While a large part of losing weight and gaining muscle is exercise, a larger part is your diet.
No matter how much you exercise, if your diet isn’t healthy and balanced, you won’t see significant progress.
That said, different foods provide different minerals and nutrients for different purposes. And while it’s important to keep your diet balanced, if your goal is to gain muscle, it’s important to incorporate foods that facilitate that process.
Before we begin, here’s a short disclaimer:
Nobody knows your body and how to keep it healthy more than your doctor, so before making any major changes to your diet, you should consult your doctor about the right diet for you.
With that said, let’s get right into it!
1. Eggs
Eggs are a great source of high quality protein, healthy fats, and other important nutrients like vitamin B!
Not only are they quick and easy to make, there are hundreds of ways to prepare them, making sure you’re never bored of eating eggs!
2. Chicken Breast
If you’re looking to gain muscle, the first food you probably think of is chicken breast. Chicken breasts packed with protein and vitamins that are great for building muscle and for physical activity.
Some research shows that diets including chicken may also aid in fat loss. So if you’re looking for a healthy and protein based food, chicken breast is a great option!
3. Beans
Beans are a great source of protein, fiber, and vitamins, and are easy to make. There are also a large variety of beans that can spice up any meal!
Beans are also a great source of minerals such as magnesium, iron, and phosphorus, meaning that it helps round out your diet while still providing protein!
4. Salmon
Salmon is not only a great choice for building muscle but also for your general health! Full of protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins, salmon is filling and plays an important role in your muscular health and gains!
Other fish such as tuna, tilapia, and cod are also all great substitutes that provide protein and their own assortment of nutrients and vitamins!
5. Tofu
If you’re looking for a healthy, plant-based protein source, tofu is a great choice. With a good balance of protein, fats, and carbs, tofu is not only a healthy source of protein but a well-rounded food that will fit into almost any diet!
The soy protein tofu provides is considered one of the highest-quality plant based proteins, making it a great option for vegans or vegetarians!
While these food choices are all great, we’d like to remind you that what’s most important is to have a balanced diet. And before you make any major change to your diet, consult your doctor about how it can affect your health.
If you’d like to schedule an appointment with a doctor, you can visit parkchestermedical.org or you can call us at (718) 828-6610!
