Introducing GenoVit! Our new & improved personalized supplements are now available.

LEARN MORE

Nutrition Advice for Muscle Gain

Nutrition Advice for Muscle Gain

Easily the most misunderstood macronutrient for athletes, fats play an important role in energy output, nutrient absorption, and even injury prevention.


For an individual performing high-resistance training, some monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats are essential. In general, around 15–30% of overall energy intake should come from fat—though this may change depending on your genetic makeup. As we explain in Demystifying Fat: Should Fat Be Part of Your Diet?, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats can be found in avocados, nuts, seeds, and oils. 


Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are also of great importance to weightlifters. These fats can be easily sourced in fish and shellfish and help with blood flow and suppress hunger (a great assist if you’re trying to drop weight classes).


No matter your fitness goals, monitoring your intake of saturated and trans fats is important. High amounts of these fats increase LDL cholesterol levels, block arteries, and increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. Saturated and trans fats are found in chips, chocolate bars, baked goods, and butter. 


A common bodybuilding nutrition strategy is bulking & cutting. 


Essentially, this strategy involves two cyclical eating patterns. First, a season of bulking (eating excess calories) and then a season of cutting (eating in a calorie deficit).


In theory, during the off-season, a bodybuilder eats an excess of calories to gain overall size. By maximizing calories, they’re maximizing their energy output. At this stage, they will reach their peak performance potential but also their highest BMI. 


Then, in the months or weeks leading up to competition, the athlete will severely reduce the number of calories they’re ingesting, creating a deficit of caloric input to energy output. The intended effect is to greatly lower the BMI while still having the muscular growth of the bulking period remain.


The results of this nutritional strategy can be mixed. Primarily because while the body loves burning fat, it also loves burning muscle. So during the cutting stage, many gains are often lost.


Updated on
Photo of Kelly Van Gorden

Medically reviewed by:

Kelly Van Gorden, MS, RD, CD

Kelly Van Gorden is a registered dietitian from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in dietetics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the spring of 2011 and completed her dietetic internship and Master of Science degree from the University of Central Oklahoma in the fall of 2012. Kelly has a strong foundation in both clinical nutrition and the wellness community, and believes we can all live happier, healthier lives with the power of food. In her spare time she enjoys staying active, trying out new recipes, and keeping up to date on her favorite podcasts.

Share this:

Ready to discover a healthier you? Order your report and use the GenoPalate app to start eating for your genes.

Buy Now!

Related Posts

Sorry, there are no related posts

Search our shop