There are several decent options available for muscle building supplements, but the best one isnt one available at your gym or fitness market. The best one is so simple, effective and readily available that theres simply no excuse for not taking advantage of it.
Greens. Thats right, just greens. Your everyday, garden variety, tasty and healthy greens. Maybe they wont sport the fancy additives some powders do, like creatine, arginine, blutamine or beta-alanine but that doesnt make them any less effective. Spinach and kale are dynamite supplements, too, for helping you keep your bodys system perfectly balanced for muscle building.
Why do I need to have greens in my diet?
There are plenty of reasons to have greens as a regular part of your diet when youre involved in an intense training program. They provide lots of vitamins and minerals, as well as phytonutrients and in some cases, even Omega-3 fats. Besides, theyre good for you, even if youre not in training.
If your goal is to build some real muscle, you need to be following every single workout with greens, whether in a big green salad or a greens shake. Your bodys catabolic changes during a strenuous workout leaves your system highly acidic, which promotes inflammation. Greens will shift your system back to an alkaline state, maintaining a perfect environment for burning fat and building muscle, Meanwhile, the antioxidants the greens provide will combat the inflammation.
Many greens also contain plenty of vitamin K, which can help reduce calcium in arterial plaque, regulate blood clotting and inflammation and may help prevent osteoporosis and diabetes.
The phytonutrients youre getting act as anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory agents, as well as anti-oxidants, while theyre helping with the repair of damaged cell tissue.
Burning fat and building muscle is a lot easier when you make good use of Mother Natures wonder drug greens.
So whats the best way to get my greens intake?
There are four common methods to satisfy your bodys need for greens:
Have a big fresh salad fairly self-explanatory;
Cook them (that water is loaded with nutrients dont throw it out!);
Greens shakes;
Supplement powders.
Our favorite is greens shakes! These are fast and easy to make you just need some spinach or kale, some of that water you saved (if you dont have any, use organic soy milk), maybe a banana and a mango a few seconds in the blender, and voila! Toss in a teaspoon of vanilla for more flavor.
Supplement powders are great , too, and really nice if youre rushed. Add some fruit to get your favorite flavor, and youre on your way.
None of these options are time-consuming or complicated and you can vary between them for variety. But try to buy fresh vegetables at an organic market, as some of the more commercialized produce is loaded with chemicals.
Can I really make an effective greens shake myself?
Of course you can! Some soy milk or rice milk, vanilla and organic soy protein powder make a good base. Just add some spinach or kale, a banana, mango or grapes use your imagination. Theyre tasty and good for you, even if youre not on a muscle building kick. And if you are, the greens will keep you on the right track.
Try new flavors by substituting other fruits. Toss in a tablespoon of peanut butter or berries more anti-oxidants will keep the inflammation down. Just be sure to make greens an important part of your daily diet when youre working out, so your system keeps on the alkaline side of the scale. Youll be glad you did.
Author Resource:
I am known as the skinny guy savior. A former skinny guy myself, I developed the techniques that turned me from a skinny guy to a national champion fitness model. I share my training techniques, diets and inspirations on my blog, Vince DelMonte Fitness, and on sites such as AskMen.com and Ironman Magazine.