If you want bigger, stronger muscles, lifting weights is a good place to start—but your diet makes a huge impact on your gains, too. That's where protein comes in: the essential macronutrient helps repair the tiny tears strength training creates in your muscles, helpingthem grow faster.
But while loading up on eggs at breakfast and chowing down on hunks of chicken at lunch and dinner can definitely help, spacing out your protein is equally important. That's where snacking comes in.
“Since our body canonly use about 25 to 30 grams of protein at a time, dosing it throughout the day into several meals and snacks paired with fibre-containing carbs and healthy fats is your best bet towards optimally utilising nutrients,” says certified exercise physiologist Jim White, R.D., owner of Jim White Fitness and Nutrition Studios in Virginia Beach.
Snacking also helps you feel fuller for longer, explains Marie Spano, M.S., R.D., C.S.C.S., sports nutritionist for the Atlanta Hawks. This will prevent you from overindulging during your bigger meals, she adds. That doesn’t necessarily mean you can snack on whatever you want, whenever you want. Aim for 200 to 300 calories and 10 to 20 grams of protein per snack.
Both Spano and White agree that two to three snacks a day hits the sweet spot without overdoing it. “Try a snack between breakfast and lunch, and between lunch and dinner,” Spano suggests.
So what the heck should you munch on? There are plenty of options that don't includeprotein bars(even though we love them). Here are seven smart snacks that help you build muscle. Say hello to the gainz.
THE ULTIMATE TRIO
Pack together 30 grams raw almonds (roughly 22 almonds), one hard-boiled egg, and one small apple for when you're on the go, suggests White. In addition to your protein fix, this combo includes a good dose of fillingfibre, thanks to the apple, and healthy fats, courtesy of the almonds.
EGGS IN A MUG
Simplify your egg game, suggests Spano. Spray a mug with cooking spray, add 2 eggs, a dash of salt and pepper, 1/4 cup chopped bell peppers and 1 Tbsp light shredded cheese. Scramble mix with a fork. Microwave for 30 seconds. Stir. Microwave for another 60 seconds.
LOADED TOAST
White's take on toast is anything but bland. Top sliced whole wheat toast with 1/4 of an avocado (sliced or mashed) and 85g oz low-sodiumdeli meat, like turkey, or approximately 2 slices.
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PROTEIN SHAKE
White's protein shake recipe is about as easy as it gets. Drink it as is, or add in your favourite flavours with extra fruit, cocoa powder, or peanut butter. You can also use one of these 20 healthy,protein-packed smoothiesas inspiration when you want to mix things up.
Blend this:
225ml cow's milk*
1 scoop whey protein powder
1/2 small banana, frozen
*You can use a sugar-free dairy alternative if necessary, but keep in that most nut milks typically contain less protein.Soy milk is a good, higher-protein dairy-free option.
YOGURT PARFAIT
A great option for that snack between breakfast and lunch is a yogurt parfait. White advises plain yogurt, but if that's too tart, look for a flavoured yogurt with less than 12 grams of sugar. Don't forget that the addition of fiber-packed berries might help sweeten it up, too.
Top 1 cup of Greek or Icelandic yogurt with 1/2 cup berries and 1 Tbsp of ground flaxseed or chia seeds.
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COTTAGE CHEESE + FRUIT
"If you haven’t loved cottage cheese in the past, buy a whipped version," says Spano.
Top 1 cup cottage cheese with 1/4 cup freshnutrient-packed pineappleor pineapple canned in its own juice.
CUCUMBER SALAD
Spano's simple salad is just what you need to get over that mid-afternoon slump. Mix 1 1/2 cup cucumber salad (chopped cucumbers and tomatoes), 3 slices natural turkey, and a drizzle of olive oil.
