The Five Pillars of Good Nutrition

There are many different factors that go into developing a good fitness plan for yourself, but none may be more important than eating correctly. You can put all the time in the world into working out in the gym, but if you don't have a solid nutrition plan you probably will not see the results you are aiming for. Lucky for you I have done some research to outline the five key points of nutrition and meal planning that will give you a solid ground-plan for your diet.

1) Try to Eat Six Times A Day

Fuel your body with snacks and smaller portioned meals frequently throughout the day to keep your metabolism constant and your blood sugar levels in check. Eating six small meals during the day is better for feeding and stimulating the growth of new muscle.

2) Limit Processed Foods

Basically if it has a brand name and comes from a package or box--don't eat it. These types of food hold little to no nutritional value and also boost high caloric values that will hinder your progress in the gym. Eliminate eating these types of food as much as possible.

3) Stay Hydrated

Sounds simple, but staying hydrated will increase your metabolism and keep you at peak performance in the gym. Avoid drinking sugar-laden drinks that will only add size to your waistline and sabotage your body's natural antioxidant system.

4) Consume Lean Protein Throughout the Day

Provide your body with stimulants for muscle growth while kick-starting the fat-burning process by consuming lean protein sources every few hours throughout the day. The best sources for this type of protein is found in beef, chicken, fish, low-fat dairy products, and soy.

5) Be Strategic with Carbohydrate Intake

Carbs come in two forms--starchy and non-starchy. The non-starchy variant is what is found in fruits and vegetables and is rarely a dietary problem; controlling starchy carbs, however, is the key the maintaining a lean and muscular body. These carbs are found in products such as bread, rice, and pasta. Be sure to eat these types of carbs either directly in the morning when your metabolism is starting up, or after a workout to be sure these carbohydrates are being used as an replenishing energy source right away.

Following these five guidelines will give you a base to start tracking out your diet plan. Regardless of what your fitness goals are, not eating is never the correct option and is even dangerous. A combination of putting the time in the gym and eating healthy amounts of food is the healthiest option and will have you looking your best this summer.