The weightlifting's going great. You have a challenging, but not completely sadistic trainer.
You've carved time out of your schedule hit the gym. (You even remember to run your workout clothes through the wash…hopefully!)
You'll grow huge, buff, and polished in no time… unless you eat junk.
Everyone's got to eat. And if your goal is to build lean muscle without the fat, YOU have to eat wiser than the rest.
Get sloppy and you'll be fighting on both sides in the battle of the bulge.
Restrict your diet too much and yeah, you'll lose fat; but, you'll also probably lose interest and head right for some greasy fries and a chocolate shake.
Let's look at what you can get at your friendly neighborhood supermarket.
Frankly, there are a few aisles no self-respecting bodybuilder will be seen in. (And I don't mean the adult diaper aisle.)
The bad news? Cross off your list the following aisles: sodas, chips, cookies, candy, pasta, and kiddie cereals.
The good news? Well, you can also cross off the catfood and dogfood aisle. Protein is great, but you don't have to get crazy.
What's left? Lean proteins, including fish, turkey, and chicken. Eggs are a great source of whole protein, as is skim milk and low-fat cottage cheese.
Tofu – the mystery "meat" of champions is another great option, especially for vegetarian bodybuilders.
These are all found around the perimeter of the store, which is great because you'll get some walking in, too.
Now, head down the organic or health food aisle.
If you have a great store, you'll find some products here that are mainstays of the ultimate bodybuilding diet: whey protein and soy protein products, nuts, whole grain cereals, and soy beans.
