5 Unconventional Super Foods for Building Muscle

Stefan Pinto

Building muscle mass requires a daily intake of not only protein, but good carbohydrates for energy. Fuel your fitness muscle building power with these muscle building foods:

Spinach: Imagine if you could increase protein production by 120%? You can, with spinach. According to a Rutgers University study, phytoecydysteroid a compound found in spinach, allowed muscle tissue to repair itself faster. Possibly not only building muscle, but making you stronger. Eat a serving of spinach after every workout to increase muscle mass.
Lentils: Unrefined complex carbohydrates are an ideal staple following a workout as they provide the energy your body craves. Lentils are one of the few high-protein legumes that provide anywhere from 15-20g of our daily protein requirement, plus fiber, vitamins and minerals and zero fat.
Sweet Potato: Bodybuilders have been known to use this edible, tropical tuber to expand muscles. Sweet potatoes are nutrient powerhouses, rich in Vitamins A and C, both powerful antioxidants (help remove free radicals that only serve to damage cells). Sweet potatoes are also low in calories. Learn more about sweet potatoes.
Quinoa (keen-wah): Higher in fiber and protein than oats, quinoa is packed with potassium, iron and the very much need good carbohydrates (without carbohydrates, the body will use protein for energy instead of for building muscle). Quinoa is an ideal muscle-building foods as it contains all essential amino acids for packing on muscle mass.

5. Apples: More for weight loss, the pectin in apples helps you to feel full, making it ideal for post-workouts. The peel of the apple is the most beneficial part of this common, everyday fruit, however apples are highly contaminated with pesticides. Best to buy organic.