All the hard, tough bodybuilding training in the world won’t make a difference if you don’t give your body the tools for recovery it needs to build some muscle. Let’s examine some of the best muscle protein sources for increasing muscle size and strength for the bodybuilder.
Chicken
The protein most commonly chewed by bodybuilders, throughout the day, is usually chicken. It can be quickly prepared in a number of ways and works well with almost all carbohydrate sources. Low in fat and high in fairly quickly digestible protein, chicken has been and will continue to be the number 1 choice among bodybuilders for delivering amino acids from protein to the muscle groups of the body.
Beef
The muscle-quality protein provided by beef is excellent, but its limitation comes in terms of fat content. Some bodybuilders who spent years consuming 5 pounds of beef a day ended up with the best physiques in the world and heart disease in their 40s. Beef can be used sparingly in lean cuts to provide a very powerful source of muscle protein. Stick to 1-2 servings per day, and opt for the lean cuts of hamburger steak each time. The less fat in your serving of meat, the better!
protein bars
In recent years, the taste and quality of protein bars has increased tremendously. They used to be dry, ashy bars that required a lot of chewing to get down. Today’s flavors are of higher quality protein and come in delicious flavors like cookies and cream or peanut butter pretzel. They can be eaten anytime, quietly and in private, providing over 30 grams of protein when needed. Be careful not to let your protein bars melt if you store them in your vehicle. Also, be sure to get plenty of fiber and drink plenty of water when you eat protein bars. They can certainly stop digestion when consumed too frequently.
eggs
It is the king of bodybuilders’ breakfast foods and has been for many decades. A complete protein profile has made eggs probably the best source of muscle protein. However, preparing them and cleaning the kitchen can be a headache! When dining out, keep an eye out for restaurants that will jack up the price per egg… nothing is worse than paying $25 for a 20-egg white omelette, right?
protein powder
After a workout or a long night’s sleep, whey protein is often the best choice for a quick dose of protein that will hit your bloodstream in no time. The protein is absorbed into the bloodstream in less than 30 minutes and allows a slower digesting protein to be consumed in less than 30 minutes afterwards. Whey protein works best during the day, but casein protein should be used at night. It’s slower to digest and will allow your body to enjoy a steady stream of amino acid goodness for the next eight hours. You can’t beat that!
Other sources
Just about any bean, meat, or other food source that contains a moderate or high amount of protein can fit the bill when it comes to meeting your nutritional needs and keeping your muscle fibers fueled and growing.