Bodybuilder’s prioritize protein in their diets because of its many benefits. Protein provides essential amino acid building blocks for the development of new muscle tissue, it can help preserve muscle mass during strict diets, and it contains branched chain amino acids that can support recovery from exercise.
The Best Protein Sources for Muscle Building
As an IFBB Pro, Sadik Hadzovic knows all about using protein to reach fitness and body composition goals. If you want to know what protein sources you should choose to help reach your fitness goals, you’re in luck. Sadik shared with us his 4 favorite protein sources that he incorporates into his daily diet.
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Eggs
What I love about eggs is they’re fast digesting, so I can eat this in the morning and in my last meal before going to bed. They’re also extremely inexpensive when it comes to getting your protein macronutrients in. So, if you’re on a budget and you’re looking for lean protein sources, eggs are a must in your daily diet.
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Red Meat
What I love about read meat, it is loaded with healthy essential fats as well as creatine. I tell all my clients, if you’re trying to be strong in the gym and if you’re trying to recover fast, red meat must be a staple in your diet.
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Chicken Breast
I emphasize chicken breast, because the chicken breast is the leanest part of the chicken it has little to no fat. Pre-contest and pre-photoshoot, I’m loading up on chicken breast on a daily basis. If you’re like me and you’re eating chicken breast you can also swap them out, for ground turkey breast, as well as a white fish. These lean protein sources are going to be a great tool when you’re trying to shed body fat.
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Protein Powder
I’m a huge advocate of consuming my protein from whole foods but protein powder is still a viable option. It’s fast absorbing and very convenient. The best time of day to consume your protein shake is immediately post-workout. My favorite protein is XTEND Pro which is loaded with branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) to help jump start your recovery process.
If you’re on a mission to build muscle and strip body fat, these are the four protein sources to take you to the next level.
Sample High Protein Bodybuilding Meal Plan
So, what would a sample day for a bodybuilder eating these 4 high protein foods look like?Meal 1:
- 3-4 whole eggs, scrambled
- 1 serving of whole grain toast
- 1 serving of fruit
Meal 2:
- 6 ounces of grilled chicken breast
- 1 cup of rice
- 1 serving of vegetables
Meal 3:
- 6 ounces of lean red meat (such as sirloin steak)
- 1 sweet potato
- 1 serving of vegetables
Meal 4:
- 25 g of protein powder
- 1 serving of fruit
- 1 serving of nut butter
Note: It’s important to remember that this is just a template of a sample day. You’ll need to consider your individual nutritional needs, food preferences, and goals when creating a meal plan. This means that the serving sizes, individual foods, and ratios of macronutrients will be varied depending on your specific goals and requirements.