Whether you’re a recreational or professional lifter, the goal is to foster maximal strength and muscle growth, and many people are achieving these goals by subscribing to CBD-infused diets. Having a CBD-infused diet that supports your powerlifting and bodybuilding goals is essential. The information on diet plans is massive, but you might feel overwhelmed by it. This post breaks down the ultimate powerbuilding diet, but with a CBD twist. It will help you recognize the best (CBD-infused) foods that will fast-track your success as a powerlifter or bodybuilder. The post is also sprinkled with various tips that are essential in both powerlifting and bodybuilding.
What Is Powerbuilding?
In strength sports, the common categories include powerlifting and bodybuilding, and these two activities are the building blocks of powerbuilding. Powerbuilding incorporates various training styles that are aimed at building strength and growing muscle size. Powerlifting helps with maximizing strength within muscles while bodybuilding spurs muscle growth and evenness. Common powerlifting workouts include the deadlift, bench press, and squat. On the other hand, bodybuilding is aimed at increasing muscle mass, and so the workouts usually target specific muscle groups. Bodybuilding training is typically repetitive and aids muscle growth.
Benefits of Powerbuilding Programs
Whether you’re a recreational or competitive lifter, chances are you have taken an interest in a powerbuilding program. Many people are drawn to this type of training as it promotes both strength and aesthetics. Powerbuilding programs may feature standard workouts or be tailored to an individual’s needs. The following are some of the benefits of signing up for a powerbuilding program.
1. Focus on Multiple Goals
Powerbuilding programs incorporate different workouts that ultimately help you achieve multiple goals simultaneously. Many lifters are not strictly looking for just one outcome. And so, they may sign up for a powerbuilding program, which helps them achieve precisely the multi-faceted results that they are looking for.
2. Increase Motivation
It takes a certain level of discipline to stay committed to a standard workout routine. A powerbuilding program usually incorporates varied exercises, and by sticking to the program, you exhibit a high level of mental discipline, which ultimately brings up your motivation. Motivation is a major driver of success in virtually all areas of life.
3. Overcome Plateaus
Sticking to one thing over a long time can cause you to hit a plateau. For instance, if you only perform powerlifting exercises, you might reach a point where no results are forthcoming. But then you incorporate bodybuilding training, and it can help overcome the plateau. Powerbuilding programs exert a challenge on your body.
The Importance of Diet and Nutrition in Powerbuilding
Your diet is your fuel, and working out is a resource-intensive activity. Whether you’re a powerlifter or bodybuilder, your dietary and nutritional needs are on average bigger than that of a regular person. Therefore, having a nutritionally sound diet should be one of your major focuses. There are certain foods that you should incorporate into your daily routine and there are foods that you should avoid.
If you have a poor diet, your workout program along with your genetics won’t be enough in reaching your true body potential. As a powerlifter or bodybuilder, diets can be tailored to your specific needs, but generally, you need to hit a daily quota by ingesting a certain amount of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Additionally, you should observe the following diet guidelines:
Training periods: when you’re training, you should consume more calories than average to enhance your strength potential. By increasing your caloric intake during training, you enable your body to create lean muscle mass.
Competition periods: in strength sports, there are numerous disciplines, and all are guided by different sets of rules. As a professional athlete, one of the challenges you might experience is cutting weight to enter a certain division. You may alter your diet to minimize your body weight without losing strength.
Nutrient timing: it’s one thing to adhere to your daily caloric needs and it’s a different thing to exercise nutrient timing. With nutrient timing, you ingest foods at calculated times to aid muscle recovery and maximal strength. You may need to work with a professional to ensure your food intake is strategic.
Powerlifting meets: when you’re scheduled to participate in a competitive event, the importance of getting your diet right cannot be overstated. Your performance is not tied to your strength only, but also your mental and emotional states and the food you consume can exert a positive or negative quality on your thoughts and emotions.
Infusing Your Diet With CBD for Powerlifting and Bodybuilding
CBD, short for cannabidiol, is a phytocannabinoid of the cannabis plant. Its main quality is that it has no psychoactive properties, meaning you can’t get high from taking CBD.
