Diet is critical in any bodybuilding or fitness regimen. Muscle gains and performance can be offset by not eating the right foods at the right time of the day. Achieve your objective of building lean muscles or losing body fat and get the most out of your workouts by learning some basic nutritional principles used by professional bodybuilders.

Successful athletes and bodybuilders have to monitor their diets constantly and are responsible for creating and following a nutritional plan that matches their training goals, lifestyle and preferences. Eating is normally seen as something that destroys fitness goals. But you just need to understand these basic principles to make your diet work for you in achieving your training goals.

1. Know that some foods are more nutritious than others. It is not enough to monitor your calorie intake; you also have to be conscious about the source of the calories. 200 calories from oatmeal looks the same as 200 calories from sweetened cereals. However, you may not know that oatmeal is the healthier choice. Sweetened cereals will give you energy, but the energy it gives is quickly burned by the body making you crave for more food. The calories from oatmeal are steadily absorbed by the body giving you a constant supply of energy. In addition, oatmeal provides more than just energy to your body because it is also a good source of fiber and protein.

2. Eat at the right time. Nutritionists recommend eating 5-6 light meals at regular intervals in a day to maintain a steady blood sugar level. Developing this habit will keep your appetite in check preventing you from overeating in a meal. Combine this with tip number one above to maintain your energy at the time when you need energy the most - during workouts.

3. Make the most of pre and post-workout 'windows'. What you eat immediately before and after your workout is especially important for bodybuilding or fitness success, because your body will readily absorb or burn up the fuel you provide during these 'peak' times. Eat a high-protein snack before your workout with some healthy carbs to give you enough energy to get through the session. Eat a high-protein meal after your workout, a time when muscles are ready to absorb every calorie that you ingest. By eating the right foods at the right times, you'll actually support your body during the high-stress time of the workout, and then in the recovery and recuperation periods afterwards. Plan your meals accordingly to maximize your results!

Understanding some key principles of nutrition and diet is essential for increasing muscle mass and fine-tuning your results. Take the time to learn these three key principles as you develop a solid training program that works for you.

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