Published on: 06 September 2019
Last Updated on: 31 October 2024
Imagine a pub setting in the earlier days. Beer served in a pint glass with packets of greasy peanuts and a jukebox playing music in the background.
In recent years, the scene has changed. Now, you have hipster, craft ale, and gastropubs that are dominating the arena.
The common misconception of beer is that it’s fairly straightforward. There’s nothing sophisticated about the taste since the main goal is to get drunk. However, beer brewing is an art in itself.
Artisan brewers made it their life’s mission to change the way beer is viewed and consumed. From simple, large beer pints, beer is now better served in unique beer glassware.
Sampling beer is a big part of beer culture now. One reason for this is the myriad of flavors that are available in the market today. Your grandfather simply didn’t have the luxury of options when it came to beer or glassware!
With the pub culture constantly changing, what should you know when it comes to beer drinking etiquette?
Here are seven beer-drinking rules for most modern-day pubs:
Make Sure Everyone Has Their Beer
Before proposing a toast, make sure that everyone has their beer ready. Whether they are holding a can, small unique beer glassware, or bottle, make sure that everybody has a drink in their hand.
Say No to Warm Beer
“Thou shalt not offer warm beer.” The drinker can’t appreciate the aroma and taste if the beer is not served at the right temperature, which is between 3 to 5 degrees Celsius. Make sure to keep the beer chilled before serving.
Be Choosy with The Glass
It’s also discouraged to pour the beer in any glass. Each type of alcohol requires the right glass to enhance the flavor. While some of these glasses may look great, a beer would look out of place in a champagne glass.
Most beer drinkers know what kind of beer glass is appropriate to enjoy the aroma and taste of the beer. Be a gracious host and choose the right glass for the beer.
Keep the Foam
Never scrape the beer foam away. The foam keeps the taste of the beer. And as you chug it down, let the beer head touch your tongue. You can enjoy the flavor better when you do that.
Don’t Order Beer for Someone Else
Beers have different flavors and characteristics. In the same vein, beer drinkers have different tastes. So let others order their beer out of respect for their preferences. Let them decide the flavor they want.
Never Pour Beer in A Frozen Glass
In the same manner, don’t accept beer in a frozen glass. While beers taste best when chilled, it’s the beer that needs chilling not the beer glass. Freezing the glass kills flavor so you or your guest will not enjoy the taste.
Don’t Blindly Follow the Crowd
You drink beer for the aroma, taste, and experience. Don’t succumb to peer pressure by blindly ordering what everybody else is drinking. If you want your beer sweet, light, or soft, go for it! Unless, of course, somebody else is picking up the tab.
Keep these rules in mind the next time you drink with your friends or the next time you host a party at your home. Also, if you have been using beer pints, get rid of them and order your beer glasses today at Cheers All. Enjoy shopping with their extensive beer glass collection that will leave you in awe.
Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.
When you are into bodybuilding, your primary goal is to build muscles through weightlifting and proper nutrition. Bulking is a part of the bodybuilding process. However, bulking requires proper nutrition along with weightlifting. You need to consume the best bulking foods to ensure the right nutrition.
In this article, you will learn about the best bulking foods. Here, this article will explain the key nutrients bulking nutrients and the best protein sources.
Apart from that, you will also learn about the best fat and carbohydrate sources useful for bulking. Finally, you will also get some tips for effective bulking. Hence, to learn more, read on to the end of the article.
Why Is Bulking Integral To Bodybuilding?
Generally, bodybuilding involves two phases: bulking and cutting. In the former, the goal is to gain weight and build muscles, while the latter consists in reducing body fat.
Basically, bulking is a dietary process where you consume excess calories for muscle growth and weight gain. In fact, it is a common approach that athletes and bodybuilders use to increase their strength and muscle mass.
Hence, bulking refers to an increase in calories that your body consumes when it is in the process of intense weight training.
It is the stage where you gain muscles in your body. Here, you have to consume more calories than your body needs. However, you do it for a set period of time (4-6 months).
The extra calories that you consume works as a necessary fuel for muscle growth. Moreover, it provides strength to your body through weight training.
Best Bulking Foods: A General Overview
In bulking, your focus should be to give your body more energy than it consumes, thus creating a calorie surplus.
Meanwhile, this surplus creates extra energy, with the help of which your body creates muscle mass. Moreover, this energy helps you repair damaged tissues and fuel intense workouts.