CBD was legalized in 2018, and even though many studies haven’t been done, borrowing from anecdotal evidence and preliminary research, CBD has numerous therapeutic advantages.
CBD has been suggested to help with reducing anxiety and pain, and it helps with improving skin health. Many people have incorporated CBD into their daily routines for maximum gains.
CBD for supercharging brain and muscles: CBD is useful to powerlifters and bodybuilders as it has been found to boost cognitive powers and physical strength.
And so, many powerlifters and bodybuilders are ingesting foods and drinks that contain CBD, and it’s helping them boost their maximal strength and aesthetic qualities.
Mixing CBD with food may be done in different ways like using CBD cooking oil, putting CBD powder on food, and placing CBD concentrates in foods and liquids.
There’s a way of mixing CBD with just about any food or drink that you’re preparing to enjoy, and lifters typically employ various creative methods.
The Powerlifting Diet Baseline
The ultimate powerbuilding diet consists of macronutrients like proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. If you have signed up for a powerbuilding program, it’s critical for your weightlifting training nutrition to contain these macronutrients within a balanced range. By analyzing macronutrients, you can easily track what you eat, and how much you eat.
1. Carbohydrates
Carbs or carbohydrates are the major cradle of energy for the body and are usually drawn from plants and dairy yields. Upon ingestion, carbohydrates are metabolized into glucose, which acts as fuel in physiological functions like muscle cell growth. Experts endorse the consumption of carbs up to 60% of an individual’s daily calorie intake, but the carbs that a lifter needs are generally on a higher level.
Carbs can be either simple or complex. Simple carbs are made up of one or two molecules and are easily metabolized. Simple carbs are reputed as a quick source of energy. Some examples of simple carbs include sugars and candies. On the other hand, complex carbs are made up of numerous molecules. Some common forms of complex carbohydrates include beans and vegetables, and upon ingestion, complex carbohydrates typically leave you feeling satisfied for longer, while simple carbohydrates prompt your hunger soon.
Carbs are critical in powerbuilding training. For instance, when you’re doing those energy-intensive reps, the stored form of carbs (glycogen) is what keeps you going. The following are some of the common sources of carbohydrates:
- Vegetables
- Tubers
- Legumes
- Potatoes
- Whole grains
Experts recommend consuming up to 3.6 grams of carbohydrates per every pound of your body weight every day.
2. Proteins
Proteins are complex molecules with numerous functions in the body. They aid cell repair and growth; proteins help with transporting oxygen and creating antibodies for the immune system, and they help with cell regeneration. As a lifter, you cannot afford not to have proteins in your ultimate powerbuilding diet.
If your diet doesn’t have adequate protein, you inevitably experience health problems like tissue degradation and weakened muscles. Experts recommend ingesting up to 0.90 grams of protein per pound. Once you hit 40 years, your muscles start to shrink ever so slowly, but constant consumption of protein can mitigate the effects.
As a lifter, you typically experience muscle soreness after training, and the soreness is caused by microscopic tears in your muscles. This is what promotes the growth of muscle. Protein helps with repairing the damaged muscle cells and is a building block that causes your muscles to appear bigger as compared to the previous time.
You may ingest protein sources during typical mealtimes, or you may ingest them at calculated periods to reap more benefits. For instance, ingesting some protein before a workout enables your body to respond much better to the workout. The following are some of the common sources of proteins:
- Lean meats
- Yogurt
- Tuna
- Turkey
- Eggs
Proteins consist of complex, long-chain amino acids, and they are essential in the ultimate powerbuilding diet.
3. Fats
Fats, also called lipids, are generally produced by the body, but there are other fats, which are typically ingested. Dietary fats fall into three categories: unsaturated, saturated, and trans fat. Unsaturated fats are usually drawn from plant foods like nuts and seeds; saturated fats are drawn from foods like red meat and cheese, and trans fat usually comes from processed foods.
