Diet For Gym Beginners

Apr 15, 2023

By GNC India

When you start your fitness journey, it is important to understand that your body is fueled by the nutrition you provide. That’s why we cannot stress enough the importance of a healthy and balanced diet. Whether you want to gain muscle mass, lose weight, or maintain your fitness, it can all be achieved with the right gym diet. This blog discusses what foods you should add to your diet and a specific gym diet plan for beginners.

Foods You Should Add To Your Diet Plan

As a beginner, you should be very mindful of your diet. Let’s discuss what foods you should incorporate into your gym diet:

Carbohydrates
It's a common misconception that to improve health or lose weight, one must eliminate carbohydrates. This is not the case. Carbohydrates are the primary source of sustained energy for your bodies.

They come in two forms – simple and complex. Complex carbs, while taking longer to digest, provide a steady release of energy. To determine the best carbohydrate sources for your needs, consult with your dietician and trainer.

Proteins
Proteins, a vital component of your diet, are especially important for engaging in regular workouts or gym sessions. While natural foods like dairy products, eggs, and chicken can provide your daily protein intake, intense workouts require high quality protein for muscle building, reducing fatigue and muscle soreness, and enhancing strength and stamina.

To ensure you're meeting these needs, consider incorporating premium quality GNC whey protein supplements into your routine.

Fats
Fats are often misunderstood as the main cause of weight gain. However, this is a myth. When consumed in the right quantity, healthy fats can be beneficial for your body. They aid in the proper absorption and transportation of nutrients, contributing to overall health. To learn which healthy fats are suitable for your fitness routine, consult with your dietician.

Best Foods For Gym Beginners

Many beginner-level fitness enthusiasts and gym goers get confused about what pre and post-workout foods they should have. Focus on carbohydrates as all pre-workout meals or snacks to give the body energy to last the full session.

Try to eat simple carbs instead of complex carbs before your workouts. And it is advisable to eat complex carbs at least 2 hours before you work out. You can also include GNC pre-workout supplements in your routine. Some of the best pre-workout foods are:

Cereal and granola
Bananas
Yogurt with fruits and nuts
Pre-workout smoothie
Oatmeal

Once your workout is done, you need to focus on recovery and reduce muscle breakdown and soreness. Providing the right nutrition will help achieve all these fitness goals. One of the best post-workout foods is a whey protein supplement.

You can have it within 30 minutes of completing your workout. Some of the other foods that you can have post workouts are:

Whole grain toast with peanut butter
Apple with peanut butter
Whole grain toast with avocado
Whey protein smoothies

7-Day Diet For Gym Beginners

Follow this easy diet plan if you are a gym beginner and want to see great results.

Day 1

Breakfast
Oats and banana pancakes + protein shake
Lunch
1 bowl salad + 2 multigrain rotis + Spinach and chicken/ paneer curry
Pre-Workout Snack
2 bananas
Dinner
1 cup sprouts salad + 1 cup brown rice + 1 cup peas and paneer curry

Day 2

Breakfast
Oats with Greek yogurt and seasonal fruits
Lunch
1 bowl salad + 2 multigrain rotis + 1 cup fish curry/ vegetable curry
Pre-Workout Snack
Avocado with multigrain toast
Dinner
1 bowl salad + Daliya with vegetables

Day 3

Breakfast
2 multigrain toasts + 2 boiled eggs + protein shake
Lunch
1 bowl salad + quinoa upma + grilled chicken
Pre-Workout Snack
Mixed nuts and dry fruits + fruit of choice
Dinner
1 bowl salad + 1 cup brown rice + 1 cup vegetable/ chicken curry + 1 cup cucumber raita

Day 4

Breakfast
Oatmeal with honey and nuts + 1 glass of fresh fruits/ vegetable juice
Lunch
1 bowl salad + grilled chicken + 2 wholegrain toasts
Pre-Workout Snack
Whole grain toast with peanut butter
Dinner
1 bowl salad + 1 cup brown rice + 1 cup methi chicken/ paneer

Day 5

Breakfast
2 wholegrain toasts + 2 scrambled eggs + whey protein shake/ smoothie
Lunch
1 bowl salad + Grilled chicken/ paneer and vegetables chapati rolls
Pre-Workout Snack
2 bananas
Dinner
1 bowl sprouts salad + Chicken/ vegetables stir fry

Day 6

Breakfast
Oatmeal with skimmed milk, nuts, and fruits
Lunch
1 bowl vegetable salad + Whole grain chicken/ paneer wraps
Pre-Workout Snack
Apple with peanut butter
Dinner
1 cup boiled sweet potato + 1 cup brown rice pulao + 1 cup salad

Day 7

Breakfast
2 wholegrain toasts with avocado spread + whey protein smoothie
Lunch
1 bowl salad + 1 cup whole wheat pasta
Pre-Workout Snack
Granola bar or cereal
Dinner
1 cup Peas and broccoli salad + 1 cup brown rice pulao

Dos & Don'ts of Nutrition For Gym Beginners

If you're a novice at the gym, there are several nutrition rules you should abide by.

Keep yourself hydrated and drink at least 8 – 10 glasses of water a day
Cut down aerated drinks and packaged juices from your diet
Consume all three macros – carbohydrates, proteins, and fats
Add a source of protein to all three meals of your day
Do not skip breakfast or workout on an empty stomach in the morning
Don't eat complex carbs too close to the time of your workout
Cut down on alcohol and smoking and reduce stress as much as possible

Conclusion

Keep in mind that no diet or fitness supplement will show overnight results. It has to combine a healthy and nutritious diet, an optimum workout routine, and the best fitness supplements. Ask your trainer and doctor which workout supplement – whey protein , BCAA supplement , mass gainer, etc. would be perfect for you. Buy the entire range from GNC India's official website.

Take your doctor's advice whenever you include new fitness supplements in your diet. Also, read the nutritional information and dosage instructions carefully. Do not consume more than the mentioned amount, as it may cause side effects.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the Gym Diet for Beginners?
To begin with a gym diet, focus on nutrient-dense foods such as fruits, lean protein, healthy fats, complex carbs, veggies, and tons of water. Consume well-balanced portions.

2. How do I Start a Gym Diet Plan?
Avoid sugary drinks and processed foods. Start by consuming whole foods and balancing your meals and snacks. Follow a healthy diet plan, which includes fruits, vegetables, proteins, etc

3. What are the Best Supplements for a Gym Diet?
Whey protein and Creatine are some of the best supplements for your gym diet.

4. What Diet is Best for Gym?
A high-protein diet is crucial to help build muscle. Hence, it is essential to add plenty of protein-rich foods into your diet to get the best results.