Actually, bulking is one of the most important aspects of muscle growth. This is because if you build muscles, you must provide your body with enough energy. This way, it can build and repair damaged muscle tissues after your workout.
However, just because you are bulking, it does not mean that you have to consume as much food as possible. In fact, you must choose the best bulking foods and count your macronutrients. This way, you can support your muscle growth and minimize fat gain.
Key Nutrients For Bulking
If you want to achieve a clean bulk, you have to make smart food choices. In fact, if your choice of food is poor, it will lead to “dirty bulking.” As a result, you will end up with a lot of accumulated fat and minimal muscle gain.
In fact, in healthy bulking, you must consume quality foods and minimize your fat gains. This is because your goal is to maximize your muscle gain and ensure proper metabolism.
When bulking, you must focus on protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fats. Here is a breakdown of each nutrient you need for muscle gain:
Proteins
The importance of protein in muscle growth and repair is the highest. This is because proteins are the building blocks of muscles. Hence, in your bulking phase, aim to have a higher protein intake.
Consume 1g of protein for each pound of your body weight. For example, if your body weight is 180 lbs, consume 180 grams of protein each day when you are bulking.
Some good sources of lean protein include lean meats, eggs, poultry, fish, dairy products, lentils, beans, etc.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates help you in providing energy for intense workouts. Also, it helps create a bulk in the muscles. Basically, carbs replenish the glycogen inside your muscles.
However, when you are bulking, take 1.5 grams of carbs for 1 lb of your weight. For example, if your body weight is 180 lbs, consume 250-270 grams of carbs daily when you are bulking.
When choosing carbs for bulking, focus on consuming complex carbohydrates. These include brown rice, whole grains, fruits, sweet potatoes, and vegetables.
Fats
Healthy fats are necessary for overall health and hormone production. Apart from that, it also helps in nutrient absorption. Hence, to consume healthy fats, you can include sources like nuts, seeds, avocados, olive oil, fatty fish, etc.
Best Protein Sources For Bulking
The following are some of the best protein sources when you are in your bulking phase:
Lean Meats: Some good sources of protein are chicken or turkey. This is because they have less saturated fat than red meat. For instance, you will get 18-25 grams of protein from 100 grams of chicken breast.
Dairy Products: Generally, Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, and milk have high protein and high calories. Hence, they help you to build muscles faster. Apart from that, cottage cheese helps you in muscle recovery and growth due to its slow and steady dissolution.
Fish and Seafood: Fishes like salmon, tuna, and shrimp are high in protein and healthy fat. Hence, you can consider consuming them from time to time.
Eggs: Eggs are a good and fast-acting source of lean protein. Also, it contains healthy cholesterol. However, do not consume the egg yolk (yellow part) more than 2 in a day as it will increase cholesterol in your body. Meanwhile, you can consume multiple egg whites of boiled eggs in a single day. In fact, this is a good source of lean protein.
Plant-Based Proteins: Plant-based proteins are lean and healthy at the same time. Some good sources of such protein are beans, lentils, tofu, and tempeh.
Protein Supplements: If you eat too much, you will feel bloated at the end of the day. Hence, you need protein supplements that will help you supplement the shortage of protein that you consume in a day. Some examples of protein supplements are whey protein, casein protein, and plant-based protein powders.
Best Carbohydrate Sources For Bulking
Here are some of the best bulking foods for carbohydrates that will help you during the bulking phase:
Sweet Potatoes: a great post-workout snack that contains nutrients and fibers. Also, it will help you restore glycogen levels in your body.
Fruits: Different types of fruits come with various nutrients and carbohydrates. Apart from that, fruits also add antioxidants to your body. For instance, a good fruit option to consume after a workout is a banana.
Whole Grains: You can find whole-grain bread and pasta helping you consume complex carbs. Generally, they contain more vitamins, fiber, and minerals. Apart from that, you can also choose brown rice to get good-quality carbs.
Legumes and Quinoa: Quinoa, beans, and lentils are excellent sources of carbohydrates.
Best Fat Sources For Bulking
Here are some of the best bulking foods for healthy fats that you can use during your bulking phase:
Nuts and Seeds: Some essential and healthy sources of fats are almonds, chia seeds, walnuts, and flaxseeds.
Oils: For instance, coconut oil, olive oil, and avocado oil are great additions when considering fat for your diet. Hence, try to use coconut oil and olive oil in your cooking. This way, you can increase healthy fats and additional calories.
