Thread: Diet effects on body eg. Cholesterol/BP

well .. salt clogs ur ateries making ur heart have to pump harder which is no good, but then again.. a bodybuilding diet is a lot healthier than the average joe diet.. we dont intake nearly as much salt as the regular schmoe

harmful...bodybuilding diet?? eating natural foods that help you grow and stay healthy is perfectly fine!!

what about the bloody steaks i mentioned?

as long as you are incorporating other things with them (like oats which lower cholesterol) then you should be ok, because i eat a lot of chicken and beef as well. and i wouldnt do anything to harm myself (but then agian i eat a ton of oats too)

Originally Posted by nmuriqi

Are there any negative effects to a bodybuilding diet on your cholesterol, blood pressure, heart, or other things of that nature? I am really stuffing myself with steak, fried potatoes, rice, and i was just wondering if i am doing harm to myself. I usually have a huge steak at least 3-4 days a week. Also, should i stay away from salt, and why? - i mean, screw the outside if i'm sacrificing the inside.

If you eat a well balanced, clean and natural diet then you are giving yourself the best thing you can.

A 'BB diet' does not mean you live on 'steak and fried potato'!!

Your diet should consist of:
- vegetables (LOTS!!)
- lean proteins (lean game meats, seafood, lean poultry, eggs/whites)
- whole grains (oats, barley, rye, brown rice) and their brans (oatbran, barley bran)
- legumes (lentils, beans)
- fresh fruits (YES!! YOU NEED THESE!!!)
- nuts and seeds (flaxmeal, walnuts, almonds)
- Skim dairy (milk, cottage cheese, yoghurts)
- WATER

This diet will be high in vitamins and minerals, give you lots of anti-oxidants and protective phytochemicals (eg: bioflavinoids and polyphenols), provide you with enough calories and macronutrients for your requirements (what ever your goals are), provide you with lots of fibre (both soluble and insoluble) and will basically help keep you healthy without too much trouble!

So, in terms of your steaks - pick lean cuts OR, better yet, use meats from game animals (deer, buffalo, kangaroo etc). Game meats have less saturated fats, more omega-fats and are leaner in general.

And don't eat fried potato! Have some baked sweet potato wedges instead (wash, leave skin on, cut into wedges and sprinkle with cinnamon and chilli).

As for salt - if you are eating right, then you will not get an excessive intake - it is only if you add extreme amounts to your food... Also, most people do not really need to watch their sodium intake (it is more important for people with a known disease such as kidney disease, heart disease or high BP or for people who are cutting for a competition and need to decrease subcutaneous water).

Thanks a lot everyone. Emma, I am now enlightened .