Saturday, October 17, 2009

Best Foods For Building Muscle

By Mariana Coshner

Selecting the finest high-protein foods is the most vital facet of your muscle-building program. High protein foods play a crucial role in building muscle, but choosing nutritious, high protein foods also contribute to better overall health. You should look for high protein foods that are low in saturated fat, and that are considered to be "complete proteins.? Complete proteins are full of amino acids that essential build muscle.

Eggs just may be the best natural source of protein available. There are seemingly infinite ways to prepare eggs and they are delicious. Don?t forget to eat the yolk. Egg yolks contain protein and vitamin B12, which helps break down fat and helps with muscle contraction. Not only are eggs an excellent source of complete protein, they also contain riboflavin, folate, vitamins B6, B12, D, and E, as well as iodine, phosphorus, zinc, selenium, calcium and iron.

Fish is an easily digestible, high protein food that is essential to building muscle. Fish is very high in quality protein, contains only trace amounts of carbohydrates, and very little saturated fat. Choose cold water fish varieties like salmon, trout, or sardines. These fish are also high in omega 3 fatty acids, iron, zinc and calcium. Salmon is a plentiful source of omega-3 fatty acids, which aid in the reduction of muscle-protein breakdown following strenuous exercise and improves insulin resistance.

Don?t forget to add beans to your shopping list next time you go grocery shopping. Kidney beans are low in fat, but high in fiber, folate, manganese, iron, phosphorus, copper and potassium. One single cup serving of kidney beans has an amazing 14 grams of protein and 11 grams of fiber.

An excellent source of iron and zinc, two essential minerals for muscle building and cancer-fighting selenium, beef is also the best source of creatine, which supplies your body with the energy it needs to create muscle. Extra-lean cuts of like round, loin, or flat iron varieties are among the best choices.

Unsaturated fats facilitate nerve transmission, assist the body in absorbing vitamins and minerals, help with proper hormone function and supports cell growth. Select plant whole food-based sources of unsaturated fats such as fresh avocado, olives, flaxseed, almonds and peanuts.

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