Avocados: Avocadoes are rich in healthy fats and nutrients. Basically, they contain monounsaturated fatty acids that add healthy calories and fat to your diet. Also, it is a source of antioxidants and vitamin E.
Fatty Fish: Salmon, mackerel, and sardines are fatty fishes that help you remain healthy and achieve clean bulk. Also, a large dose of omega-3 fatty acids, can improve your joints and cardiovascular health.
Dairy: Full-fat yogurt and cheese help your muscle restore glycogen stores. This helps more in the muscle-building process.
Tips For Effective Bulking
The following are some of the major tips for effective bulking:
Meal Frequency: Eating multiple times a day is important to ensure a good flow of nutrients and faster metabolism. Hence, make sure to eat small multiple times throughout the day.
Caloric Surplus: Always count your calories and your nutrients. For instance, if you see a caloric surplus to support muscle growth, you will have more energy for intense workouts and repairing damaged tissues.
Hydration: Since you are working out and eating a lot, you must stay hydrated. This will support overall health and performance.
Consistency: When you are in your bulking phase, be consistent with your diet and workout. Moreover, make sure to adjust your Intake. For instance, you can tweak calorie and nutrient intake based on progress and goals.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
To ensure efficient bulking, here are some common mistakes you must avoid:
Do not eat too much quickly, as it will get difficult to cut later on.
Make sure there is not a big gap between the two meals.
Getting ample rest will not be helpful for your muscles. Basically, your muscles need to get rest for growth. Hence, it would help if you got enough sleep when you are working out regularly.
Do cardio at least once a week. This helps you increase your appetite and helps you break down your calories faster.
Summing Up
Now you know the best bulking foods to help you grow your muscles and gain muscle weight. However, your nutrient intake and workout must go hand in hand. Only then will you get your desired results.
Do you have more suggestions on the best bulking foods to consume? Please share your ideas and opinions in the comments section below.
Read Also:
From Gym To Workplace: A Complete Guide To Lead A Healthy Lifestyle
What Are the 5 Components of Fitness? – Let’s Find Out
8 Home Gym Systems You’ll Want To Try Out
Our body necessarily needs protein. However, older adults need fewer amounts of protein without totally eliminating it from their diet. Without protein, our bodies will not function well. Besides meat, there are plant-based food alternatives. Protein is essential for our health and useful for people who do workouts and even those who are in recovery.
This kind of diet is helpful for vegans, health enthusiasts, and seniors alike who are avoiding meats in their diets. Here is a list of some food that could be your alternative for meat. Say hello to healthy living.
Seitan
https://stocksnap.io
Seitan or commonly known as wheat gluten, which is composed of 75% protein. With a 100g serving, your daily protein requirement is completed already.
This healthy food is very low in fat and packed with nutrients like being low in sodium and carbohydrates. It can be a good source of calcium and also high in iron.
Seitan is indeed a wonder for diet programs to increase the protein intake without cholesterol and added fat. The only downside of this food is it is not gluten-free as it made from gluten.
Seitan can be cooked like meat - grilled, braised and broiled. You can substitute seitan for chicken or turkey.
Lentils
https://www.pexels.com
The next one on our list is lentils. It contains tons of fibers that give you 26 grams of protein each day. It also contains iron, potassium, and magnesium.
Lentils also are high in folate, contains antioxidants, low in sodium and fat and are cholesterol-free. Eating lentils on a regular basis could add up some proteins and can be beneficial to your diet.
There are two varieties of lentils which are green and red. They are part of the legume family and are versatile that can be used in different meals. You can add lentils in your stews, veggie burgers or even a substitute for chicken breast. Just don’t overuse the serving of lentils as they can cause severe gout in seniors who have trouble in processing protein.
Quinoa
https://stocksnap.io
Quinoa, a tiny seed that is full of protein, provides nine essential amino acids that our body can't produce itself, including lysine that is necessary for tissue repair and growth. It contains fiber, irons, magnesium, and manganese. With just a cup of quinoa, your body is served with 8g of protein.
Cook it like how rice is cooked. It can also be a great substitute for pasta and rice.
Eggs
https://stocksnap.io
Eggs are an excellent substitute for meat if you are not vegan. A large egg contains at least 6g of protein. Eggs are one of the staple food in every house's pantry, which make it the perfect substitute. It contains tons of vitamins and minerals plus amino acids that your body needs.
Boiled, fried or scrambled, eggs are versatile. It's up to you how you'll eat at least two eggs a day.
