Basic Bodybuilding Nutrition Part2

6) What's "good"” fat?

Olive oil, avocados and walnuts are examples of good fat. They contain monounsaturated fatty acids, which not only promote good heart health but also support the immune system -- and a strong immune system helps muscle grow. The good fat in salmon and sardines, known as omega-3 fatty acids, offers major health benefits such as heart and immune-system benefits, improves muscle growth and helps offset muscle breakdown associated with training.

While saturated fat (found in whole-milk dairy products, beef and tropical oils) is sometimes deemed not so beneficial, it plays its own unique role. Saturated fats help the body manufacture testosterone, the muscle-building hormone, but it's still a good idea to keep your consumption fairly low. 

7) How long should I wait after eating to work out? What's the best thing to eat beforehand?

Eating before you work out used to be considered a no-no, but today, it's a must for muscle growth. It helps prevent muscles from being torn down for fuel during training and kick-starts the muscle-growth processes sooner. You should consume both a whole-food meal and a liquid meal before your workout. The whole-food meal you eat about two hours beforehand should provide a 1:2 ratio of protein to carbohydrate, with about 40 grams of protein coming from beef, chicken or fish and 80 grams of slow-digesting carbs like sweet potatoes, brown rice or oatmeal. About 15-–30 minutes before your workout, have a shake containing 20 grams of whey protein and 40 grams of carbs from fruit juice or carb powder.

8) How soon after my workout should I eat? What's the best thing to eat after I train?

You might not consider it "eating,"” but for immediate muscle repair, drink 20-–40 grams of whey protein along with 40-100 grams of carbohydrates as soon as you finish training. The carbs can be fast-digesting foods like white bread or a baked potato or derived from a powdered drink mix such as Vitargo or a maltodextrin powder. Fast-digesting proteins and carbs like these can bring muscle breakdown (the result of training) to a dead stop. In turn, the body quickly reverses gears and begins to grow. Because it halts muscle breakdown, this may be your most important meal of the day. An hour after your mini-shake, eat a regular meal comprised of carbohydrates and protein.

9) How much water should I drink? Can I still have my coffee?

Proper hydration is fundamental to facilitating the muscle-repair/growth process. To take full advantage, drink 8 pints of water a day. However, let your thirst guide you as well. If you're thirsty, drink -- and drink a little more than necessary to quench your thirst. For example, if you're thirsty at 10 a.m. and would normally drink a cup of water or diet soda, have 2 cups. You can also measure your needs by monitoring how water flows through your body. Try drinking 3 cups of water at a single sitting. If you don't have to use the bathroom within a couple of hours, you're probably a little underhydrated and need to drink more.

Yes, you can have your coffee. While coffee is considered a mild diuretic, the amount of fluid retained by drinking a tall cup of java outweighs that lost in urine. In addition, coffee's a source of antioxidants, compounds that help support the immune system and enhance muscle recovery.

10) Can I have a cheat day and still see results?

Your ability to go off your diet and still see results depends on your bodytype. You can get away with a cheat day once a week if you have a fast metabolism, but if it's slower, cheating once a weak will set you back -- you'll gain bodyfat. If you gain fat rather easily, limit yourself to a cheat meal once a week. Or you can schedule a cheat day once every 2-3 weeks. Be sure to have a cheat meal replace a meal. That is, eat whatever you want, but not so much that you're so stuffed you can't get in your other five healthy meals for the day.