Pixabay / Cara Mia Gudelis
Any decent bro who uses the iron understands that diet is crucial to making serious gains. With that said, eating a good diet isn’t always easy. With the responsibilities of college, work and your girlfriend to balance, you’re probably broke by the end of the month.
With 5 billion calories to get in each week, and 10 billion grams of protein, this is a real problem.
Well… it used to be…
Dynamite Hot Turkey Chili
- 5oz Ground Turkey
- Can of Kidney Beans
- Half Can of Corn
- Chili Powder
- Extra Spices (Cumin, Paprika, Cayenne) [optional]
Calories: 395
Protein: 46g
Carbs: 50g
Real bodybuilding food isn’t just stuffed-full of protein – it’s also spicy as hell. This turkey chili satisfies both criteria, packing in almost 50g of protein per serving.
Turkey is also a hell of a lot leaner than beef, reducing both calories and fat. Start by browning the turkey in a skillet, before adding in the spices. Fry for about a minute, coating the turkey, and add in the rest of the ingredients. Simmer until thick, sticky and spicy!
Chicken and Pineapple Stir Fry
- 5oz of Chicken Breast
- Splash of Low-Sodium Soy Sauce
- 1 Sheet Dried Noodles
- Small Can of Pineapple Chunks
- 1 Red Pepper, Sliced
Calories: 342
Protein: 38g
Carbs: 40g
With 38g of protein, and an incredible amino acid profile, this low-calorie meal is as tasty as it is cheap. Best of all, it should satisfy your sweet cravings for a while – care of the delicious pineapple chunks. Cut your chicken breast into bite-size pieces, and marinade it for a few minutes in the soy. Add both the chicken and the soy to a sizzling hot pan, and fry until cooked. In the meantime, soak your noodles in boiling water. When both are cooked, drain the noodles, and combine with the pineapple and sliced red pepper. Add to the chicken breast and heat through to serve.
Salmon with Mint, Cucumber and Quinoa Salad
- 5oz Salmon Fillet
- 1 Cup Quinoa
- 1 Cup Diced Cucumber
- ½ Cup Diced Red Onion
- 2 Tbsp of Lemon Juice
- 2 Tbsp Chopped Mint Leaves
Calories: 380
Protein: 41g
Carbs: 30g
Whilst fish isn’t to every bodybuilder’s tastes, this recipe should suit the tastes of virtually everybody. Cook the quinoa, following the instructions on the packet, and when cooked, stir in the vegetables, mint and lemon juice. Whilst cooking the quinoa, fry the salmon over a moderate heat, until cooked-through and lightly seared.
Cheese-Stuffed Chicken Breast with Brown Rice
- 6oz Chicken Breast
- ½ cup Fresh Spinach
- 1 Tomato, Diced
- 2 Tbsp Feta Cheese
- ½ Cup of Brown Rice
Calories: 363
Protein: 43g
Carbs: 32g
This recipe requires you to ‘butterfly’ your chicken breast. It sounds kinda girly, but in reality, it’s using a sharp-ass knife to slit it in half. When that’s done, add in the Feta, tomato and fresh spinach. Use toothpicks to hold the breast closed, and fry it over a medium heat. When it’s cooked through and lightly browned, serve with brown rice.
Blueberry Protein Pancakes
- 1 Scoop of Protein Powder
- 3 Egg Whites
- ½ Cup of Blended Oatmeal
- ½ Banana
- ½ Cup of Blueberries
- 2 Tbsp of Baking Powder
Calories: 544
Protein: 47g
Carbs: 64g
Even the cleanest eaters need a cheat meal once in a while. Thankfully, this particularly delicious cheat meal isn’t all that bad – and with 64g of protein, and less than 600 calories, you can feel awesome whilst you eat it. Mix everything together in a bowl (whipping the eggs beforehand for a super-fluffy pancake) and cook over a medium heat. For the best results, use Vanilla protein powder!