, nausea, lethargy, irritable and loss of concentration. Dieters may acquire halitosis (bad breath), metallic tasting mouth and strong smell in their urines. For those people who have problems with their kidneys and liver are not advised to follow this diet plan. It is not also recommended for pregnant and nursing mothers.

Views and Opinions by Health Experts on the Dukan Diet
There are lots of critics in this diet plan. Due to the restrictive type scheme of this diet, some fruits, grains and nuts which are healthy and have high amounts of vitamins and minerals that are vital to the nutrition of the body are eliminated. Keri Gans of American Dietetic Association, said that the lost amount of multivitamins that should be acquired from those restricted foods are not compensated in the Dukan diet. Experts have also criticized that experiencing such side-effects may not be healthy at all.