One of the many benefits of the bodybuilding lifestyle is the fact that you develop a tremendous knowledge of nutrition. From bulking, to cutting, to general maintenance, you learn how your body responds to certain foods and then you take that knowledge and make the necessary nutritional adjustments to address your particular goals.

I’ve experimented with all types of food over the years, and as I get older, I’ve come to realize that there are certain foods that I absolutely cannot live without. Aside from the obvious health benefits, these particular foods have a profound impact on my physical and mental performance. Today, I would like to share this list of foods with you…

PROTEIN:

– Salmon… grilled or baked, easy to prepare, tons of protein, tons of healthy fat and digests very easy.

– Chicken… grilled breasts or thighs boiled in soup, easy to prepare, tons of flavor and protein, great to eat cold, convenient.

– Turkey… herb-crusted, baked turkey breast, easy to prepare, tons of flavor and protein, great to slice and eat cold, convenient.

– Eggs… typically in an omelette, endless health benefits, easily digestible.

FAT:

– Avocado… endless health benefits. I eat an entire avocado every night with my salad.

– Olive Oil… endless health benefits and varieties. Used in all cooking and salads.

– Raw Walnuts & Raw Almonds… eaten throughout the day as a snack.

STARCHY CARBOHYDRATES:

– Oatmeal… convenient source of clean, sustained energy.

– Brown Rice… much more powerful source of sustained, clean energy.

FIBROUS CARBOHYDRATES:

– Cruciferous vegetables… (Cauliflower, Radishes, Broccoli, Cabbage, Arugula, Kale, Kholrabi). These foods contain substances that help decrease estrogen levels in the body.

– Mushrooms… enormous health benefits and a wide variety to choose from.

– Asparagus… natural and safe diuretic to eliminate subcutaneous water.

FRUITS:

– All citrus… I prefer Grapefruits for their insulin resistance capability. Oranges for pre-workout.

– All berries… I prefer Strawberries, but all berries have very powerful anti-inflammatory properties.

– Watermelon… nothing else comes close to it’s hydration capabilites. Added bonus: citrulline.

SEASONAL FOODS:

– Pomegranates… an incredibly powerful fruit with an endless supply of health benefits. I eat one everyday from September-January when they are in season.

I consume large quantities of these foods on a weekly basis. They provide my body with high-quality protein, carbohydrates and fats. They are all highly digestible and cause no bloat. My energy levels are excellent throughout the day.  My pumps in the gym are tremendous.  I lead a very demanding and active lifestyle, and at 47-years old, these particular foods have proven themselves highly effective for almost 30-years.

We all have different goals and they may occur at different times throughout the year, but don’t forget to make sure that you’re providing your body with a balanced supply of the highest quality nutrients – this will ensure your long-term success in the bodybuilding game!