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Eating for Muscle Growth
The eat big to get big myth
"You have to eat big to get big".
How many times have you heard this gym wisdom? I guess if you're 6'6" and weight 250 pounds, you have to eat big just to survive, maintaining that much mass means consuming at least 5,000 calories or more per day. But for the average sized bodybuilder, in the 175 to 200 pound range, eating big means getting fat fast.
High calories diets are a thing of the past unless you are one of the 1-2% which has a super-fast metabolism. In this situation and if you're a teenager, you can pretty much eat as much as you like. But in most cases, high excess calories are deposited quite easily as fat. Studies indicate that 65% of new tissue gains brought about by big eating consists of fat. Of the remaining 35%, approximately 15% consists of intracellular fluid and the remaining 20% is attributable to lean muscle tissue. So, that ten pounds of "mass" you added real quickly with your super-duper mass gainer is most likely only two pounds of quality muscle!
Dr. Connelly, of Met-Rx fame, has performed tests proving that adding fat also increases muscle proteolysis (break-down). Adding fat tissue radically alters hormone balances, which are responsible for controlling protein breakdown in muscle tissue. So, adding fat mass can actually slow down your muscle building efforts and your metabolism.
When trying to increase your body weight and muscle growth, we recommend taking a moderate approach where calorie consumption is concerned. Eat small meals, at least 4-6 times per day, with protein included at each one. Don't try to pack it in with the illusion that you'll grow faster. Instead focus on the intensity of your training, the specific supplements you're using for the lifting cycle you're in, and the amount of rest you are getting when you are not training. Look at the whole picture and push the super-gainer shake away.
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Disclaimer: This information presented is intended to be used for educational purposes only. The statements made have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (U.S.). These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any condition or disease. Please consult with your own physician or health care practitioner regarding any suggestions and recommendations made.
