by Past Parallel

Created on: July 06, 2009   Last Updated: July 08, 2009

The 10 Best Foods for Weightlifters

"Let your food be your medicine and your medicine be your food." -Hippocrates

With each bite of food a person eats he is getting ever closer to or farther from his fitness goals. Even the people consuming food without fitness goals are eating themselves in one direction or the other. The first point of business is coming to the realization of food as having a tremendous impact on one's health. Once an individual understands food as a powerful ally or formidable opponent, progress can be had. The next thing the lifter has to do is discern the best foods to support the specific needs of a weight lifter. I am going to chart the 10 best foods for weightlifting and why each food meets our criteria. As a weight lifter, one must consume adequate amounts of foods that can:

A. Provide energy to train with weights

B. Repair damaged muscles

C. Reduce inflammation

D. Boost immune system function to fight sickness and allow one to continue training

1. Eggs- are a great source of protein, B-vitamins, and factors that are necessary for cognitive functioning. Chose an omega-3 rich brand, and you will reap muscle- repairing, inflammation-reducing, and immune-boosting benefits. Eggs are versatile and can be prepared in many different ways. Eggs are also relatively inexpensive and a great value for the weight lifter.

2. Chicken- boneless, skinless chicken breasts are a staple of a weight lifter's diet for good reason. A 4-ounce chicken breast provides around 25 grams of protein, and when using boneless and skinless varieties there is relatively little fat or carbohydrate calories from this food. This is a great food for ensuring the body is supplied with protein to repair the muscle damage weight training causes.

3. Salmon- this is one of the best foods on earth. Regardless of one's fitness goals salmon can help. Salmon is loaded with protein, omega-3 fish oils, and Astaxanthin. The protein helps repair muscle damage, and the omega-3 oils help reduce inflammation and nourish the heart, brain, joints, skin, and help prevent cancer. Eating salmon is a great natural anti-aging food that helps to build muscle and burn body fat. The most healthful salmon is wild caught, but this type of salmon is also the most expensive.

4. Steak- this is a classic food for weight lifters, and this food has earned an undeserved bad reputation. Steak provides protein, CLA, creatine, and vitamins. This is

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