Bodybuilders gain muscle through regular weightlifting and exercise, but they also have to follow a high-protein diet in order to reach their gains goals. Below, you’ll find easy and delicious meals made for bodybuilders to prepare ahead of their week, as well as a sample 7-day menu to maximize your macros. Planning a weekly menu takes time and effort, so let’s get to work.
Our Top Bodybuilding Meal Prep Ideas
- Flank steak fajitas
- Baked salmon and asparagus
- Protein-packed yogurt bowl
- Protein waffles
- Thai chicken coconut curry
Steps
14 Bodybuilding Meal Prep Ideas
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Denver Omelet Muffins Denver (or Western-style) omelets are a great source of protein and healthy fats—plus they’re packed full of flavor! Plus, making them in “muffin” form is such an easy way to make time for a full breakfast in the morning. Start by whisking together a few eggs with a dash of milk, then stir in some bell peppers, ham, and shredded cheddar cheese. Pour the mixture into a muffin tin until each cup is almost full, then bake for about 20-25 minutes. [1] X Research source
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2Flank steak fajitas Flank steak fajitas means the lean meat protein you need after a workout can also taste amazing. Start by soaking flank steak cut into strips in your favorite marinade and then searing it with garlic, onion, and bell peppers until crispy. Serve in tortillas with cilantro, lime juice, and any additional toppings you like.Advertisement
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3Baked salmon and asparagus Loaded with protein and omega-3 fatty acids, salmon is the king of good fats. Rub it with butter and top with chili flakes, parsley, garlic, and salt. Place onto a baking sheet with tomatoes and asparagus. Drizzle with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and bake at 400° for 20 minutes.
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4Tofu scramble Tofu is packed with protein, which proves you don’t always need meat to put on bulk. It’s as easy as stir-frying pre-roasted potatoes, mushrooms, onion, tomato, and spinach and then setting them aside. Then, pan-fry broken-up tofu in soy sauce, garlic powder, and turmeric. Then, combine the two sets of ingredients for a meal you can store in the fridge or freezer.
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5Beef lettuce wraps Keep your midday lunch keto-approved to help you gain muscle with flavorful lettuce wraps. Saute onions together with lean ground beef until cooked through. Add sliced bell peppers, garlic, and basil to enjoy on lettuce wraps, which you can pick up on the go.
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6Cajun pulled pork You can prepare New Orleans-style pulled pork in a slow cooker with only a handful of ingredients. Just add pork butt, hot sauce, and Creole seasoning, and set it on low for 6-8 hours. You’ll have enough pulled pork to satisfy you after the toughest workout for an entire week (and likely have leftovers for freezing).
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7Protein-packed yogurt bowl High-protein yogurt bowls contain between 35 and 40 grams of protein and can prepare you for the gym in no time. Add protein powder, peanut butter, and cinnamon to Greek yogurt. Top with banana or apple slices, along with any nuts and seeds for extra nutrients. [2] X Research source
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8Turkey chili Whip up enough lean ground turkey chili for an entire week’s worth of bulk-focused lunches. Saute ground turkey and then combine with green chiles, red onion, red pepper, garlic, crushed tomatoes, and any kind of beans you like best. Season with crushed red pepper and chili seasoning, only to let simmer for 30 minutes.
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9Sweet potato hash Take advantage of complex carbohydrates from sweet potatoes with this nutritious beef hash after a session at the gym. Roast vegetables like broccoli or Brussels sprouts in a 425°F oven for 30-40 minutes. While cooking, saute the ground beef, red onion, and salt/pepper, and prepare mashed sweet potatoes. Combine them all into your meal prep containers for a power-packed lunch.
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10Protein waffles Transform your regular waffles into a high-protein version by adding protein powder. Start with a whole-grain or gluten-free waffle mix, and then subtract the amount of mix you replace with added protein powder. Enjoy before your morning workout for a healthy dose of protein.
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11Teriyaki chicken bowl Keep lean protein at the forefront with this easy recipe for flavorful Teriyaki chicken. Marinate chicken thighs in teriyaki sauce, a clove of garlic, a tablespoon of honey, 2 tablespoons of cooking oil, and grated ginger to taste. Then, saute the chicken over medium heat for 5-7 minutes. It’s easy to marinate the night before and serve for lunch in a bowl of white rice and broccoli or green beans.
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12Crustless quiche This quiche ditches the high-calorie crust in favor of a high protein mix of eggs, bacon, swiss cheese, zucchini, and cottage cheese for a creamy bite that will prep you for the day (and workout) ahead.
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13Ground turkey taco bowl Transport your favorite taco ingredients to a bowl by adding pan-cooked lean ground turkey, along with basmati rice, beans, salsa, and guacamole (for those good fats). Add a packet of taco seasoning to your ground turkey for all the right flavors.
