Building muscle on a raw food diet

by Linnea
(Sweden)

Q I am a girl doing strength training in the gym 4-5 days a week and I want to build muscle! Can I build muscle on a raw food diet? How much protein do I need to eat every day? Some special foods you should recommend to those who want to build muscle?

A Yes, it is absolutely possible to build muscle on a raw diet. Everybody’s protein needs are different so you’ll have to settle on what’s right for you after some experimenting. Good to remember that all foods contain protein, even fruit, so during the course of a day one can easily meet protein requirements if consuming a healthy raw diet. The body can only assimilate 20 grams of protein at a time. Every day as the body breaks down old cells it recycles the amino acids using them for building healthy new cells. The amount of protein to consume on a daily basis as we have been told is far higher than what the body actually needs.

Exercise builds muscle as long as you’re taking in more calories than you’re expending. Fruit is an excellent source of energy for the athlete, and greens provide massive minerals and protein for healthy new cells and muscle.

I don’t really feel there are any special foods needed to build muscle. Here is a reply to a question on muscle building that may help with your question.

Cronometer is a great program for tracking calories and nutrients if you don’t already use a program.

All the best to you and please keep me posted as to your progress.