In addition to lifting weights, eating the right food is vital for gaining strength.
If you're looking to gain strength, you probably wish that simply consuming a single can of spinach, like Popeye, is enough for a sudden increase in muscle...but in reality that is far from the case. Along with getting plenty of exercise, it's vital to eat a balanced diet that contains a wide variety of foods with protein, vitamins and minerals. Add this to my Recipe Box.
Eggs
Eggs are high in protein and are a very effective type of food to build muscles. The best parts of the eggs for gaining strength are the whites, as they are pure protein. While the yolk also has an element of protein, it also contains fat and cholesterol. If you're going to eat a lot of eggs, it's better to mainly eat the whites, though eating the odd yolk is fine.
Fish
All types of fish are an excellent source of food to gain strength. Not only do they contain high amounts of protein, but there's very little in the way of carbohydrates and fatty acids. All fish has lots of protein, but cold water species like salmon, tuna, trout and sardines are the best for strength as they also have a high omega 3 content, a staple of any bodybuilder's diet.
Lean Red Meat
Lean red meat, such as beef, venison and buffalo, contains an extremely high amount of protein and is synonymous with strength and muscle. However, it does contain a larger quantity of cholesterol than other bodybuilding foods, so it should be consumed in moderation as part of a healthy and balanced diet.
Vegetables
A good mix of vegetables is vital to a balanced diet, but they're also very beneficial when it comes to gaining strength. Dark green vegetables such as broccoli and spinach are high in protein, though you should also eat plenty of other types to get a full range of calcium, folic acid, vitamins and minerals, as protein by itself isn't sufficient to become stronger.
Chicken and Turkey
Both chicken and turkey are low in fat but high in good quality protein. White meat is generally popular and is as good of an option as anything else. Chicken and turkey contain an excellent amount of protein and are also rich in B vitamins, selenium and phosphorus...and they're usually less expensive than red meat or fish.
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