Most serious intermediate to advanced level bodybuilders don't miss the mark when it comes to meeting their daily protein goals. They chug down shake after shake, and they chew bite after bite of chicken or steak until their daily goal of 300 to 400 grams is met. Bodybuilders know that protein is the key to muscle building.



Most serious bodybuilders don't miss their daily carbohydrate or fat goals. They love the potatoes, rice, and pasta, and shovel it down on a daily basis. They love their EFA's and the fat content, which accompanies delicious meats. Carbs and fats are seldom neglected in a bodybuilder's diet. Bodybuilders know that carbs and fats provide the energy required to use protein to build muscle.

Many serious bodybuilders do, however, miss their daily goal of five fruits and vegetables. This is a minimum number of course, as the added hardships that such large amounts of food-consumed daily often require 6 to 8 vegetable servings. Many bodybuilders do not know that fruits and vegetables provide not only essential vitamins and minerals, but also the fiber needed to make the digestive system function more efficiently, allowing proteins, carbs, and fats to do their job.

If you're not a huge fan of fruits and vegetables, you might find the tomato to be a nice addition to your diet. While technically a fruit, it is most commonly prepared like, and classified with vegetables. Tomatoes contain a great deal of Vitamin C, potassium, iron, B complex, and anti-oxidants. All of these micronutrients are crucial in the muscle building and recovery processes. Additionally, since bodybuilders are often at a higher risk of heart disease and prostate issues due to their increased food intake and stressors upon the body, they can benefit greatly from the lycopene, which tomatoes contain. Lycopene reduces likelihood of heart disease and prostate cancer, and is one of the primary reasons that many people choose tomatoes, aside from the taste.

Tomatoes can be purchase whole, or in cans or jars. They should be added to 1-2 meals per day in order to gain the maximum benefits. As with many foods, tomatoes provide good benefits for all people, but great benefits for bodybuilders.