Great bodies are created in the kitchen and the gym just does the fine tuning. What you eat determines not only your health, but also how well you build muscle tissue and your workout endurance. You shouldn’t leave that important job to anyone else, particularly a fast food restaurant. That’s why it’s important to know that fit men cook.
You won’t build big muscles or even be healthy unless you eat a wholesome well balanced diet.
What you eat can even help you build muscle tissue faster. If you’re grabbing your meals out of the freezer section or even at fast food restaurants, it’s time to make changes. The closer you eat foods to their natural state, the more nutrient packed it will be. You can get as fancy as you want, creating sauces and using fresh herbs with a meal that takes longer to prepare or just keep it simple, grilling vegetables and meat or fish and serving them with pasta rice or a salad. You might actually find you love cooking especially when the results taste so good and are healthy.
Don’t forget to include snacks to your list of foods to make.
Snacks are an important part of your diet. They should be high in protein and essential amino acids to supply the building blocks for muscle tissue and keep you feeling full longer. If you’re building muscle tissue, you also need adequate calories, but not so many calories that you fail to burn fat. Even though real men cook, that doesn’t mean the recipes can’t be simple. (Women love this type of recipe, too!) Want a summer treat that’s ready when you are? Blend together either a cup of blueberries or strawberries or a frozen banana with 3 1/3 tablespoons of cottage cheese, 2 tsp of whey protein and ½ tsp milk. Pour in a container and freeze for at least 30 minutes. It’s loaded with protein, plus healthy carbs to provide the energy to keep you going.
Lots of times, healthy cooking requires a good recipe and lots of chopping.
Many healthy recipes are simple, yet pack the most power for the punch. It should have a source of high quality protein, like skinless baked chicken (26 grams) or 1 cup of cooked lentils 18 grams. You need carbohydrates for fuel for your muscles. Whole grain breads, fruits and vegetables are good sources. Add in some healthy fat, like an avocado or some nuts and you have a diet that’s ready to help you build muscle tissue fast, while keeping you healthier.
- Finely chop 1 ½ C cooked skinless chicken. Add ¼ C toasted chopped pecans and chopped apple and 1 Tbsp. dried cranberries. Mix in a tablespoon plain Greek yogurt and drizzle with ¼ to ½ C balsamic vinaigrette and toss. Salt and pepper to taste and chill. It makes two servings to top Romaine or spinach or serve on whole grain bread.
- Salads take on a new twist when you top them with grilled vegetables and grilled shrimp or chicken. Chop up some avocado and add some herbs like cilantro and you’ll be congratulating yourself on being a chef with a focus on good health.
- Make your breakfast filled with more than just a bowl of oatmeal. If you have leftover vegetables and some mushrooms from the grill, toss them in the pan and then crack a few eggs for a scramble that boosts your health.
- For a delicious, nutritious meal, top two cups of pasta, or spaghetti squash if you’re trying to lose weight, with 6-8 ounces of ground beef fried with broccoli, onions and mushrooms. Add a side of salad and some fruit for dessert.