Macronutrients for Building Lean Muscle Mass is what we will be talking about. Trying to build lean muscle mass? Be sure you are including enough of three macronutrients in your diet so your muscles can grow healthy and strong as you work to build strong, lean muscle. The macronutrients you need to have a good balance of are protein, carbohydrates and fats.
Each of these nutrients serves a vital purpose in having strong, healthy muscle tissue. A lot of discussion has taken place about them over the years. The only one that hasn’t been on a hit list to eliminate is protein. We went through and are still going through a push to eliminate or reduce carbohydrates and fats. Some types of each do need to be limited to some degree but a wholesale reduction of all of them is neither necessary nor healthy.
Protein is vital for muscle growth and repair. It is also needed in the production of hormones, enzymes and several other chemicals in the body. Strong bones and cartilage, healthy skin and blood all require protein. It can’t be stored in the body for later use so eating high protein foods regularly is necessary to keep the body supplied with it. Good protein sources include eggs, chicken, turkey, fish such as salmon and tuna, beans and beef.
Carbohydrates are used in your body to provide the energy needed to exercise. Not only does your body need them for energy but so does your brain. Reducing carbohydrates too much can result in a lack of energy and brain fog. Getting enough carbs doesn’t mean loading up on white potatoes and white bread. The best sources of carbohydrates are fruit such as bananas and pineapples, dried fruits, whole grains and root vegetables such as sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes are a better choice than white potatoes because they are more nutrient dense and the carbs in them are slower in digesting.
The body needs fats. The right kind of fats, though. Fats are necessary for hormone production as well as energy. When fats are restricted too much, you feel deprived and could binge eat to try to satisfy your craving for fats. This would be counterproductive. Limit animal fats but increase monounsaturated fats. Good sources include nuts, olive oil and fish.
Both carbohydrates and fats can be stored in the body for later use, unlike protein that has to be replenished several times a day. With a carefully planned diet that includes the right amounts of each of these macronutrients and following a good workout program, you can build lean muscle mass and lose body fat.