Some fats have been labeled “good fats” and others have been labeled “bad fats”. Good fats refer to unsaturated fat, and they aid heart health. Some of the benefits of good fats include reducing exposure to heart disease, reducing bad cholesterol while promoting good cholesterol, and regulating blood pressure. Some of the sources of good fats include avocados, walnuts, and olives.
Bad fats usually refer to saturated fat and trans fat. Saturated fats can increase bad cholesterol and potentially cause heart problems. Some of the common sources of saturated fat include red meat, lard, and milk. Even though saturated fat is not healthy, it’s still considered better than trans fat.
Trans fat promotes bad cholesterol and minimizes good cholesterol. A small percentage of trans fat may be drawn from meat and dairy supplies, but for the most part, trans fat is found in artificial products. Even federal organs like the FDA have taken a stance against trans fat. Some of the common sources of trans fat include doughnuts, stick margarine, and fries.
Saturated and unsaturated fat is included in the ultimate powerbuilding diet. The following are some of the foods you should consume to draw saturated fat:
- Chicken skin
- Tropical oils
- Cheese
- Ice cream
- Beef
And the foods below will load you up with unsaturated fat:
- Salmon
- Nuts
- Seeds
- Peanut butter
- Pumpkin
The CBD-Infused Powerlifting Diet Plan
When a regular person signs up for a diet plan, they are only guided into what to eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. However, a powerlifter also needs to consider what they’ll consume during the pre-workout, training, and post-workout phases. Powerlifters have numerous options for foods as long as they incorporate macronutrients like carbohydrates, protein, and fat.
Breakfast: after a good night’s sleep, you’re refreshed, and your muscles are still recovering. Some of the breakfast ideas include CBD-infused cinnamon muffins, poached eggs, and CBD-infused fruit smoothies; boiled eggs, granola, and hemp milk; CBD almond pancakes, berries, and freshly squeezed juice.
Lunch: this is the most important meal of the day. Some of the best suggestions for lunch include salmon, rice, and CBD fruit smoothie; CBD chicken salad, roasted potatoes, and strawberries; CBD grilled turkey, apple slices, and broccoli.
Dinner: it’s recommended to take your dinner way before sleep time. Some of the choice meals for dinner include CBD tuna, beans, and pasta; CBD carrot salad and healthy fries; CBD bean soup, brown rice, and roasted fish.
Pre-workout: the foods that you ingest before training can affect your performance and recovery. The best pre-workout foods increase your energy, hydration, and moods. Some of the ideal pre-workout meals include chicken, CBD-mixed asparagus, and eggs.
During workout: working out is a physically draining activity, mainly when you perform strength exercises. The ideal foods to ingest during training are foods that provide energy like bananas, whole grains, and CBD coconut rice.
Post-workout: once you’re done training, your muscles are usually sore, and they need to recover and grow. The best post-workout meals are protein-based. Such meals enhance recovery, hydration, and muscle growth. Some of the ideal post-workout meals include CBD-laced avocado toast, yogurt-laced smoothies, and grilled fish.
Traits Of A Quality Diet Plan During Training
If you’re an ambitious lifter with no days off, it means that you’re fixated on training, and you’re likely to sign up for the best diet plan. Good diet plans have the following traits:
1. They Are Liberating
If you sign up for a diet plan, and you find that most of the foods are exotic and beyond your reach, you’re going to lose motivation, and continue with your regular eating habits. However, if the diet plan consists of normal foods that you have rapid access to, it’s easy to adhere to the meals, which fast track your success.
2. They Set You Up for Change
It doesn’t seem obvious, but what we consume can influence what we are. Diet plans not only introduce us to nutritious meals but also have the potential of modifying our habits, and by extension, change what we are. For instance, a diet plan might help you drop an addiction, and thus help you become a better person.
3. No Processed Foods
The best diet plans are made up of organic foods. Processed foods have passed through extensive industrial processes, and are likely to contain trans fat; the unhealthy form of fat that raises bad cholesterol and lowers good cholesterol. Therefore, it’s critical to check to see whether a diet plan consists of organic or processed foods.
Common Nutritional Mistakes that Hinder Powerbuilding
When training for athletic performance and aesthetics, the importance of sticking to a nutritious and balanced diet cannot be overstated. However, some lifters commit various nutritional mistakes that hold them back from getting the results they desire.