Tofu
https://www.pexels.com
Tofu is a popular choice for meat alternative and as used in numerous vegetarian cuisine. Though tofu can't compare with seitan or quinoa regarding filling in for the protein loss, relatively, tofu can be a good substitute as it is healthy and beneficial as well.
It can be substituted for fish, chicken or pork, can be grilled, fried, steamed, sauteed, etc.
Takeaway
Eating healthy food can be difficult and giving staple food can make it harder. Knowing and learning alternative food that you can eat without compromising the nutrients that our body needs make it better. The list is a guide to the food that could be a great option to substitute with meat, and that would give the same amount of nutrients or even more.
Read More :
Meals That Matter: The Best Foods And The Ways They Make You Fit
Top 5 Foods For Healthier And Thicker Hair
The Mouthwatering Foodie Tour To Mumbai
Christina Ellis is a writer and a blogger who loves writing about topics that revolve around health and medicine. She is an aspiring nurse which is why Christina loves assisting elderly patients and writing about properly taking care of them. When not writing or volunteering at their local clinic, Christina plays volleyball and goes to the gym.
Is Indian food healthy? – Of course, they are. There are plenty of Indian dishes that are rich in nutrients, spices, and whole foods.
Although there are innumerable gastronomic options, there are many healthier options. In fact, some food recipes are based on Ayurveda, which is Ancient India’s system of medicine.
In this article, you will learn about the nutritional benefits of Indian food and the balanced dietary profile of Indian food. Also, you will learn about the health benefits of Indian food and healthy Indian cooking techniques.
Moreover, you will also learn about common myths about Indian food. Hence, to learn more, read on to the end of the article.
Is Indian Food Healthy?
Indian cuisine has a variety of food options consisting of both healthy and unhealthy options. Here, this article aims to consider only healthy Indian food.
Generally, in Indian food, you will find a blend of diverse flavors and healthy food traditions. In fact, apart from satisfying your taste buds, Indian food will improve your health.
One of the most notable aspects of Indian food is that you will find a rich array of ingredients. Traditionally, the Indian diet uses a variety of whole grains, fruits, legumes, and vegetables.
Interestingly, each of them contributes significantly to health benefits. Whole grains like whole wheat, brown rice, and millet play a significant part in Indian meals.
Apart from that, Indian food items are rich in antioxidants. This is because they have many spices that are full of antioxidants. For example, antioxidants in cloves and ginger contain anti-inflammatory properties. Apart from that, cardamom also contains antioxidants.
Basically, antioxidants are molecules that prevent oxidation damage in your body cells. Moreover, it also reduces when damage is done. Hence, Indians mostly follow a diet that is high in antioxidants. As a result, there are fewer risks of diseases like heart disease and cancer.
Balanced Dietary Profile Of Indian Food
Here is a balanced dietary profile of Indian food that you need to know about:
Food ItemsBalanced Dietary ProfileFruits and VegetablesGenerally, an everyday Indian diet includes 400 grams of vegetables and 100 grams of fruits.Cereals and PulsesEach day, a balanced diet consists of 250 grams of cereals.DiaryA balanced Indian diet consists of 200-250 ml of milk and milk products daily.ProteinIndian food contains 85 grams of protein in the form of eggs, animal protein, and pulses daily.Nuts and Seeds35 grams of nuts and seeds daily also fall under a balanced diet.
To ensure a balanced diet, you must cook your food well and make sure that the food is soft and less salty and spicy. Although Indian food has a lot of spices, the healthy options contain multiple healthy spices in the right amount.
Moreover, when consuming meat, milk, poultry, or any animal protein, make sure they are moderate in number. Furthermore, when you have a balanced diet, you must drink plenty of water and take fewer beverages.
Health Benefits Of Common Indian Ingredients
The following are the health benefits of common Indian food ingredients:
1. Spices
Since ancient times, India is known as the land of spices. Even today, India is the biggest exporter of spices in the world. Moreover, Indian food contains a variety of spices.
Here are some spices and their benefits:
Turmeric: It contains curcumin. This item has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Cumin Seeds: They help in the digestion process and boost the immune system of your body.
Coriander Seeds: These help you to regulate your blood sugar levels.
Cardamom: It helps you to lower blood pressure levels.
Cinnamon: This spice can reduce heart risks.
2. Vegetables, Pulses, And Lentils
Indian foods contain vegetables in food items. These vegetables provide vitamins inside your body. Also, vegetables lower cholesterol and improve vision. Moreover, many pulses contain vitamins A, B, C, and E. Apart from that, they also contain minerals like iron, potassium, and zinc.
