We’ve all heard about the benefits of fish and how it can certainly be a part of any healthy weekly meal plan. This is certainly true for a number of dieters, but it can also be a beneficial addition to the diet of any bodybuilders. As you might be aware, fish is one of the only foods that contain omega-3 fatty acids which have a number of different beneficial indications. In fact, if you want to get omega-3 fatty acids into your system fish is the greatest source to do so. Many people refer to these acids simply as fish fatty acids and they have a considerable amount of benefits for a wide range of individuals.
General Benefits of Fish
If you’re looking to create a personalized meal plan, then it’s hard to go wrong with fish. It is like other meats in that it contains a large concentration of protein, but it doesn’t come with many of the other attendant risks of high-protein meats. This is because fish doesn’t contain the same high concentrations of fat and cholesterol found in other meats like beef or pork. A diet that includes a healthy dose of fish has also been shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. In this way, the meat is considered by many organizations to be “heart healthy.” It also bolsters the effects of the “good” HDL cholesterol to help clear up arteries.
But, eating fish and their fatty acids has also been shown to mitigate the effects or the occurrence of diseases like cancer, dementia, diabetes, asthma, and even depression. It is a known anti-inflammatory and you can get the full effects of a fishy diet by having it with a meal at least twice a week or taking fish fatty acid supplements.
Benefits of Fish for Weight Training
Unlike many other high-protein foods (like whey, etc.), fish does not appear to have any direct effect on the efficacy of a weightlifting regimen. Of course, all of its other benefits certainly have indirect effects on how well your session goes. Having a heart healthy meat in your personalized meal plan is always good for your continued health and wellness. For instance, it’s likely that you’ll perform better after having eaten a grilled salmon than you would after having eaten a greasy hamburger.
Eating fish or using fatty acid supplements also helps reduce joint pain, bolster bone health, and improve your mood. All of these help when it comes to weightlifting even if they don’t directly affect muscle capacity or growth. Regardless, if you want a healthy weekly meal plan, then fish is one of the best foods you can include. Try replacing other meats with fish or even adding omega-3 fatty acid supplements to your vitamin intake. As with anything else, eat fish and use fish byproducts in moderation.
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Written by Steve Gregg. Steve Gregg is a fitness expert from Miami, Florida. He has a degree in nutritional medicine and is a regular contributor on the topics of health, diets, and meal plans.
