Are you a bodybuilder tired of eating the standard chicken and broccoli? Here are some tasty meal ideas to try!
Contrary to popular opinion, not all meal ideas for bodybuilders are boring. You might have heard that eating clean is one of the most challenging parts of the whole undertaking, which is true. However, you should be fine if you know how to spruce up your food.
This article discusses some simple, fun, and tasty meal ideas that can help you as a bodybuilder.
7 Innovative and Exciting Bodybuilders’ Meal Ideas
1. Omelette Made with Egg Whites, Cherry Tomatoes, Spinach, Mushroom, and Whole Wheat Toast
Protein is vital when building mass, and egg whites contain lots of protein. Therefore, making an omelette with egg whites, tomatoes, and spinach is a great breakfast idea. Not only will it be quite filling but also tasty. To pair the omelette, you can sauté some mushrooms in olive oil and top the plate with whole wheat toast to supply healthy carbs. If you feel the toast is too plain, use mashed avocado as a spread.
The best part about this meal idea is that it’s delicious and can be spruced up to your liking. Also, you will have easily met your macro needs without a hassle.
2. Steamed Sweet Potato, Black beans, and Salsa
Legumes such as black beans are a great source of protein and fibre. And you can cook beans to suit your palette in several ways without tampering with the nutritional value and going against your dietary needs. Add steamed sweet potatoes to the beans. Not only do they contain sugar with a low glycemic index but also, they are packed with nutrients that contribute to bone health.
Finally, add some salsa made with lettuce, tomatoes, and onions because vegetables are always important.
Considering how filling the above meal is, it’s in your best interest to eat it several hours before your workout or any time after. For the best results, track your portions so you don’t end up over or under-eating.
3. Grilled Sirloin Steak Over Brown Rice and Roasted Vegetables
Bodybuilding exercises deplete one’s glycogen reserves, so eating foods to replenish energy is significant. One way to do this is by adding brown rice to your diet. It has more fibre content and carbohydrates than white rice. Thus, you will get more nutritional value from eating a smaller amount.
Consider pairing the rice with sirloin steak because it’s relatively easy to prepare, tastes great even when stored as meal prep, and is packed with vital protein. Top your meal with your favorite roasted vegetables to ensure you eat all the food groups. You can roast the veggies with olive oil for added nutrition.
4. Protein Smoothie and Oats
If you like plain oats but are always wondering how you can make it a meal, one way is to pair the oats with a protein smoothie. You attain your calorific goals while also enjoying your meal. A decent amount of plain oats will provide adequate proteins, carbs, fat and fibre nutrients.
As for the smoothie, you should use greek or plain yoghurt, pop in some fruits (preferably frozen fruits) such as banana and berries, add some milk or milk alternative like oat milk or soy milk, some high-quality whey powder, a decent scoop of almond/peanut butter and some greens if you, please. Not only is this smoothie easy to make, but it is also packed with lots of ingredients that will fuel you adequately for your bodybuilding workout.
5. Burrito Bowls
The best part about burrito bowls is that you don’t have to prepare them yourself because several restaurants offer just as nutritious deals. Secondly, you can make them with the remaining ingredients after the meal prep to avoid wastage. Lastly, there are hundreds of ways to spruce up your burrito bowl to your liking, which is more than you can say for most nutritious meals.
To make a nutritious burrito bowl that is perfect for a bodybuilder, you will need the following ingredients:
Protein: Some protein options include pinto/black beans, chicken, turkey, salmon, tofu, steak bites, and steak. Feel free to choose one plant-based and one animal-based source for maximum flavor.
Carbohydrates: You can choose white or black rice, pasta, or roti. Alternatively, Combine your bowl with some tortilla wraps.
Vegetables: Depending on the flavor pallet you are going for, some vegetable ideas include guacamole, salsa, lettuce, spinach, bell peppers, etc.
Finally, you can include a sauce that is low in calories and has some healthy fat to ensure you have all the necessary food groups.
6. Stir Fry Shrimp and Couscous
Shrimp is packed with protein and amino acids that are great for muscle growth and have zero fats and calories. You can cook your shrimp with olive oil and stir-fry veggies such as bell peppers and spinach to ensure you get as many nutrients as possible. Finally, consider going with couscous or gluten-free pasta for your carbohydrate.
7. Pineapple Fried Rice and Salmon
Salmon is one of the best seafood proteins a bodybuilder could eat, thanks to its dense nutritional value. You can prepare it to suit your palette in several ways. An easy way to do it is to pan-fry it with olive oil and soy source.
Salmon will still be delicious regardless of the carbohydrate you choose. But if you are not looking to add any veggies to the meal, consider pineapple fried rice. The pineapple will be the star, making the dish savory and sweaty. As for the rice, consider adding some egg white to increase your protein intake, and you will have a balanced meal.
Conclusion
A protein-rich diet is another essential component of bodybuilding besides strenuous exercise. Many of the things other people usually eat aren’t considered nutritious enough for bodybuilders. They frequently have limited options, so they often eat the same foods. Yet, you can use your creativity to come up with some exciting and tasty meals.
