BEST Foods for Building Muscle:
Vitamin A-rich foods promote protein synthesis, essential for the growth and repair of muscle tissue.
- asparagus
- eggs
- kale
(see full list here)
Vitamin C-rich foods help build collagen protein for muscle strength and help speed up recovery time after a workout.
- avocado
- kiwi
- orange
(see full list here)
Iron-rich foods help produce red blood cells which deliver oxygen to muscles for growth and repair.
- dates
- sesame seeds
- spinach
(see full list here)
Calcium & Magnesium-rich foods work together to support and strengthen muscles,
calcium helps them contract and magnesium helps them relax.
- almonds
- hemp seeds
- sesame seeds
(see full lists here)
Vitamin B-rich foods support muscle strength, growth and repair, and athletic performance.
- chicken
- dates
- quinoa
(see full list here)
Vitamin E & Selenium-rich foods work together to lower free-radical damage from weight training after a hard work out.
- brown rice
- coconut
- sunflower seeds
(see full list here)
Other HELPFUL Foods:
- foods rich in vitamin D
- foods rich in omega-3 fats
- foods rich in choline
- foods rich in zinc
- branched-chain amino acids (BCAA)
- high-protein foods
- low-glycemic foods
- collagen protein
- vegetable/bone broths
- beets
WORST Foods for Building Muscle:
- refined sugar & high fructose corn syrup
- conventional dairy products
- processed & refined grains
- fried foods & trans fats
- refined vegetable & seed oils
- processed, packaged, and fast foods
- artificial sweeteners & aspartame
- gluten-containing foods
- GMO-containing foods
- high-glycemic foods
- excessive alcohol
Muscle Madness Smoothie
Food as Medicine
The Muscle Madness Smoothie includes the whole food ingredients listed below. You can find the complete recipe in "The Mix-and-Match Smoothie Guide" here.
Click on any ingredient to see the diverse nutrients and health benefits each one has to offer.