Bodybuilding - Creating a Bodybuilding Diet Articles | Bodybuilding

By: Shannon Clark

For those of you into bodybuilding and trying to build muscle, you likely already know how expensive it can get. Trying to pack on more muscle to your frame when you are already 150-180 pounds can call for calorie intakes in the range of 3500-4500 or upwards, daily.

For you, this translates to a lot food. Unless you happen to be lucky enough and living at home where you get food paid for you, footing this bill can definitely put a dent in your wallet.

Not all foods are created equally though as far as cost is concerned.
Here are some food options that will both help with your quest to build muscle and help keep your wallet padded as well.

Canned Tuna

Yes, the classic bodybuilding food that many have a love-hate relationship with. It's cheap, it's high in protein, but for most people, it isn't exactly their first choice when it comes to taste.

If you get creative though, you can definitely spice up canned tuna and make it a good part of your budget bodybuilding diet.

Considering a can typically costs 0.50 to a dollar, you're hard pressed to find a cheaper source of high quality protein.

Peanut Butter

Both high in calories and healthy fat, peanut butter is dirt cheap. At $3-4 dollars per 1 kg tub, this is one muscle building food that's a must. You can smear it on your toast or bagel, add it to your shakes, or use it in combination with soy sauce to make a great Thai sauce to put over your pasta and chicken
stir-fry.

Bagels

As far as carbs are concerned, it doesn't get much easier than this. Bagels are relatively cost effective when purchased in bulk and require no cooking at all. Grab three or four before you head out the door in the morning to eat whenever you get a chance throughout the day.

Doing that alone could make a huge difference in how much weight you are able to gain.

Eggs

When trying to build muscle, forget all that nonsense about chucking egg yolks. Eat the whole egg as this will supply more calories, more nutrients, and the cholesterol that is found in the egg will actually help to boost your testosterone levels, helping you build more muscle.

When consuming the whole egg, a carton will last you much longer than if you're just getting a measly 15 calories from the white. You'll have plenty of time to eat whites should you choose to move into a diet phase later on to shed any fat you did gain while building muscle.

Bananas

For your fruit selection, opt for bananas. Not only are these usually the cheapest choice, but they are one of the highest calorie containing fruits, not to mention provide your muscles will more carbohydrates they can then use to fuel your workouts.

Blend them up with your shakes, freeze them and eat them as dessert, or spread peanut butter as mentioned above over one for a quick snack anytime.

So, if you're looking to reduce the costs of your bodybuilding diet, make sure these are there. If they aren't, you might find that your metabolism burns a whole right through your wallet.