Fat Loss 4 Idiots Secret

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Should you build muscle with whole foods or liquid meals?

By Jon Cardozo

If you've recently started a weightlifting program and are trying to increase your calories in order to build muscle, you may be wondering about liquid meals. These meals, better known as protein powders, are helpful supplements when trying to increase your calories. But are they really necessary?

You definitely do not want to rely on the supplements completely. I knew a guy once who was drinking readymade protein shakes all day long and ended up getting sick. It may have been a coincidence, but you don't want to end up throwing up all day like he did!

Am I saying you should never use protein powders? No, of course not. There will be times when it is difficult to reach your calorie target for the day, and isn't always convenient to prepare an extra meal. However, these shakes do not represent an adequate replacement for a solid and healthy meal plan.

Your body needs to be in tiptop shape, and you need to treat it like a high performance car by giving it the best fuel possible to remain in an anabolic state. Besides, drinking shakes all day without enough variety of nutrients (and often with lots of sugar) is not good for overall health regardless of its effect on muscle.

Another reason why you don't want to depend completely on these liquid meals is because you're going to get tired of eating the same thing over and over again. The taste is usually a bigger motivation than health for most people, and these protein shakes are going to get boring after a while!

Do yourself a favor and get most of your calories (at least 60%) from whole foods.

The truth is that most people expect these weightlifting products to make up for an inadequate diet or a lousy training regimen. It may not be as exciting as glamorous, but focusing on the basics is more important than looking for a quick fix such as muscle building supplements.

Even protein powders, which are relatively helpful supplements, are not absolutely necessary. While they're helpful when it's difficult to consume adequate calories or protein, a bunch of powder with artificial ingredients thrown in is not a substitute for a solid, healthy meal plan. - 17274

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