When it comes to bodybuilding recipes, if there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years, it’s be prepared. Sound like a boy scout don’t I? By being ‘prepared’, I simply mean cooking your meals well in advance, at least the day before but preferably two, or even three days in advance, if you’ve the time (and fridge space!).
Let me explain why this is so important and why it can make a big difference in your bodybuilding progress.
How Many Meals
Like most bodybuilders, you no doubt follow a high protein diet and split your daily intake over at least 6 meals per day. Breakfast is probably porridge/oats (maybe some sneaky honey!) with some fruit. Mid-morning snack (or brunch!) usually comprises of cottage cheese or peanut butter with rice cakes. Whatever you choices, the first two meals of the day aren’t usually cooked meals. This still leaves you with the need to prepare at least four cooked meals per day.
Now if you leave the preparation of your meals to just before you’re ready to eat them, you’ll quickly tire of preparing individual meals four times per day. But worse than that, this approach often falls prey to convenience with you running out of time and end up grabbing something quick.
It’s All Gone Pete Tong
Best case scenario, this quick meal will just upset the balance of macro nutrients for the day (please tell me you at least have an idea of your daily macro nutrients breakdown). Worse case scenario, you end up eating something unhealthy, highly processed and/or packed with unwanted calories.
I know from my own experience just how often this happens when I haven”t prepared my meals in advance. I start the day with good intentions and an idea of what I’ll be eating but invariable I became distracted and/or pushed for time and resorted to grabbing some thing quick, usually for the two day time meals.
This was happening once too often with me so I decided to start putting some effort into preparing my meals the night before. I normally cook the four meals as one and divide into the separate portions. I find it this far easier then attempting to prepare four different meals for the day.
Second Meal, Same As The First
So I may cook say 900g of chicken, add some flavouring and where to buy sarms uk forum divide into four equal portions along with a serving of fresh vegetables with each meal. A little boring eating the same meal four times a day but hey, that’s the life of a bodybuilder for you. Plus, preparing all your meals in one makes calculating your daily intake of protein, carbs etc, far easier. You’ll quickly find preparing your meals the night before becomes routine and you’ll immediately see many of the benefits below.
- Achieving the desired amount of daily macronutrients breakdown
- Minimize hunger pans. If your food is already prepared, you should be able to eat it when intended
- Minimize junk food. Having foo prepared means you won’t have to grab the unhealthy sandwich and crisps!
- Have more control of your daily calorie intake
- Generally feel more in control of your diet. By preparing your food, you know exactly what you’re eating beforehand. This give you a feeling of empowerment over your diet.
- Last but not least, I don’t need to emphasise the importance of proper control of what you eat for bodybuilders, get control of what your diet and your progress will explode.