Bodybuilding food alternatives: Twelve surprising muscle-building foods
Stick with the basics of nutrition; eat lots of protein and complex carbohydrates to complement the growth and to build mass.
Here are a few muscle-building foods you might like to add to your diet:
Ostrich - in terms of protein, it is on par with chicken and is low in fat. It’s nutrition profile is similar to red meat, but cooks faster and has more creatine, iron and vitamin B. Eight ounces of ostrich top loin has about 50g of protein and a mere 7g of fat.
Beef liver - contains creatine, carnitine, vitamin B and iron. Around eight ounces of beef liver contains 308 calories, 48g of protein, 8g of fat and 9g of carbs.
Papaya - provides lots of potassium needed to manufacture muscle glycogen and to help muscle contraction. Contains special enzyme to aid digestion of protein foods, leading to greater protein absorption, retention and muscle growth.
White bread - digests quickly. Eat before and after a workout to offset muscle breakdown, create higher insulin levels and greater testosterone levels to build mass.
Olives - provides good fat: monounsaturated fats. This indirectly supports testosterone levels and fat burning. A handful of olives everyday will keep cholesterol levels down.
Honey - a highly efficient source of carbohydrates for the restoration of muscle glycogen, it digests quickly. Put two tablespoons in a workout shake or on toasted white bread.
Cornstarch - slows carb breakdowns which helps ward off hunger. Coat chicken breasts with it, then cook in a skillet misted cooking spray.
Molasses - a good source of complex carbs and dense in several minerals.
Onions - loaded with quercetin which supports the burning of bodyfat. Is a good choice for a postworkout snack.
Asparagus - a proven diuretic, it allows the body to lose subcutaneous water. It is rich in glutathione which helps produce prostaglandins, which, influences growth.
Fenugreek and turmeric - they help stabilize blood sugar levels.