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14Thai chicken coconut curry Thai flavors meld perfectly with a bodybuilder-focused diet with lean chicken breast, veggies, and coconut milk. Cook strips of chicken and set aside while you sauté onions, bell peppers, carrots, garlic, and ginger. Once the chicken goes back in, add 1.5 cups of coconut milk, a tablespoon of soy sauce, 1.5 teaspoons of curry powder, and 2 tablespoons of Thai red chili paste. You’ll have a curry that’s better than takeout (and more healthy, too).
Step-by-Step Guide for Bodybuilding Meal Prep
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Plan out your meal prep menu. Eating enough lean protein is the most important throughout the day, while carbohydrates are best enjoyed directly before or after your workout. [5] X Research source Bodybuilders should aim for a daily fat intake of 41 grams per day. This means that roughly 15% of your caloric intake should consist of fats while training to build muscle. [6] X Research source
- Decide on a time length for your bulking meal prep plan. How long you decide to stick to a bulking meal prep diet varies from person to person. Many bodybuilders start with a bulking cycle followed by a cutting cycle. A 4-week bulking plan is a solid place to start, especially if you’re new at this. [7] X Research source
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2Calculate how many macros and calories you need in a day. Macros are sources of protein, carbohydrates, and vegetables you need in larger amounts. [8] X Research source First, figure out how many calories per macro. There are 40 calories per 10 grams of protein or carbs and 90 calories per 10 grams of fat. Determine the total amount of macro calories by multiplying the grams of protein in a food by the calories. Repeat this equation for any carbohydrates or fat included in the meal. If you add up all three, you get the total macro calories per meal. [9] X Research source
- Use an online calculator to work out your daily macros. Many bodybuilders follow the 40-40-20 plan, a low-fat, high-protein diet for bodybuilders that is 40% protein, 40% carbs, and 20% fat. [10] X Research source
- There is no one-size-fits-all ratio for determining daily macros. Outside of using an online macro calculator tool, you can figure out how many macros you need daily by considering factors like age, gender, body type, height, weight, and fitness goals. [11] X Research source
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3Go shopping for your meal prep ingredients. Look for BOGO deals at the grocery store for staples like chicken, rice, or eggs. Begin by preparing enough food for one meal that lasts for a week, and work your way up from there. Remember, you can use one ingredient in multiple meals. [12] X Research sourceEXPERT TIPNASM Certified Personal TrainerLaura Flinn is a National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) Certified Personal Trainer, USA Olympic Weightlifting Sports Performance Coach and Certified Fitness Nutritionist, with an additional qualification as a TRX Suspension Trainer. Laura runs her own personal training program based in the San Francisco Bay Area and specializes in topics such as weight loss, muscle growth, cardiovascular training, and strength training.
High-protein foods directly affect increasing muscle mass. Foods that will help build muscle include lean protein like chicken, turkey, eggs, lean beef, fish, protein powder, and Greek yogurt. Complex carbs include sweet potato, brown rice, vegetables, and fruits. Healthy fats include avocados, nuts, and olive oil.
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4Cook and assemble your meals ahead of time, and store food properly. It’s worth spending a Sunday preparing a week’s worth of meals and refrigerating or freezing meals for the week. Invest in a set of airtight containers so your meals will stay fresh all week long.
Expert Q&A
Tips
References
- ↑ https://fitfoodiefinds.com/healthy-denver-omelet-egg-bake-serve-crowd/
- ↑ https://ohsnapmacros.com/high-protein-yogurt-bowls/
- ↑ https://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/bodybuilders_most_important_meal.htm
- ↑ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6680710/
- ↑ https://www.bodybuilding.com/content/meal-plan-for-every-guy.html
- ↑ https://biolayne.com/articles/nutrition/set-carb-fat-intake-maximal-gains/
- ↑ https://www.maxinutrition.com/blogs/sports/4-week-bulking-transformation-diet
- ↑ https://www.trifectanutrition.com/blog/how-to-count-macros-and-why-you-should-do-it
- ↑ https://www.trifectanutrition.com/blog/how-to-count-macros-and-why-you-should-do-it
- ↑ https://www.leanwithstyle.com/40-40-20-diet/
- ↑ https://crazybulk.com/blogs/nutrition/bodybuilding-macros
- ↑ https://www.bodybuilding.com/content/why-to-meal-prep-and-where-to-start.html
- ↑ https://adashofmacros.com/guide-freezing-meal-prep/
- ↑ https://outofair.com/blog/food-expiration-chart-shelf-life-of-your-vacuum-sealed-food
- ↑ https://www.peanutbutterandfitness.com/meal-prep-monday-monster-freezer-prep/#Tips_for_Vacuum_Sealing
- ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/ultimate-guide-to-reheating-what-you-batch-cooked-261470
- ↑ https://blog.nasm.org/time-saving-healthy-and-easy-meal-prep-ideas
- ↑ https://fitmencook.com/blog/dirty-bulk-vs-clean-bulk/