Low-Carb Bodybuilding Diet

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Low-Carb Bodybuilding Diet – Is It Even Possible?

This is how some people think bodybuilding works: you eat enough carbs to avoid using up the protein in the body because you need as much of it as possible in order to build muscles. And yet, there are some people who try to be bodybuilders while still adhering to a low-carb diet. Which raises the question, is it actually possible to be a bodybuilder on a low-carb diet? More importantly, what would the results be like? Well, here's is a look at the implications a low-carb diet would have on your bodybuilding efforts.

The Myth

There are many longstanding myths about bodybuilding diets. One of the most common of this is the argument that to put on muscle mass, you have to go low on fats and high on carbs. This perception makes many people highly sceptical about the effectiveness of a low-carb diets for bodybuilding. To many, it seems extremely counterproductive for someone trying to build muscle to consume less carbs.

Low Doesn’t Mean None!

First of all, you need to understand one important truth a low carb does not mean no carbs. So, even if you are consuming less carbs, you will still have something to burn through when trying to bulk up. For one, you should understand that at least 30 percent of your calories should come from your carbs. Below this value, you would be talking of a carb deficiency, not a low carb diet, and in bodybuilding circles, a diet where carbs contribute just 30% of the required calories certainly falls under the "low-carb" category.

Higher Protein Intake

While at it, you will have to ensure that proteins are responsible for a much bigger proportion of your caloric requirements. Even so, you have to ensure that this percentage does not go beyond 35%. Past this limit, the added protein offers no additional muscle building benefits.

More Calories From Fats

A reduction in carb consumption will also mean leaning a lot more on fats as a source of your daily calories. But, as with the proteins, you should not let the fats in your diet account for more than 35% of your required calorie intake. As you have probably figured out by now, the total amount of calories from the carbs (30%), proteins (35%) and fats (35%) should add up to 100% with the most extreme low carb diet.

Need To Use Better Quality Carbs

Then there is the issue of carb quality. When on a low-carb diet, you have to ensure that the quality of carbs you consume is much better. For instance, whole grain, vegetables and fruits provide high quality carbs that can make a low-carb diet more appropriate for a bodybuilder.

The Results Speak For Themselves

So, in answering the question whether a low-carb bodybuilding diet works, it is important to look at some of the results this diet has produced. The simple answer is that this diet actually works. In fact, low-carb may help out in some ways. For instance, getting a sculptured muscle definition requires economic use of carbs.

There are lots of ripped guys and girls who sport sculptured physiques despite sticking to low-carb diets. But as mentioned above, you have to ensure you don't go beyond the minimum carb requirements to avoid burning away muscle mass. The truth is, many bodybuilders go overboard when it comes to carb intakes, which by definition makes any carb intake around the minimum consumption requirements fall under the low-carb diet category in the bodybuilding universe.

About The Author

The person behind the growing Crazy Gain website is Kevin Hodges who over the years has gained knowledge and skills in fitness and muscle building (mostly through trial and error) and now has the goal to make the world a much fitter and healthier place to be. 

Check out his blog post on the best supplements to get ripped and look lean!