Bodybuilding Cooking Tips to Build Hugeness
If you’re interested in bulking up, then you may be aware of the fact that you need to change your approach to both diet and exercise. Although the fitness portion won’t be easy, you probably know that you need to start a program of weight training that involves scheduled increases in order to gain muscle mass. On the diet front, however, you may not have a very good idea of how to go about bulking without gaining fat in the process.
If you’re cooking for someone whose goal is to bulk, all you need to worry about is making that healthy food taste great. While I don’t have to time type out all of my recipes today, here are at least some tips to get started.
You’ll almost certainly have to increase caloric intake, but it doesn’t take a genius to know that adding high-calorie foods isn’t enough; they have to be the right foods. Donuts and soda aren’t going to cut it, even if they can help you to more easily reach your caloric goals. For this reason, you need to create a fitness-friendly diet that delivers the nutritious balance required to help you create the bodybuilding physique you crave. Here are just a few tips for your kitchen that will have you cooking like a pro and help you to reach your goals in no time.
- Get the right equipment.
When you engage in weight management of any kind, whether you’re interested in losing or gaining pounds, the amount and type of food you ingest is of the utmost importance. But before you hit the grocery store, make sure you have the proper tools in place to portion out your meals appropriately. Such items could include a food scale, measuring cups and spoons, and storage (Tupperware, Ziploc bags, etc.). You might also want to invest in a blender (for shakes and smoothies), a veggie steamer, and other equipment that will help you to create the healthy foods you need to bulk up the right way.
My staple equipment are a protein shaker, Tupperware containers, and Ziploc baggies. Given a microwave and access to water, these three devices can build you just about anything.
- Compile the staples of a healthy diet.
The average dieter knows that lean meats, whole grains, low-fat dairy, and plenty of fruits and vegetables are essential for proper health and nutrition. But bodybuilding requires a specialized diet composed primarily of protein and carbohydrates, the foods that provide our bodies with its primary sources of fuel. So you might want to stock up on items that fit the bill while avoiding the fats, sugars, and stimulants (caffeine) that won’t really help your cause. You should also look into supplements since you may have trouble getting all the nutrients you need with your current diet.
- Buy in bulk.
When you’re bulking you’ll have to bump up your caloric intake in a very specific way. For this reason, you should buy the items you’re likely to use the most in bulk so that you always have them on hand. Since you’ll be eating much more food than normal, it pays to prepare so you don’t find yourself hungry and turning to less-than-ideal options.
- Prep and cook for multiple meals.
A lot of work goes into preparing and cooking healthy meals, and since you’ll be eating more, you can save some time and effort by cooking huge portions and putting leftovers in the fridge or freezer for quick meals later on.
- Pack snacks.
You could be eating every 3-4 hours when you’re trying to bulk up, and since you probably have a lifestyle that includes a job and other activities, you might not have time to stop and eat as much as you need to. So if you’ve carved out some time for meal prep anyway, use it to pack easy-to-grab snacks, as well, in individual serving sizes. Trail mix, grilled chicken, sliced fruits and veggies, and cheese and crackers are all good options, although you should also pack lunch-size meals in stackable Tupperware that you can take to work.
When you have free time on the weekends you can take the time to prepare a nice veggie omelet, grill some raclettes, or make other special meals. In the meantime, easy options are your best bet for staying on track with your bodybuilding diet.
Tags: bodybuilders, bodybuilding, build muscle, cooking, eating, fitness, food, muscle building