On the other hand, lentils and vegetables also promote heart health. This is because they have less saturated fat and high fiber.
3. Whole Grains And High Fiber Foods
Healthy Indian food items contain whole grains like wheat flour and brown rice. These items provide fiber, carbohydrates, and protein.
On the other hand, chickpeas, and other fruits and vegetables help you in the digestion process. Thereby, you can maintain a healthy weight and ensure there are no risks of chronic diseases.
Indian Cooking Techniques And Their Impact On Health
Generally, Indian cooking techniques preserve nutrients in the food items (vegetables, seafood, and meat). On the other hand, there are tempering methods and slow-cooking techniques, with the help of which you can ensure you get all the nutrients in your body.
Here are some of the major Indian healthy cooking techniques that you must know about:
1. Steaming
This is one of the healthiest cooking methods, where you ensure all nutrients in the food stay. Here, you cook the food with minimum water and little to no oil. In this case, you preserve all the vitamins and minerals in vegetables, fish, and meat.
2. Tadka
In this technique, you have to heat spices quickly in a little oil. Then, you have to add them to the main dish. Thereby, you add flavor without increasing the fat content in the food.
3. Dum Cooking
Dum is a slow-cooking method. Basically, you have to seal food in a pot-shaped cooker and add a small amount of liquid. Hence, you can allow flavors to develop inside the food. As a result, there is no need for excessive oil in the food.
4. Grilling
As you might already know, grilling is a simple way to cook vegetables and meat. Meanwhile, with this process, you can retain all the nutrients in the food. Also, you can add a nice-looking character to the food.
5. Pressure Cooking
In this way, you can cook food quickly with a low amount of water. As a result, you preserve most of the nutrients in the food item. Apart from that, this process also helps you to reduce your cooking time.
Why Is Indian Food One of the Healthiest Cuisines in the World?
Indian food is one of the healthiest cuisines in the world. This is because of good reasons. One of the major reasons is that it relies heavily on lentils, whole grains, vegetables, and diverse spices with low health benefits and saturated fats.
As a result, these food items are rich in nutrients and are dense with fibers when prepared with traditional techniques.
The following are some of the major reasons why Indian food items are healthy:
Stable ingredients in Indian food are high in fiber.
Due to India being a large and diverse country, a wide variety of vegetables are available. As a result, all the essential vitamins and minerals are available through food.
Moreover, a variety of spices available in India come with potential health benefits.
Traditional Indian food items use less amount of oil in cooking. Also, they focus mostly on healthy fats like ghee (moderate amount, of course).
Lentils are common in Indian cuisine and offer a complete profile of amino acids.
Many Indian foods feature fermented items like yogurt, which improve your gut health.
The Vegetarian Advantage of Indian Cuisine
India has an extensive variety of dishes full of flavors and delicacies. However, most consist primarily of lentils, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains.
This provides a nutritious, high-fiber, and well-rounded diet for vegetarians. Apart from that, these food items are full of diverse vitamins and many protein sources.
There is a vast array of vegetarian dishes in Indian cuisine. Moreover, due to the high range of species, it enhances the taste and offers potential benefits.
Common Myths About Indian Food Being Unhealthy
Here are some myths about Indian food that you will find common (however, they are just myths):
“Indian food is unhealthy and fatty”: This is a common misconception in the West because most Indian restaurants in Western Countries add a lot of oil and ghee to food items. However, this is not the case in Indian households.
“Indian foods are spicy”: When people think of spices, they align it with the word hot. Actually, India produces a lot of healthy spices. By adding those spices to food, you can make your food healthy.
“Indian desserts are too sweet”: Again, this is a myth as desserts differ with changing regions. Some regions in India create homemade desserts which are actually healthy.
Try Indian Food Now
Is Indian food healthy? – Now you know the answer to this question. You can see that there are multiple myths about Indian food, and they multiply with misinformation on social media.
India is the land of Yoga and Ayurveda. Hence, multiple healthy food options are available if you cook with the right ingredients.
Do you have more information about healthy Indian foods? Please share your opinions in the comments section below.
Read Also:
15 Healthy Mexican Food Items With Immense Health Benefits
Eat Your Heart Out A List Of Restaurants That Are Open On Christmas
Lift Your Home Cooking: Mysteries From HMD Bar And Grill’s Kitchen
