Building Muscle Mass

Consuming an adequate amount of carbohydrates also is an important aspect of building muscle mass. This is because carbohydrates provide the energy needed to fuel a workout session. If the body runs out of stored carbohydrates during an exercise session, it starts to burn protein, and this hinders muscle growth. Remember that complex carbohydrates such as whole grain breads, high fiber cereals, brown rice, and whole wheat pasta digest slowly and provide a sustained source of energy, while simple carbohydrates such as fruits and fruit juices require little digestion and provide a quick source of energy.