A muscle building routine is incomplete without a proper diet or protein shake. Regardless of what other people may be telling you, your diet plays a vital role in your muscle building success.
This is one of the reasons why most trainers recommend a healthy diet. On the other hand, muscle building shakes contain amino acids and proteins which allow your muscles to recover immediately after a workout. However, this will only work if you are using the right ingredients. Here are some ingredients which can be used for making the ultimate muscle-building shake:
Bananas
Bananas are perfect for your muscle building shake. Soft or frozen, they offer a sweet taste along with a dessert-like texture. They contain all the essential nutrients, including vitamin B6, potassium and fiber. You should keep in mind vitamin B6 keeps your immune system strong and your brain healthy. Not only will it fuel your body but it will boost your energy levels in no time.
Spirulina
Even though you may have not heard of it before, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t get familiar with Spirulina. Spirulina is something of green-blue algae. It is rich in almost every essential nutrient that comes to mind.
It contains vitamin B, protein, iron, omega-3s and beta carotene. However, you have to keep in mind it does contain toxins since it absorbs metals from the soil it’s grown in. But if you are buying Spirulina from a trustworthy vendor, you have nothing to worry about.
Raspberries
One of the best things about raspberries is their sugar content is low. Not only are raspberries rich in fiber but also loaded with vitamin C, potassium, and other necessary antioxidants, which keep you feeling fresh and fight off various diseases, like cancer.
To enhance your shake, you can pair raspberries with any protein and you have yourself a cancer fighting, anti-aging and muscle building shake.
Spinach
Greens are all the rage nowadays. There’s a good reason why they come highly recommended for muscle building shakes as well. These greens, including spinach, deliver huge amounts of nutrients into your system in no time. Spinach also contains a compound referred to as lutein which enhances your eyesight as well.
It also provides more than 200% of the recommended intake of vitamin K. This is essential for strengthening your bones and will prove to be a viable alternative if you are cutting back on meats, especially when you are trying to get more iron into your diet.
Protein
No muscle building shake is complete without proteins. You have a range of options to choose from but you can never go wrong with whey. It is low in carbs and high in proteins. It also contains the essential amino acids required to facilitate muscle growth. But if you are looking for a non-dairy alternative, pea protein is for the perfect choice for you.
It offers the same benefits as whey and is perfect for vegans. On the other hand, Greek yogurt can offer a hefty dose of protein too. Each serving packs approximately 186mg of calcium and should make your power shake feel like a treat.
Almond Butter
Almond butter is perfect for muscle building shakes. It contains more vitamin E, calcium and iron than peanut butter. Additionally, is has less saturated fats and is rich in monounsaturated fats. In other words, it is the best ingredient for people suffering from high cholesterol. Due to its high fiber content and proteins, it also keeps your hunger at bay.
Chia Seeds
Sprinkling a spoonful of Chia seeds on your shake can help your muscle building routine. These tiny seeds pack a punch based on their nutritional stats.
They are a great source of omega-3s and 2 tablespoon servings can pack as much as 10g of fiber. Research also indicates that by consuming Chia seeds, you can lower blood pressure and cholesterol.
Cinnamon
When it comes to creating a dynamite shake, supplements, vegetables and fruits usually come to mind. However, spices like cinnamon can do wonders for you too. Cinnamon is a versatile spice that is sweet and works with any shake.
Latest findings have shown cinnamon to contain essential properties and compounds which helps regulate blood sugar. It proves to be a great choice for people suffering from hypoglycemia or diabetes.
Keeping the aforementioned ingredients in mind, you will now be able to make the best muscle building shakes to complement your workouts. You should also keep in mind that it is a good idea to consume these shakes right after your workouts and not whenever you feel like it.
Doing so will flood your muscles with the required nutrients to grow and repair itself. It will only be a matter of time before you begin seeing results but only if you take care of your diet with your workout routine.
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