8 Muscle-Building Foods

While workouts are an integral part of your muscle-building plan, adding the right foods is just as important. Plain chicken breast works well to build muscle, but after a while it gets boring and bland.  Pack on quality, lean muscle mass by adding these 8 muscle-building foods to your diet now.

1. Flank Steak

This cut of steak is leaner than most and packed with protein and vitamins.  It also contains naturally occurring creatine which makes it a perfect muscle building food.

2. Sweet Potato

A lot of people use a mass building diet as an excuse to eat whatever they want.  Yes, you will need to up your carb intake when trying to build muscle, but you still need to choose the right carb sources.  Sweet potatoes are a great muscle building food because they contain slow digesting, low glycemic carbs that will release slowly into your bloodstream, so you avoid a blood sugar spike (which can cause intense cravings).

3. Pizza

I know what you’re thinking, this one looks out of place and contradictory, but let me explain.  It’s all about timing for cheat foods like pizza.  When eaten at the right times, it can actually help you pack on muscle.  Limit pizza and other cheats to once per week and you will reap the benefits.  Click here to see my full article on cheat meals.

4. Almonds

Almonds are known for having healthy, monounsaturated fats, but they are also high in protein and super convenient.  Carry around a bag of raw almonds to curb cravings throughout the day.

5. Greek Yogurt

I’m not talking about the kind mixed with an artificial sugary fruit corner to mix in.  Go for plain greek yogurt and mix in your own toppings like fresh blueberries, strawberries or bananas, or even a small amount of honey.  The combo of protein and natural carbs will give you the extra calories to pack on muscle.

6. Chocolate Milk

Chocolate milk is the ultimate post-workout recovery drink.  It has almost perfect proportions of protein, carbs and fat to supply your muscles with the nutrients they need to grow.

7. Quinoa

Quinoa is a grain that is loaded with fiber and protein.  It works well on salads, or as a side dish with lean meat and a vegetable.

8. Eggs

This breakfast staple is underrated as a muscle building food.  Egg are inexpensive, easy to prepare, and are full of protein and vitamins all while having a limited amount of carbs.  These are a must have if you are looking to build muscle.