A easy carb swap would possibly provide help to unlock extra positive factors.
Final up to date on November seventh, 2024
The world’s finest bodybuilders are famously choosy eaters — in a great way. Bodybuilders depend on meticulously calculated meal prep to gas their muscle-building efforts.
- Oatmeal is a staple meals in most bodybuilders’ diets, however some execs and their coaches go for grits at breakfast as an alternative.
Grits aren’t a bodybuilder’s secret weapon due to their Southern attraction. There are tangible dietary advantages awaiting physique athletes who make the swap.
Living proof: Swapping oatmeal out for grits was one of many first modifications made by legendary bodybuilding coach Hany Rambod when he revamped Jay Cutler’s comeback for the 2009 Mr. Olympia. Right here’s why.
Why Prime Bodybuilders Go for Grits
Rambod joined Cutler on his podcast, Cutlercast, on Oct. 21, 2024, to debate a bit of little bit of the whole lot, together with the result of the 12 months’s Olympia occasion. Alongside the best way, issues bought nostalgic because the duo mentioned their days as coach and consumer.
Rambod touched on his renovation of Cutler’s food regimen and coaching habits after his surprising loss to Dexter “the Blade” Jackson in 2008. On the time, Cutler was on the verge of giving up bodybuilding altogether and had resigned to managing his personal bodybuilding exercises and food regimen.
- “I wished you to eat higher-density carbs with much less fiber,” Rambod mentioned. “I wished you to alter from oatmeal to grits.”
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In case you aren’t from the southeastern U.S. (otherwise you’ve by no means seen My Cousin Vinny), you could be scratching your head. Grits are a sort of porridge made by boiling floor corn in water or milk. Plain grits come out with little taste and a watery, easy-to-chew texture — good for bodybuilders who must devour excessive volumes of meals to bulk up.
- “Phil Heath used grits, Ronnie Coleman used grits,” Rambod continued. “It’s sooner to arrange and never as dense, and since there’s much less fiber, it absorbs sooner.”
Cutler thrived after making the swap, in accordance with Rambod. The following 12 months, a resurgent Cutler, one of many sport’s most iconic trendy execs, established his legacy on the 2009 Mr. Olympia by turning into the primary and solely winner to regain the title after shedding it.
That’s one hell of an endorsement for grits. Do you have to pivot as effectively? Earlier than you determine, let’s check out how grits differ from oatmeal on the vitamin label. These knowledge evaluating 100 grams of plain oatmeal with the identical serving of plain grits are from the USDA’s FoodData Central:
Grits
- Protein: 1.4 grams
- Carbohydrate: 13 grams
- Fiber: 0.6 grams
- Fats: 0.3 grams
- Energy: 59
Oatmeal
- Protein: 2.5 grams
- Carbohydrate: 12 grams
- Fiber: 1.5 grams
- Fats: 1.5 grams
- Energy: 71
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Grits and oatmeal are way more related than they’re totally different, however while you’re one of many world’s best bodybuilders, small selections are an enormous deal. Grits are much less calorie-dense and supply much less dietary fiber, making them straightforward to shovel down and abdomen.
Oatmeal has extra dietary protein, however don’t get it twisted — oats and grits are carbohydrate sources. Cutler, Heath, and Coleman in all probability weren’t consuming them to hit their protein quota. In case you’re bored to bits of your oatmeal-centric breakfast, take into account switching issues up and going for grits as an alternative. It labored wonders for Mr. Quad Stomp, in spite of everything.
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Featured Picture: @philheath / Instagram