Eating junk: I know a bodybuilder who hardly reaches his potential because of his love for fast foods, and he usually argues that fast foods are okay since Michael Phelps enjoys them, and he’s lean as can be. But even though fast foods allow you to hit your daily caloric quotas, they limit you in terms of power and aesthetics. There’s also the danger of developing a lifestyle disease that can easily ruin your gains.
Overeating: after an intense workout that leaves you feeling “empty,” it’s easy to stuff your face with food and eat vastly more than you should, and it’s worse if the timing is poor. Ensure that you’re always within the caloric limits. Overeating might give you more strength, but it can easily ruin your aesthetics.
Skipping meals: experts recommend cutting down on calories instead of skipping meals. If you skip meals regularly, it may eventually lead to a loss of strength, and unstable blood sugar levels.
Protein Is Especially Important in Powerbuilding
When you look at most supplements that bodybuilders take they are generally protein-based. Protein is a critical macronutrient in powerbuilding. It’s at the center of boosting performance and improving aesthetics. Experts recommend that lifters ingest protein in every meal. Sometimes you may not access precisely all the foods that you want, but there are enough protein sources out there, and you can always perform your online research to figure out what is available to you. However, as much as protein helps with boosting cell repair and muscle growth, avoid ingesting an excessive amount, as it might lead to metabolic problems, or become a risk factor for heart disease.
Macronutrient Composition, Eating Frequency, and Meal Timing
There are different factors besides the actual foods that determine whether you’ll achieve your powerbuilding goals or not. To draw maximum benefits from your diet, you should work out the macronutrient composition, the meal frequency, and timing. Your powerbuilding goals may shift from time to time, thus having an intimate understanding of your diet and practices gives you the power to adjust dependably.
In powerlifting and bodybuilding, the common goals are increasing strength and developing muscle mass. Infrequently though, lifters might also have goals like losing weight or maintaining weight. The proper way of cutting weight protects the lifter from losing power. Weight loss is typically achieved by creating a caloric deficit through exercise and diet. Weight maintenance refers to preserving your current weight while increasing your strength and it’s also achieved by leveraging your diet.
The periods at which you eat can also influence your gains and recovery. Some lifters adhere to traditional eating periods while others eat within certain timeframes. Always adhere to a meal frequency and meal timing that is aligned with your powerbuilding goals.
Why It’s Hard To Train While Having A Poor Nutrition
As a lifter, you’re looking to build muscle and increase power, but if your nutrition is off, it becomes difficult to reach your powerbuilding goals. For instance, if you’re looking to lose weight and achieve a certain aesthetic form, you need to adhere to a great dieting program. One of the ways that lifters bog down their nutrition is by eating too much junk. Processed foods are calorie bombs, and it’s usually difficult to work them off. Good nutrition is also critical for aiding recovery after training. If you’re into snacks and fast foods, you miss the nutrients that are essential for recovery, which slows down your powerbuilding progress. The perfect powerbuilding nutrition is designed to promote your mental state and emotional stability. However, if you have poor nutrition, you’re likely to experience mental problems, which can ultimately ruin your training.
Experts’ View on Diet Plans and How Google Can Help
According to experts, diet plans play an essential role in powerbuilding. They are made up of a range of meals and are designed to fast-track success, but it’s essential to diversify your feeding options. With a simple Google search, you can explore new options, and explore a new world of benefits. The best diet plans consist of organic foods and are not restrictive.
The Takeaway: Clean Fuel in Powerbuilding
Powerbuilding refers to training programs that integrate powerlifting and bodybuilding styles. The goal of powerbuilding is to achieve strength and muscle growth. Diet is an essential factor in powerbuilding success. The ideal diet consists of macronutrients like protein, carbohydrates, and fat. In the Ultimate powerbuilding diet, we reveal which foods are vital in developing athletic power and muscle aesthetics. However, we throw CBD in the mix, which is a cannabis supplement that is helping powerlifters and bodybuilders reach greater potential.
