“No, they’re not packed with protein, but veggies are a still a bodybuilder’s best friend.”
Written by Dorian Yates
To maximize mass gains the basic rule of thumb is to take in protein throughout the day at two-hour intervals, and that time-released plan includes the preworkout meal. I generally train in the late morning, and I have a meal replacement powder — high in protein, amino acids and minerals with only a small amount of carbs — about 90 minutes prior to my session. If you plan to eat two hours before training, it’s fine to opt for a balanced meal of chicken breasts (protein), rice or potatoes (starchy carbs) and green vegetables (complex carbs).
Immediately after training, I slam down a simple-carb drink to raise insulin levels, force the carbs and amino acids back into the muscle and to restore glycogen levels. This recovery-drink supplement should be 75% simple sugars and 25% quick-to-digest proteins, an ideal postworkout carb-to-protein ratio to spur recovery.