The busy lives most men lead often make it difficult for them to stay in shape. But building muscles and getting your ideal body depend largely on your consumption of good protein. It’s been said that you are what you eat and it’s true. Not putting any thought into what you eat can hinder your fitness plan.
Learn how to cook
If all you know about cooking is frying or throwing something in the microwave then chances are your meals are high in sodium and oil. Aside from saving money, knowing how to cook also mean knowing how to choose healthy ingredients for your meal. Enrolling in a cooking class might be a good way of learning how to cook and eat healthier, as well as meeting some kindred souls in the process.
Stock up on Good Protein
For optimum protein intake, stock up on the good stuff like eggs, white meats like chicken or fish, seafood (clams, shrimps, oysters), cheese, couscous and other protein rich grains like quinoa and bulgur. Don’t forget to also stock up on spinach and other vegetables that would provide you with a decent amount of both protein and folic acid.
To make your life easier, try buying white meat in bulk-bags as there are lots of recipes you can try. One easy way to get a good and healthy meal is to season white meat to taste and bake it at 425 degrees until cooked. Pair it with quinoa and boiled spinach and presto, you have yourself a delicious meal that’s rich in protein.
Sneak in More Protein
Protein is also essential for recovering from any type of training or to give you a needed energy boost when there’s a lack of carbohydrates in your system.
If you’re clueless on how to get more protein in your diet, try having an egg-white omelet for breakfast. You get all the benefits of protein without the high cholesterol from the egg yolk. You can even tweak it a bit and add chicken to a 4 egg white, 1 yolk omelet for a complete, nutritious breakfast. It will even give you enough energy for your work-out.
Whey protein drinks are also a great way of sneaking some protein in, but pay attention to how your body reacts to it as some have experienced gastrointestinal problems upon intake. Or make your own high protein drink by blending 2 cups of natural soy milk, 3 egg whites, 1 fruit of your choice (ex. banana), 1/3 cup rolled oats, 2 tbsp flax power (or 2 tsp flax seed oil) and 1 tbsp natural peanut butter.
Peanut butter sandwiches, oatmeal and cottage cheese spread on a slice of pizza or toast are also great ways of bumping up your protein intake.
It goes without saying that choosing what to eat and what to avoid are crucial to any healthy diet. Of course, this is easier said than done, especially when you’re always busy or are in the habit of eating out. To stack the odds in your favor, check with a nutritionist or your personal trainer so you can come up with the best way to achieve your desired fitness level.
