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A beginner bodybuilder would be wise to follow sound nutritional practices for long-term success. Eating right will give you ample energy that will help you last each workout session. The only path to long-term muscle and strength gain is through adequate rest and eating sufficient amounts of calories daily. Not eating the right foods at the right time will just decrease your potential growth and render all your hard work useless.

Catherine Ratzin Jackson, author of the book “Nutrition for the Recreational Athlete”, explains that eating habits of bodybuilders aren’t usually based on correct nutritional principles. She adds that bodybuilders are accustomed to get advice from magazine tips and nutrition store ‘experts’. These sources are sometimes biased and do not provide detailed information on nutrition; topics such as calorie intake, protein requirements and foods for weight loss are often discussed hastily. Below are concise nutritional guidelines essential for bodybuilding success:

1. Do not rush your weight loss. Rushing your weight loss will make it more difficult for you to achieve your desired strength and muscle gain as lean body tissues also disintegrate during rapid weight loss. This type of weight loss is most likely the result of a low-calorie diet, which often leads to electrolyte imbalances. A low-fat and high-protein diet can be detrimental to your health and in your ability to be in your ideal body weight.

2. Calculate your protein requirement and track your protein intake daily. Our bodies use protein for building and repairing muscles. You won’t see any results if you consume too little or overload your body with protein. The recommended daily allowance (RDA) gives us a measure of how much protein we need to take. RDA is different for every individual but it is usually set at 0.8 g/kg for physical inactive individuals and 1.0-1.5 g/kg for athletes. Check the nutrition facts of every food product you consume to keep track of your protein consumption.

3. Quality counts. Eating quality food - wholesome, unprocessed food - as often as possible is an important part of your bodybuilding program. Eating nutrient-rich foods from plant and animal sources will help you achieve your goals faster; avoid counting solely on meal replacements and supplements that leave you feeling hungry and are not metabolized as efficiently as real food.

4. Use supplements sparingly. Supplements are now in the mainstream of sports. Taking supplements can help in most cases but be careful as some supplements have negative side effects. In addition, supplements are really not that essential. What’s essential are a proper nutrition and efficient training programs.

5. Pay attention to the foods you eat before and after your workout session. These are your primetime muscle building periods, so it’s essential to keep track of what and when you’re eating. Maintain a food log if necessary so you can become more conscientious about your food choices and get the timing right.