Published Jan 29, 2021
If you are already fit and like the idea of going that extra mile and building muscle, you will need to plan your meals with particular care. You are what you eat: yes, it’s a cliché but it’s also very true. From a physical perspective, building muscle is an expensive process that requires a steady supply of rich and nutritious food, not just hours in the gym.
To build muscle your body needs both protein and energy – and some foods do just the opposite. Here are 7 of the best muscle-building foods:
1. Eggs
This familiar, everyday staple food is high in both protein and healthy fat to burn for energy. Eggs also contain vitamin B, which plays a crucial role in energy production, along with the amino acid leucine – an important protein building block.
2. Chicken
Chicken – in particular chicken breast – is very high in protein: a three ounce chicken breast (85 grams) provides a full 26 grams of protein. Chicken is also rich in vitamins B6 and B3 (niacin), which help release energy for those tough workouts.
3. Salmon
Salmon is another rich source of protein, providing about 17 grams per 3 ounce slice – as well as B vitamins for energy. Salmon also provides plenty of omega-3 fatty acid: a potent nutrient thought to play a role in muscle gain during exercise.
4. Tuna
A 3 ounce slice of tuna will provide 20 grams of protein, vitamins B3, B6 and B12, omega-3 – and vitamin A. The latter is crucial to growing muscle because it enables the body to synthesise protein and boosts the production of the hormone testosterone, which plays a central role in building muscle.
5. Greek yogurt
Greek yogurt is the thicker kind that has been strained to remove whey – the rich liquid which forms when cheese and yogurt is produced. Consuming dairy protein has been linked to an increase in lean muscle mass – and greek yoghurt is higher in protein than other kinds of yogurt.
6. Cottage cheese
Cottage cheese is another rich and tasty source of dairy protein: you will find around 28 grams in 1 cup. It is also a great source of the amino acid leucine.
7. Soya beans
Cooked soya beans provide around 28 grams of protein per cup and are also abundant in unsaturated fat and iron. The latter is what gives blood its red colour: it plays a vital role in the transportation of oxygen throughout the body.
What to avoid when trying to build muscle
- Alcohol: too much will build fat and slow down muscle growth.
- Deep fried foods: too much of these will encourage inflammation, hindering your muscle building efforts.
- Sugary foods: these are packed with calories, building up fat at the expense of muscle.
Written by Bev Walton, BSc Nutritional Science
I achieved a First-Class Honours degree in BSc Nutritional Science, Nutrition Sciences from the University of Reading and now have over 35 years experience in all types of cuisine, dietary plans, recipe development, health and nutrition. I have been writing for over 10 years for magazines and websites as well as ghostwriting for ebooks, Kindle and fully published books. I’m also a proud member of the Guild of Food writers.
