2 Beets
A good source of betaine, also known as trimethylglycine, this nutrient not only enhances liver and joint repair, but also has been shown in clinical research to increase muscle strength and power.
Beets also provide an NO boost which can ehance energy and aid recovery.
3 Brown Rice
A slow-digesting whole grain that provides you longer-lasting energy throughout the day, and during workouts. Brown rice also can help boost your growth hormone (GH) levels, which are critical for encouraging lean muscle growth, fat loss and strength gains.
Brown rice helps boost your growth hormone (GH) levels
6 Cottage Cheese (Organic)
Rich in casein protein, cottage cheese is a great go-to protein source, especially before bed.
Casein protein is the slowest-digesting protein you can eat, meaning it prevents your muscles from being used as an energy source while you fast during the night.
7 Eggs
Eggs are known as the perfect protein, but their ability to boost lean muscle and strength gains isn't due to just the protein alone. It gets a lot of help from the yolks, where the cholesterol is found.
If you're worried about your cholesterol shooting up from eating the yolks, cholesterol from eggs has been shown to decrease the amount of LDL (bad) cholesterol particles associated with atherosclerosis.
Eggs are known as the perfect protein.
8 Milk (Organic)
Contains both whey and casein and is rich in the amino acid glutamine. Organic milk has about 70% more omega-3 fatty acids than conventional milk.
9 Quinoa
A complete protein in addition to being a slow-digesting carb, quinoa has been linked with an increase in insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels, an important factor associated with lean muscle and strength gains.
10 Wonka Pixy Stix
These contain dextrose, meaning this carb doesn't even need to be digested - it literally goes straight into your bloodstream, getting those carbs straight to your muscles for the fastest recovery possible after workouts.
11 Spinach
A good source of glutamine, the amino acid that is important for lean muscle growth.
Spinach is a good source of glutamine, the amino acid that is important for lean muscle growth.
12 Apples
Other research also shows that these polyphenols can increase fat burning as well. That's why it's a good idea to make apples a pre-workout carb source.
13 Greek Yogurt
Like plain yogurt, Greek yogurt starts from the same source: milk. Greek yogurt, however, has more protein (a whopping 20 g per cup) and fewer carbs (9 g per cup) than regular yogurt (16 g protein, 16 g carbs per cup).
It's also a good source of casein protein.
14 Ezekial 4:9 Bread
Ezekiel bread is made from organic sprouted whole grains. Because it contains grains and legumes, the bread is a complete protein, which means it contains all nine of the amino acids your body can't produce on its own - the ones needed for lean muscle growth.
15 Wheat Germ
Rich in zinc, iron, selenium, potassium and B vitamins, high in fiber and protein, with a good amount of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), arginine and glutamine.
The Lean Muscle One-Week Meal Plan
The following plan is designed for a woman weighing 140 pounds. When trying to gain lean muscle during a rigorous exercise program, a good rule of thumb is to shoot for an intake of about 13-15 calories per pound of bodyweight.
salsa 2 tbsp (Mix salsa in cottage cheese)
Nutrition Facts
Totals for the Day
Amount per serving
Calories 1, 835
Total Fat 65 g
Total Carbs 135 g
Protein 185 g
Tuesday
Nutrition Facts
Totals for the day
Calories 1, 870
Total Fat 60 g
Total Carbs 145 g
Protein 190 g
Wednesday
Nutrition Facts
Totals for the day
Calories 1, 900
Total Fat 55 g
Total Carbs 160 g
Protein 180 g
Thursday
Nutrition Facts
Totals for the day
Calories 1, 850
Total Fat 75 g
Total Carbs 130 g
Protein 165 g
Friday
Nutrition Facts
Totals for the day
Calories 1, 915
Protein 195 g
Saturday
Nutrition Facts
Totals for the day
Calories 2, 000
Total Fat 70 g
Total Carbs 170 g
Sunday (High Carb "Cheat" Day)
Nutrition Facts
Totals for the day
Calories 2, 500
Total Carbs 255 g
Protein 160 g
1Frittata
- In frying pan on medium heat, cook onions for about five minutes with fat-free cooking spray; add broccoli and cook for about five minutes.
- In a large bowl, mix eggs, and cottage cheese and add to pan, lift and rotate pan so that eggs are evenly distributed; as eggs set around the edges, lift to allow uncooked portions to flow underneath.
- Turn heat to low, cover the pan and cook until top is set.
- Invert onto a plate.