When you want to build muscle, you must eat a proper diet. A complete, balanced diet will provide your body with the nutrients it needs to grow and accommodate the expansion of muscles so that you can achieve that Michelangelo-sculpted body you've always dreamed about.
A proper diet will consist of a balance of the recommended servings of each of the food groups, with an emphasis on protein-based foods. Building muscle requires a massive amount of protein, as protein is the main cornerstone for developing muscle.
Protein can be obtained from several different foods, so you don't have to eat something you don't like! It can be found in numerous vegetables, meats, fish, and also can be obtained in drinks such as milk, and other dairy products such as yogurt and cheese. There is also a product called whey protein, which comes in powder form and can be mixed into any of your favorite drinks (healthy ones though!), water, fruit smoothies, or just about anything else.
For meats, lean meats are the best way to go. Poultry such as chicken and turkey are among the best. One of my favorites is turkey pepperoni, it is much lower in fat and is overall healthier than pork pepperoni. It also is higher in protein, so it will benefit your muscle building much more.
Fish is also a great source of nutrients. Tuna is a favorite among many bodybuilders. Salmon and walleye are a couple others. Be sure, however, that you do not eat them deep-fried, as that will be detrimental to your body, and will affect your gaining of muscle mass.
Protein can also be found in many vegetables, so you do not have to eat meat constantly. I personally think that it is not healthy to eat meat constantly, and a good amount of vegetables is necessary to build muscle properly. Leafy green vegetables such as spinach, broccoli, and romaine lettuce are great for building a healthy body. Have you ever seen the show Popeye? There is some truth to his having massive muscles from eating spinach.
And, as I said earlier, there also are protein-concentrated products that can be mixed into a milkshake-like drink, or into any food. One of my favorites is chocolate-flavored. It is easy to mix and can be drunk just after or right before a work out.
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