|  | Diet Nutrition | Weight Control

Foods to Eat to Gain Weight for Bodybuilding

The goal for bodybuilders is to add muscle mass, and that requires healthy, nutritious food and lots of it. For bodybuilders, the trick is to eat a balanced diet that is high in proteins for muscle growth and loaded with carbohydrates to provide and replace the energy you burn during workouts.

  1. Five Meals a Day

    • You need to increase your calorie intake by 500 to 1,000 calories per day to build lean muscle weight, and that usually requires five meals a day. The goal is to eat healthy foods--not fatty, fast foods--so mass consumption is required. Strive for a balanced diet that includes eggs and cereal early in the day, followed by meals that incorporate grilled chicken and fish, fresh vegetables and plenty of bread. Your between-meals snacks should emphasize sports bars, bananas, granola, yogurt and soft pretzels.

    Lots of Liquids

    • Drink lots of fluids and opt for beverages that supply calories. Juice is your best option, since it's healthy and loaded with calories. For example, a quart of cranberry or grape juice packs 680 calories, and a quart of apple juice supplies 800 calories. You can mix it up with milk, which contains 700 calories per quart. Other options are smoothies, milkshakes with low-fat milk and protein drinks. Don't forget to drink water as well, but go for liquids with calories when possible.

    Other Foods to Consider

    • Eating healthy is usually dull, but you can spice up your diet with tastier foods that are surprisingly healthy. The list of high-calorie foods that are relatively healthy and taste good includes bean and cheese burritos, baked potatoes with chili or butter, bagels with peanut butter, and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Use these foods for snacks so you can stick to eating well-balanced meals with an emphasis on lean meat, fish, poultry, vegetables and carbohydrates. Follow these tips and get ripped.

Weight Control - Related Articles